Effects of Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of Chinese herb Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro. METHODS: The study in vitro was carried out in the culture of HSC lines. Various concentrations of Yigan Decoction were added and incubated. Cell proliferation was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy, flow cytometry and TUNEL. RESULTS: The proliferation of HSC was inhibited by Yigan Decoction, which depending on dose and time significantly. The HSC proliferation rates of groups at the end concentrations 144 and 72(g.L(-1)) were 21.62% and 40.54% respectively, significantly lower than that of normal control group(P【0.01). The HSC proliferation rates of groups at the end concentrations 36, 18 and 9(g.L(-1)) were 54.05%, 45.95% and 51.35% respectively, lower than that of control group (P【0.05). When the end concentration was 4.5 g.L(-1), the proliferation rate was 83.78%, which appeared no significant differences compared with control group. At the same concentrations of 18 g.L(-1), the inhibitory effects of Yigan Decoction at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h time point were observed, the effects were time-dependent, and reached a peak at 72 h. Meanwhile, it was showed that the inducing effects of Yigan Decoction on HSC apoptosis were dose-dependent and time-dependent. The apoptosis index(AI) was detected by TUNEL. After Yigan Decoction had been incubated for 48 h at the end concentration of 18 g.L(-1), the AI (14.5+/-3.1)% was significantly higher than that of control group (4.3+/-1.3)% (P【0.01). When visualized under transmission electron microscopy, some apoptotic stellate cells were found, i.e. dilated endoplasmic reticulum, irregular nuclei, chromatin condensation and heterochromatin ranked along inside of nuclear membrane. By flow cytometry detection, after HSC was treated with Yigan Decoction at different concentrations of 36, 18 and 9(g.L(-1)) for 48 h, AI (%) were 13.3+/-3.2, 10.7+/-2.7 and 10.1+/-2.5 respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control group(4.1+/-1.9) (P【0.01). At the same concentration of 18 g. L(-1) for 24h, 48 h and 72 h, AI (%) were 9.3+/-1.8,10.7+/-2.7 and 14.6+/-4.3 respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control group (P【0.01). CONCLUSION: Yigan Decoction could significantly inhibit HSC proliferation and increase the apoptosis index of HSC dose-dependently and time-dependently, which may be related to its mechanism of antifibrosis.

Inhibitive effects of anti-oxidative vitamins on mannitol-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells

Objective: Study blood vessel injury and gene expression indicating vascular endothelial cell apoptosis induced by mannitol with and without administration of anti-oxidative vitamins. Methods: Healthy rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Mannitol was injected into the vein of the rabbit ear in each animal. Pre-treatment prior to mannitol injection was per- formed with normal saline (group B), vitamin C (group C) and vitamin E (group D). Blood vessel injury was assessed under electron and light microscopy. In a second experiment, cell culture specimen of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with mannitol. Pre-treatment was done with normal saline (sample B), vitamin C (sample C) and vitamin E (sample D). Total RNA was extracted with the original single step procedure, followed by hybridisation and analysis of gene expression. Results: In the animal experiment, serious blood vessel injury was seen in group A and group B. Group D showed light injury only, and normal tissue without pathological changes was seen in group C. Of all 330 apoptosis-related genes analysed in human cell culture specimen, no significant difference was seen after pre-treatment with normal saline, compared with the gene chip without pre-treatment. On the gene chip pre-treated with vitamin C, 45 apoptosis genes were down-regulated and 34 anti-apoptosis genes were up-regulated. Pre-treatment with vitamin E resulted in the down-regulation of 3 apoptosis genes. Conclusion: Vitamin C can protect vascular endothelial cells from mannitol-induced injury.

Effect of insulin on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells

BACKGROUND： Insulin receptor （IR） expression in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson disease （PD） is not only significantly lower than that in the substantia nigra of normal persons of the same age, but also significantly lower than that in other regions in brain of himself/herself. It suggests that the abnormal effect of insulin receptor-mediated insulin, as a neurotrophic factor, is very possibly related to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum in patients with Parkinson disease. OBJECTIVE ： TO observe the interventional effect of insulin on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion （MPP^＋）-induced apoptosis of PC12. DESIGN： Controlled observation SETTINGS： Department of Neurology, Beijing China-Japan Friendship Hospital; Department of Neurology Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. MATERIALS： PC12 cells were provided by the Cell Bank, Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Science. MPP^＋, MTT, HOECHST 33258 （Invitrogen Life Technologies）, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） reagent （Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd.）, flow cytometer （Bacton Dickionson, San Jose, CA）, enzyme labelling instrument （Bio-Tek, Winooski, VT） and PCR circulation instrument （Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd） were used in this study. METHODS ： This study was carried out in the Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University during June 2003 to August 2004. （1） Cell culture and experimental grouping： PC12 cells were cultured according to the method from Peng et al, then were randomized into 3 groups; blank control group, MPP^＋ group and insulin group. （2） Detection of relative survival rate of cells： The relative survival rate of cells at different MPP^＋ final concentrations （0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 1 000 μmol/L） and at different culture time （0, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24 hours） in the 300 Fmol/L MPP^＋ group and different concentrations of insulin （0, 15, 50, 100 nmol/L） in the insulin group was detected with MTT method according to the method from Hansen et al. （3） Observation of cell apoptosis： After stained by HOECHST 33258, the apoptotic cells were observed under the fluorescence miscroscope with the method from Chen et al. （4） Dection of apoptotic rate of cells： Apoptotic rate of cells was detected with flow cytometry according to the method from Zhang et al. （5） The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） mRNA in PC12 cells was detected with RT-PCR methods according to the modified method from Peng et al. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： Comparison of relative survival rate, apoptosis rate, the expression of IR mRNA and TH mRNA and cell apoptosis. RESULTS： （1） After 12-hour incubation of 100, 200, 300 and 1 000 μmol/L MPP^＋, the relative survival rate of PC12 cells was （72.88±2.91）%, （60.64±0.81）%, （54.56±0.76）% and （16.89±2.83）%, respectively, which was significantly lower than that of blank control group （100%, P 〈 0.05）; After 12, 18 and 24-hour incubation, the relative survival rate of PC12 cells was （54.56±0.76）%, （42.43±0.16）% and （23.56±0.17）% respectively, which was significantly lower than that of blank control group （100%, P〈 0.05）; When 15, 50 and 100 nmol/L insulin was pre-added to cells, the relative survival rate was （70.10±0.16）%, （78.01 ±2.43）% and （83.55±1.43）%, respectively, which was significantly higher than MPP^＋ alone [（54.56±0.76）%, P 〈 0.05]. （2） Appototic bodies were rarely seen in the blank control group, but densely gathered in the MPP^＋ group and were significantly decreased in the insulin group. （3） Apoptosis rate of PC12 cells in the MPP^＋ group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group [（36.56±0.89）% vs. （2.34±0.23）%, P〈 0.05], and that in the 15, 50, 100 nmol/L insulin group [（30.01±0.04）%, （24.23±0.37）%, （20.01 ±1.01）%, respectivelyl was significantly lower than that in MPP^＋ group （P 〈 0.05）. （4） The TH mRNA expression in PC12 cells in MPP^＋ group was significantly lower than that in blank control group; The expression of TH mRNA in insulin group was gradually increased in an insulin dose-dependent manner. There were no significant changes in the expression of IR mRNA under different experimental conditions. CONCLUSION： Insulin can resist MPP^＋-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells, lessen the damage of PC12 cells, but does not change the gene expression of target cell insulin receptor.

Effects of Low Concentrations of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) and Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Steroidogenesis Pathways and Apoptosis in the Murine Leydig Tumor Cell Line MLTC-1

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low concentrations of DEHP and MEHP on steroidogenesis in a murine Leydig tumor cell line （MLTC-1） in vitro. The result of flow cytometry analysis revealed that the proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly increased after the exposure to DEHP. All three genes （P450scc, P450c17, and 38HSD） under study showed an increased expression following exposure to DEHP or MEHP, although some insignificant inhibitory effects appeared in the 10μmol/L treatment group as compared with the controls. It was also found that DEHP or MEHP stimulated INSL3 mRNA and protein especially in the 0.001 μmol/L treatment group. Testosterone secretions were stimulated after the exposure to DEHP or MEHP. Alterations of steroidogenic enzymes and INSL3 in MLTC-1 cells might be involved in the biphasic effects of DEHP/MEHP on androgen production.

EXPRESSION AND REVERSION OF DRUG RESISTANCE-AND APOPTOSIS-RELATED GENES OF A DDP-RESISTANT LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA CELL LINE

Objective: To investigate the co-expression of drug resistance- and apoptosis-related genes of cisplatin (CDDP)-selected lung adenocarcinoma cell line A 549 DDP for compared to the parental cell line A549, and reverse of drug resistance by antisense s-oligodeoxynucleotides (S-ODNs) of differentially expressed genes. Methods: Sense and antisense S-ODN were transferred into A 549 DDP cells by lipofectin. The expression of drug resistance and apoptosis related genes was examined by RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively. Apoptostic cells were identified by DNA electrophoresis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated biotin dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL). Drug resistance of tumor cells was detected by a cell viability (MTT) assay. Results: The expression of bcl-2 was positive and that of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) at mRNA and protein level was increased in A 549 DDP compared to A549 cells. MDR1, c-myc and topoisomeras II (TOPO II) were similarly co-expressed in two cell lines. Both cell lines were negative for c-erbB-2 expression. In A 549 DDP cells, the expression of bcl-2 and MRP was significantly inhibited by their respective antisense S-ODNs. Antisense S-ODNs could also decrease significantly drug resistance of A 549 DDP cells to CDDP by promoting cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Both intrinsic and acquired drug resistance were involved in co-expression of multiple MDR-related genes in lung adenocarcinoma. Cooperation of bcl-2 and MRP genes appeared to play an important action to confer the resistance of A 549 DDP cells to CDDP. Their antisense S-ODNs are responsible for the decrease of drug resistance of this cell line by promoting apoptosis.

Effect of Octadecadienoic Acid on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Glioma Cells and Its Mechanism

[Objectives] To explore the inhibitory effect of octadecadienoic acid (ODA) on proliferation and apoptosis of glioma cells and its mechanism. [Methods] Cultured human glioma cells (cell density 2×10^(6) cells/L) were divided into three groups: solvent control group (DMSO, 30 μL/L), 5-FU group (10 mg/L) and octadecadienoic acid group (0.3, 0.6, 1.2 mg/L). The toxic effects of ODA on glioma cells were detected by trypan blue and thiazolium blue (MTT). The expression of P53, PI3K, P21, PKB/Akt and caspase-9 protein in glioma cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). [Results] The cell count under optical microscope showed that the inhibition rate of cell proliferation in low, medium and high dose ODA groups and 5-FU group was significantly higher than that in solvent control group ( P <0.01), but there was no significant difference compared with 5-FU group ( P >0.05). The results of MTT showed that compared with the solvent control group, the inhibition rate of cell proliferation in low, medium and high dose ODA groups and 5-FU group significantly increased ( P <0.01);compared with 5-FU group, the inhibition rate of cell proliferation in high dose ODA group significantly increased ( P <0.01). The results of flow cytometry showed that compared with the solvent control group, the number of cells in G_(0)/G_(1) phase increased significantly ( P <0.05, P <0.01), the number of cells in G_(2)/M phase decreased significantly ( P <0.01) and the apoptosis rate increased significantly ( P <0.01) in the low, medium and high dose ODA groups and 5-FU group;compared with 5-FU group, the number of cells in G_(2)/M phase decreased significantly ( P <0.01) and the apoptosis rate increased significantly ( P <0.01) in ODA group. ELISA testing results showed that the expression levels of P53, P13K and PKB/Akt in low, medium and high dose ODA groups and 5-FU group were significantly lower than those in solvent control group ( P <0.01), and only the expression level of protein in high dose ODA group was significantly lower than that in 5-FU group ( P <0.01);the expression levels of P21 and caspase-9 in low, medium and high dose ODA groups and 5-FU group were significantly higher than those in solvent control group ( P <0.05, P <0.01), but the expression level of protein in high dose ODA group was significantly higher than that in 5-FU group ( P <0.01). [Conclusions] ODA can obviously inhibit the proliferation of glioma cells and induce apoptosis. The mechanism is related to up-regulation of P21, caspase-9, down-regulation of P53, PI3K, PKB/Akt, inhibition of cell division cycle and decrease of PI3K-Akt signal transduction pathway.

Modulating effects of survivin antisense oligonucleotide on changes of apoptosis and cell cycle of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721

To investigate the modulating effects of survivn antisense oligonucletode (ASODN) on the cell cycle and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 and explore its mechanism.Methods Survivin ASODN was transfected into SMMC-7721 cells mediated by DOTAP liposomal reagent.Electron microscopy,flow cytometry and RT-PCR were used to detect the changes in cell ultrastructure,apoptosis,cell cycle and the expression of cyclinB1 mRNA,respectively.Results After transfection of survivin ASODN,the expression of cyclinB1 mRNA in the cells significantly increased and increase in G2-M arrest and apoptosis appeared.Meanwhile,the cell ultrastructure had apoptotic changes such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation.Conclusion Survivin ASODN can induce the expression of cyclinB1 that may result in G2-M arrest.Consequently,apoptosis is triggered.Survivin ASODN transfection might be an improtant new treatment for HCC.14 refs,2 figs,1 tab.

Effect and mechanism of adrenomedullin on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell in rats induced by renal ischemia reperfusion injury

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of adrenomedullin ( AM ) on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell in rats induced by renal ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group,IRI group, empty plasmid group and AM group. One week after re-

Antiproliferation and apoptosis induction of paeonol in HepG_2 cells

AIM： To investigate the antiproliferative effect of paeonol （Pae） used alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents [cisplatin （CDDP）, doxorubicin （DOX） and 5-fluorouracil （5-FU）] on human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and the possible mechanisms. METHODS： The cytotoxic effect of drugs on HepG2 cells was measured by 3-（4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl）-2, 5-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide （MTT） assay. Morphologic changes were observed by acridine orange （AO） fuorescence staining. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry （FCM）. Drug-drug interactions were analyzed by the coefficient of drug RESULTS： Pae （7.81-250 mg/L） had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with the IC50 value of （104.77±7.28） mg/L. AO fluorescence staining and FCM assays showed that Pae induced apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at S phase in HepG2 cells. Further, different extent synergisms were observed when Pae （15.63, 31.25, 62.5 rag/L） was combined with CDDP （0.31-2.5 mg/L）, DOX （0.16-1.25 mg/L）, or 5-FU （12.5-100 mg/L） at appropriate concentrations. The IC50 value of the three drugs decreased dramatically when combined with Pae （P 〈 0.01）. Of the three different combinations, the sensitivity of cells to drugs was considerably different.CONCLUSION： Pae had a significant growth-inhibitory effect on the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, which may be related to apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. It also can enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents on HepG2 cells, and the S phase arrest induced by Pae may be one of the mechanisms of these interactions.

Studies on apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in normal fertile men treated with supraphysiological doses of testosterone undecanoate

Aim: To study the anti-spermatogenic mechanism of supra-physiological doses of testosterone undecanoate (TU).Methods: Twenty fertile adult men received four intramuscular injections of TU at monthly intervals, 1000 mg uponadmission and 500 mg for the subsequent injections. The apoptotic germ cells in the semen were studied under light mi-croscope with tenninal deoxynucleotidyl tmnsferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Wright-Giem-sa staining methods. Results: After treatment, the sperm density and the number of spermatogenic cells in the semenwere significantly decreased ( P < 0.01), while the apoptotic ratios of spermatocytes and spermatids increased significantly( P <0.01) as compared with the pretreatment levels. Apoptosis was found to be augmented in the whole series of castoffspennatogenic cells. Conclusion: Besides its suppressive effect on spermatogenesis through a negative feed-backmechanism, TU enhances apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, which may be an additional mechanism of its anti-spermato-genic activity. ( Asian J Androl 1999 Sep; 1: 155 - 158)

ANALYSIS OF APOPTOSIS BY DNA END LABELING METHOD (TDT) IN LEUKEMIA CELL LINES HL-60 AND U937

Antitumor-drug-indnced apoptosis in leukemia cell lines HL-60 and U937 was quantitatively analyzed with TDT (terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling) approach, which allows to labal the ends of DNA broken strands in apoptotic cells by biotinlated dUTP which to avidin-FITC. In this way the apoptotic cells show nuorescent when the labeling cells were emitted by UV light microscope or laser-activated now cell sorting at r=480. In our study, HL-6o and U937 cell lines were cocultured respectively with cisdiaminodicaicroplatinum (CDDP), hydroxycamptothecinum (HCT) and vindesini sulfa (VCR) for 18 hours.By calculating percentages of apoptotic cells with TDT mothod, we were able to show that the two cell lines gave different sensitivity to the drugs. HL-60 showed high sensitivity to CDDP but U937 cells were more sensitive to other two drugs, HCT and VCR. Meanwhile we compared the results of obtained by DNA gel electrophoresis with that by TDT. We found that gel electrophoresis is not sensitive enough to reveal apoptosis since there was no ladder structure, a typical electrophoresis pattern for apoptosis, appeared until the apoptotic cells reached or over 13%. And we report in this paper as first time that three forms of apoptotic cells could be detected under fluorescent microscope, which we called as spot form and crescent form and assembling form in terms of distribution of light spots within cell nuclei. It seemed that the spot form was at an early stage of apoptosis and the crescent form rcprtscntcd a later stage of apoptosis.

Neutron-induced apoptosis of HR8348 cells in vitro

INTRODUCTIONTo date ,the major therapy for rectal carcinoma is extensive abdomino-perineal resection[1]. Unfortunately ,after resection of rectal carcinoma ,many patients still die of blood-borne metastases ,usually in the liver or lungs ,or local prlvic recurrence[2,3],which is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with rectal carcinoma .Pre-or postoperative radiotherapy can reduce the incidence of local rdcurrence[4-7].

Local anesthetic lidocaine induces apoptosis in human corneal stromal cells in vitro

AIM:To demonstrate the apoptosis-inducing effect of iidocalne on human corneal stromal(HCS)cells fn vitm,and provide experimental basis for safety anesthetic usage In clinic of ophthalmology.METHODS:In vitro cultured HCS cells were treated with lidocaine at different doses and times,and their morphology was monitored successively with inverted phase contrast microscopy.The membrane permeability of them was detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide(AO/EB)double staining.The DNA fragmentation of them was examined by agarose gel electrophoresis,and their ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),respectively.RESULTS:Exposure to lidocaine at doses from0.3125g/L to 20g/L induced morphological changes of HCS cells such as cytoplasmic vacuolation,cellular shrinkage,and turning round,and elevated membrane permeability of these cells in AO/EB staining.The change of morphology and membrane permeability was doseand time-dependent,while lidocaine at dose below0.15625g/L could not induce these changes.Furthermore,lidocaine induced DNA fragmentation and ultrastructural changes such as cytoplasmic vacuolation,structural disorganization,chromatin condensation,and apoptotic body appearance of the cells.CONCLUSION:Lidocaine has significant cytotoxicity on human corneal stromal cells in vitro in a dose-and time-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis of these cells.The established experimental model and findingsbased on this model here help provide new insight into the apoptosis-inducing effect of local anesthetics in eye clinic.

Transretinoic acid inhibits rats gastric epithelial dysplasia induced by N-methyi-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine:influences on cell apoptosis and expression of its regulatory genes

INTRODUCTIONGastric epithelial dysplasia (GED) hypothetically is a straight-forward concept: dysplastic epithelium replacing the normal gastric epithelium of the stomach [1].In the stomach ,like any other segment of the gut ,it is defined as an unequivocal non-invasive epithelial change[2,3].The observation of gastric dysplasia as a cancerous lesion was recognized over a century ago ,but it is only after the advent of gastroscopy that its clinical significance has been stressed[4-7].

Neuroprotective Effects of Bushen Decoction Against Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity in PC12 Cells

Aim The enhanced effect of Bushen (Kidney-tonifying) decoction (BS) oncultured PC12 cell proliferation and its antagonistic action on neurotoxicity induced by glutamatewere investigated by serum pharmacological method of the Chinese material medica (CMM) in vitro.Methods The effect of BS on cultured PC12 cell activity and its antagonistic action on neurotoxicityinduced by glutamate was observed by MTT method. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopetechniques were employed to observe the antagonistic effect of BS on early period apoptosis of PC12cells induced by glutamate. Results The serum with BS was able to enhance activity of PC12 cells andexert antagonistic effect on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Meanwhile, these beneficial effectsproduced by BS were found to be the strongest in 20% concentration of in serum BS. Moreover, it caninhibit apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by glutamate , which occurs in the early period. ConclusionBS may exert a potential neuroprotective effect.

Antitumor effects of artesunate on human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells and IGF-IR expression in nude mice xenografts

Purpose： The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effects and analyze the mechanism of artesunate （ART） action on breast cancer in vivo using tumor transplanted nude mice. Methods： The human breast tumor cell line MCF-7 was transplanted into nude mice, and the animals were treated with various doses of ART alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide （CTX） or normal saline （NS）. The tumor inhibitory effects were observed and compared, and the ultrastructural morphology of the transplanted tumor cells was observed by electron microscopy. The apoptosis rates and cell cycle status were detected by flow cytometry （FCM）. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins p53, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry and IGF-IR was detected by western blot. The expression correlation for these proteins was also analyzed. Results： The tumor inhibition rates in the low dose ART group, high dose ART group, CTX group and combined drug therapy group were （24.39±10.20）%, （40.24±7.02）%, （57.01±5.84）% and （68.29±5.1）%, respectively. The cell cycle was arrested in phase G0/Gt after treatment with ART. The expression of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced, and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly increased in the ART group compared to the negative control saline group. There was no significant difference detected in p53 expression. The Bcl-2 level was negatively related to Bax and Caspase-3. The western blotting results showed IGF-IR downregulation. Conclusions： ART inhibits the growth of MCF-7 breast tumor cell xenografts in nude mice. The anti-tumor mechanism of ART for human breast carcinoma in nude mice might be correlated with the alteration of apoptosis related protein expression, which may further induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation.

Inhibitory effect of acetylshikonin on human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901 in vitro and in vivo

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of acetylshikonin on human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901 and its mechanism. METHODS:MTT assay was used to assess the inhibitory effect of acetylshikonin on proliferation of SGC-7901 cells.Apopt osis-inducing effect was determined by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling with Hoechst staining.Expression of mRNA and protein in Bcl-2 and Bax was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Antitumor effect of acetylshikonin on a mouse SGC-7901 model was also determined. RESULTS:Forty-eight hours after treatment with acetylshikonin,MTT assay showed that acetylshikonin inhibited the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a dose-dependent manner.The half maximal inhibitory concentration of acetylshikonin to SGC-7901 cells was 0.428±0.07 mg/L.Cell shrinkage,nuclear pyknosis and chromatin condensation,which are the characteristics of cell apoptosis,were observed in treated SGC-7901 cells and the percentage of apoptosis increased in a dose-dependent manner.Acetylshikonin downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax in the treated SGC-7901 cells compared with the controls.The experiment in vivo showed that 0.5,1,and 2 mg/kg of acetylshikonin significantly inhibited the growth of tumor in the mouse SGC-7901 model,with an inhibitory rate of 25.00%-55.76%. CONCLUSION:Acetylshikonin inhibits the growth of SGC-7901 cells in vitro and in vivo by inducing cell apoptosis.

Protective effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell vein transplantation against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND： The majority of studies addressing spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury （SCIRI） have focused on drugs, proteins, cytokines, and various surgical techniques. A recent study reports that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell （hUCMSC） transplantation achieves good therapeutic effects, but the mechanisms underlying nerve protection remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To observe survival of transplanted hUCMSCs in SCIRI rat models and the influence on motor function in the hind limbs, to determine interleukin-8 expression and cellular apoptosis in spinal cord tissues, and to verify the hypothesis that hUCMSC transplantation exhibits protective effects on SCIRI. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of the Department of Orthopedics in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China between January 2007 and December 2008. MATERIALS： hUCMSCs were harvested from umbilical cord blood of healthy pregnant women after parturition in the Obstetrical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China. Rabbit anti-human BrdU monoclonal antibody was provided by DAKO, USA. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） Kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） Kit were purchased by Wuhan Boster, China. METHODS： A total of 72 healthy, Wistar, adult rats were randomly assigned to three groups： sham-surgery, model, and transplantation, with 24 rats in each group. SCIRI was induced in the model and transplantation groups via the abdominal aorta block method. The infrarenal abdominal aorta was not blocked in the sham-surgery group. Prior to abdominal aorta occlusion, 0.2 03 mL bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU）-Iabeled hUCMSCs suspension （cell concentration 5 × 10 3/uL） was injected through the great saphenous vein of the hind limb, and an equal volume of physiological saline was administered to the model and sham-surgery groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Pathological observation of rat spinal cord tissues was performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-surgery. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine hUCMSCs survival in the spinal cord. The amount of cellular apoptosis and interleukin-8 expression in spinal cord tissues was assayed utilizing the TUNEL and ELISA methods, respectively. Motor function in the hind limbs was evaluated according to Jacob＇s score. RESULTS： Numerous BrdU-positive cells were observed in spinal cord tissues from the transplantation group. The number of apoptotic cells and interleukin-8 levels significantly decreased in the transplantation group （P 〈 0.05）, pathological injury was significantly ameliorated, and motor function scores significantly increased （P 〈 0.05） compared with the model group. CONCLUSION： Via vein transplantation, hUCMSCs were shown to reach and survive in the injury area. Results suggested that the transplanted hUCMSCs contributed to significantly improved pathological changes in the injured spinal cord, as well as motor function, following SCIRI. The protective mechanism correlated with inhibition of cellular apoptosis and reduced production of inflammatory mediators.

Protective effects of organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla against hydrogen peroxide-induced cvtotoxicitv in PC12 cells

Alpinia oxyphylla,a traditional herb,is widely used for its neuroprotective,antioxidant and memory-improving effects.However,the neuroprotective mechanisms of action of its active ingredients are unclear.In this study,we investigated the neuroprotective effects of various organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla on PC12 cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury in vitro.Alpinia oxyphylla was extracted three times with 95%ethanol(representing extracts 1–3).The third 95%ethanol extract was dried and resuspended in water,and then extracted successively with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and n-butanol(representing extracts 4–6).The cell counting kit-8 assay and microscopy were used to evaluate cell viability and observe the morphology of PC12 cells.The protective effect of the three ethanol extracts(at tested concentrations of 50,100 and 200μg/mL)against cytotoxicity to PC12 cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner.The ethyl acetate,petroleum ether and n-butanol extracts(each tested at 100,150 and 200μg/mL)had neuroprotective effects as well.The optimum effective concentration ranged from 50–200μg/mL,and the protective effect of the ethyl acetate extract was comparatively robust.These results demonstrate that organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla protect PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide.Our findings should help identify the bioactive neuroprotective components in Alpinia oxyphylla.

Targeted inhibition of Notch1 gene enhances the killing effects of Paclitaxel on triple-negative breast cancer cells

Objective:To study the influence of targeted inhibition of Notch1 gene on the killing effects of Paclitaxel on triple-negative breast cancer cells.Methods:The triple-negative [estrogen receptor(ER)/progesterone receptor(PR)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(Her2)] breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and ER/PR/HER-2-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 were cultured,transfected with Notch1-si RNA-overexpression plasmid and blank plasmid,and treated with different concentrations of paclitaxel,and then the cell proliferation activity and apoptosis rate as well as the m RNA expression of Caspase-3,Caspase-9 and Bcl-2 were determined.Results:Paclitaxel could decrease the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell proliferation activity as well as Bcl-2 mRNA expression,and increase MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell apoptosis rate as well as Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA expression in dosedependent manners;with the same dose of paclitaxel treatment,the inhibitory effects on MDAMB-231 cell proliferation activity and Bcl-2 m RNA expression as well as the promoting effects on MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis and mR NA expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were weaker than those on MCF-7 cell;after 0.5 μM paclitaxel combined with Notch1-siRNA treatment,MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation activity and Bcl-2 mRNA expression were significantly lower than those after 0.5 μM paclitaxel combined with control plasmid treatment while cell apoptosis rate and mR NA expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were higher than those after 0.5 μM paclitaxel combined with control plasmid treatment.Conclusions:Targeted inhibition of Notch1 gene may enhance the killing effects of paclitaxel on triple-negative breast cancer cells by up-regulating the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 and inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2.