Rhizoma paridis saponins protected against liver injury in diethylnitrosamine-induced mice

Background:Diethylnitrosamine,one of food additives,possessed a strong carcinogenic effect in human.Rhizoma paridis saponins,as the main active components of Paris polyphylla,have a good anti-cancer effect in our previous research.To verify their inhibitory effect on diethylnitrosamine-induced liver cancer,we carried out this study.Methods:We established diethylnitrosamine-induced mouse hepatocarcinoma models to evaluate antitumor of Rhizoma paridis saponins.Subsequently,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied to analyze the metabolites in the urine and serum samples.Results:Rhizoma paridis saponins alleviated diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.On the one hand,Rhizoma paridis saponins down-regulated the levels of liver function markers,such as alanine aminotransferase,aspartate transaminase and alpha fetoprotein.On the other hand,Rhizoma paridis saponins reduced metabolic disorders by increasing fructose and mannose metabolism,and decreasing pentose and glucuronate interconversion,inositol phosphate metabolism,and the process of saturated fatty acids transforming to unsaturated fatty acids,which based on the regulating mRNA expression of glucose transporter type 4,lactate dehydrogenase A,fatty acid synthetas,acetyl-CoA carboxylase and apolipoprotein A-I.Conclusion:Rhizoma paridis saponins has the potential application to inhibit chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the future.

Progression of diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic carcinogenesis in carnitine-depleted rats

AIM:To investigate whether carnitine deficiency is a risk factor during the development of diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced hepatic carcinogenesis. METHODS:A total of 60 male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups with 10 animals in each group.Rats in group 1(control group)received a single intraperitoneal(i.p.)injection of normal saline. Animals in group 2(carnitine-supplemented group) were given L-carnitine(200 mg/kg per day)in drinking water for 8 wk.Animals in group 3(carnitine-depleted group)were given D-carnitine(200 mg/kg per day)and mildronate(200 mg/kg per day)in drinking water for 8 wk.Rats in group 4(DENA group)were injected with a single dose of DENA(200 mg/kg,i.p.)and 2 wk later received a single dose of carbon tetrachloride(2 mL/kg) by gavage as 1:1 dilution in corn oil.Animals in group 5(DENA-carnitine depleted group)received the same treatment as group 3 and group 4.Rats in group 6 (DENA-carnitine supplemented group)received the same treatment as group 2 and group 4.RESULTS:Administration of DENA resulted in a significant increase in alanine transaminase(ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase(G-GT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),total bilirubin,thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)and total nitrate/ nitrite(NOx)and a significant decrease in reduced glutathione(GSH),glutathione peroxidase(GSHPx), catalase(CAT)and total carnitine content in liver tissues.In the carnitine-depleted rat model,DENA induced a dramatic increase in serum ALT,G-GT,ALP and total bilirubin,as well as a progressive reduction in total carnitine content in liver tissues.Interestingly, L-carnitine supplementation resulted in a complete reversal of the increase in liver enzymes,TBARS and NOx,and a decrease in total carnitine,GSH,GSHPx, and CAT induced by DENA,compared with the control values.Histopathological examination of liver tissues confirmed the biochemical data,where L-carnitine prevented DENA-induced hepatic carcinogenesis while D-carnitine-mildronate aggravated DENA-induced hepatic damage. CONCLUSION:Data from this study suggest for the first time that:(1)carnitine deficiency is a risk factor and should be viewed as a mechanism in DENA- induced hepatic carcinogenesis;(2)oxidative stress plays an important role but is not the only cause of DENA-induced hepatic carcinogenesis;and(3) long-term L-carnitine supplementation prevents the development of DENA-induced liver cancer.

Promotive action of 2-acetylaminofluorene on hepatic precancerous lesions initiated by diethylnitrosamine in rats:Molecular study

BACKGROUND Diethylnitrosamine(DEN)induces hepatic neoplastic lesions over a prolonged period.AIM To investigate the promotive action of 2-acetylaminofluorene(2-AAF)when combined with DEN in order to develop a rat model for induction of precancerous lesion and investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the activity of 2-AAF.METHODS The pre-precancerous lesions were initiated by intraperitoneal injection of DEN for three weeks consecutively,followed by one intraperitoneal injection of 2-AAF at three different doses(100,200 and 300 mg/kg).Rats were separated into naïve,DEN,DEN+100 mg 2-AAF,DEN+200 mg 2-AAF,and DEN+300 mg 2-AAF groups.Rats were sacrificed after 10 wk and 16 wk.Liver functions,level of alpha-fetoprotein,glutathione S-transferase-P and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining of liver tissues were performed.The mRNA level of RAB11A,BAX,p53,and Cyclin E and epigenetic regulation by long-noncoding RNA(lncRNA)RP11-513I15.6,miR-1262(microRNA),and miR-1298 were assessed in the sera and liver tissues of the rats.RESULTS 2-AAF administration significantly increased the percent area of the precancerous foci and cell proliferation along with a significant decrease in RAB11A,BAX,and p53 mRNA,and the increase in Cyclin E mRNA was associated with a marked decrease in lncRNA RP11-513I15.6 expression with a significant increase in both miR-1262 and miR-1298.CONCLUSION 2-AFF promoted hepatic precancerous lesions initiated through DEN by decreasing autophagy,apoptosis,and tumor suppression genes,along with increased cell proliferation,in a time-and dose-dependent manner.These actions were mediated under the epigenetic regulation of lncRNA RP11-513I15.6/miR-1262/miR-1298.

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF GREEN TEA, COFFEE AND LEVAMISOLE ON THE HEPATOCARCINOGENIC ACTION OF DIETHYLNITROSAMINE

The present study aimed at clarifying whether Chinese green tea, coffee and levamisole (LMS) have similar Inhibitory effect on hepatocarclnogenesis induced by diethylnltrosamine (DEN) as they had been proved in our previous aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) experiments. Male Wistar rates were divided into control (A), green tea (B), coffee (C) and levamisole (D) groups. All rats received the same basic DEN treatment according to the program originally designed by Solt and Farber. During the two weeks before and one week after i. p. injection of DEN, the group B, C and D were given 2. 5% green tea, 5% coffee and 0. 1% LMS diet, respectively. The results demonstrated that coffee, LMS and , in particular,green tea showed Inhibitory effect against DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating that green tea can be used as chemopreventive agent for DEN-, as well as for AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Short and Long Term Effects of Pomegranate （Punica Granatum） Extracts on Apoptosis in Rat Kidney Induced by Diethylnitrosamine and Phenobarbital

Pomegranate （Punica granatum L.） has strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti obesity, and anticancer effects. The effect of different pomegranate extracts, PE （peel extract）, SOE （seed oil extract）, and PJ （pomegranate juice） extract on levels of kidney caspase-3, DNAF （DNA fragmentation） and kidney function tests in rats treated and untreated with DEN （diethyl nitrosamine） and PB （Phenobarbital） during short （35 days） and long （154 days） period was studied. Injected of rats with DEN and PB caused an increased in the levels ofDNAF, caspase-3 and kidney function tests, compared to the control in both period of study. Treatment of rats with PE, SOE, PJ pre, during, and post DEN and PB administration improved kidney function and decreased the levels of DNAF, and caspase-3 activities compared to the DEN group in both period of study, indicates that PE, SOE, PJ reduced and treatment apoptosis induced by DEN and PB. Treatment of healthy rats with PE, SOE, and PJ only for 35 days not increased kidney function or induced apoptosis for kidney tissues. Treatment with PJ alone in healthy kidney induced apoptosis which was higher than that induced by SOE and PE in case of long period study, this mean that fresh fruit or pomegranate juice safe for healthy in general at harvesting season only.

Ethanol Extract of Phellinus merrillii Protects against Diethylnitrosamine- and 2-Acetylaminofluorene-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats

Objective： To study whether the ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii（EPM） has chemopreventive potential against liver carcinogenesis. Methods： Thirty male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, EPM control group, hepatocarcinoma control group, low-dose EPM group and high-dose EPM group, 6 in each group. Using the Solt and Farber protocol in a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis, the chemopreventive effect of EPM on diethylnitrosamine（DEN）-initiated, 2-acetylaminofluorene（2-AAF） and partial hepatectomy（PH）-promoted liver carcinogenesis in rats was evaluated. Basic pathophysiological and histological examinations, together with the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase（s GOT）, glutamic pyruvic transaminase（s GPT） and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase（γ-GT） were measured. Results： Treatment of EPM at the concentration of 2 g/kg body weight in the diet for 8 weeks clearly prevented the development of carcinogenesis and reduced the levels of s GOT, s GPT, and serum γ-GT of rats as compared with the hepatocarcinoma control group（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. These phenotypes were accompanied by a significant increase in natural killer cell activity. Conclusion： EPM showed a strong liver preventive effect against DEN＋2-AAF＋PH-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model.

Kupffer cell and apoptosis in experimental HCC

INTRODUCTION Our previous study has proved that Kupffer cellsmay have an inhibitory effect on the process ofhepatocarcinogenesis,however,their inhibitorymechanism needs exploring deeply.We performed acomparative study on the expression of PCNA,Bax,P53 and apoptosis of liver cancer cells usingimmunohistochemical technology and terminaldeoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediateddUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling(TUNEL)

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF BOSCHNIAKIA ROSSICA ON DEN-INDUCED PRECANCEROUS HEPATIC FOCI AND ITS ANTIOXIDATIVE ACTIVITIES IN RATS

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Boschniakia rossica (BR) on rat precancerous hepatic foci induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and its antioxidative activities. Methods: The expression of tumor marker—placental form glutathione S-transferase (GST-P), p53 and p21 protein were investigated by immunohistochemistry techniques using ABC method. TNF-α was measured by ELISA and antioxidative activities of SOD, MDA, GSH-Px, GST and CAT were investigated by colorimetric method in rat serum and mitochondria of liver cells. Results: The 500 mg/kg of BR-H2O extract fraction from BR-methanol extract had inhibitory effect on the formation of DEN-induced GST-P-positive foci in rat liver and the expression of mutant p53 and p21 protein was lower than that of hepatic precancerous lesions. The serum TNF-α was increased by the administration of BR extract in the early stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rat livers. The serum and liver cells mitochondria activities of SOD and GSH-Px rose again in rats administered with BR-H2O extract and the increasing activity of GST and content of MDA in the hepatic precancerous were decreased by the BH-H2O extract. Conclusion: These results indicated that BR-H2O extract has inhibitory effect on DEN-induced precancerous hepatic foci in rats and induced TNF-α production in rats. The antioxidative action was exhibited by the administration of BR-H2O extract in the early stage of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in rat livers.

Preliminary Investigation on Regulating Effects of Different TCM Treatments on Transcription of the Correlated Genes of Liver Cancer in Rats

The regulating effects of TCM treatments including clearing away heat and toxic materials,promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,and strengthening the spleen and regulating qi on the oncogene transcription were observed in the liver cancer model rats.The preliminary results indicated that the mRNA levels of H-ras N-ras and K-ras,and signal molecules correlated with the ras/MAPK signal transduction pathway were down-regulated by the different TCM treatments in varying degrees.Also,the regulating effects of the treatments on differently-displayed genes were discrepant.It is suggested that the molecular mechanisms of the TCM treatments for liver cancer was complex with different target genes.

A modified rat model for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Rat hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) model which has a high analogy to clinical liver cancer is of great value in understanding the pathogenesis and evolution of liver cancer, in searching effective anti-cancer treat- ments ( drug, hepatectomy and liver transplantation ), and designing cancer prevention strategies. In this study we es- tablished a modified rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma to enhance rats' physique and surgical endurance. METHODS: Wistar rats were fed with diethylnitrosamine (DENA) by three methods for evaluation of general condi- tions for 130 days: Doppler ultrasonographic measurement, laparotomy and histopathological examination. RESULTS: No rat died in control group ( group A) and modified DENA-induction-HCC group ( group C), but 6 deaths in classical DENA-induction-HCC group (group B) (survival rate 80%). All survived rats in groups B and C de- veloped diffusive hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrho- sis. General appearance of rats in the group C was better than that in the group B. CONCLUSION: With good general conditions for surgery, the modified rat model for hepatocellular carcinoma has a high carcinogenic rate and a high survival rate.

THE IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY AND IN SITU cDNA-mRNA HYBRIDIZATION OF CARBAMYL PHOSPHATE SYNTHETASE I IN ENZYME-ALTERED LIVER CELLS DURING CARCINOGENESIS

The changes of carbamyl phosphate synthetase I(CPS 1)in diethylnitrosamine-(DEN)-inducedenzyme-altered liver cells were studied by means of immunohistochemical(PAP)and in situcDNA-mRNA hybridization methods.The experimental rats were treated with DEN,2-acetylaminofluorene(2-AAF)and 2/3 hepatectomy according to Solt-Farber’s protocol andwere further promoted by oral daily administration of 0.05% phenobarbital in drinking water.The results showed that the average number of lesions showing abnormal expression of CPS1 was relatively constant over the course of the experiment(8 months),while the numberof normally expressing lesions gradually decreased.The former lesions were also largerin volume than the latter ones.We conclude that in DEN-initiated lesions the abnormallyexpressed CPS 1 lesions may grow continuously,thus leading to the formation of largernodules.We also suspect that some of these lesions have increased tendencies to developinto tumors.

BIR repeat-containing ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (BRUCE) regulation of β-catenin signaling in the progression of drug-induced hepatic fibrosis and carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND BIR repeat-containing ubiquitin conjugating enzyme(BRUCE)is a liver tumor suppressor,which is downregulated in a large number of patients with liver diseases.BRUCE facilitates DNA damage repair to protect the mouse liver against the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine(DEN)-dependent acute liver injury and carcinogenesis.While there exists an established pathologic connection between fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),DEN exposure alone does not induce robust hepatic fibrosis.Further studies are warranted to identify new suppressive mechanisms contributing to DEN-induced fibrosis and HCC.AIM To investigate the suppressive mechanisms of BRUCE in hepatic fibrosis and HCC development.METHODS Male C57/BL6/J control mice[loxp/Loxp;albumin-cre(Alb-cre)-]and BRUCE Alb-Cre KO mice(loxp/Loxp;Alb-Cre+)were injected with a single dose of DEN at postnatal day 15 and sacrificed at different time points to examine liver disease progression.RESULTS By using a liver-specific BRUCE knockout(LKO)mouse model,we found that BRUCE deficiency,in conjunction with DEN exposure,induced hepatic fibrosis in both premalignant as well as malignant stages,thus recapitulating the chronic fibrosis background often observed in HCC patients.Activated in fibrosis and HCC,β-catenin activity depends on its stabilization and subsequent translocation to the nucleus.Interestingly,we observed that livers from BRUCE KO mice demonstrated an increased nuclear accumulation and elevated activity ofβ-catenin in the three stages of carcinogenesis:Pre-malignancy,tumor initiation,and HCC.This suggests that BRUCE negatively regulatesβ-catenin activity during liver disease progression.β-catenin can be activated by phosphorylation by protein kinases,such as protein kinase A(PKA),which phosphorylates it at Ser-675(pSer-675-β-catenin).Mechanistically,BRUCE and PKA were colocalized in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes where PKA activity is maintained at the basal level.However,in BRUCE deficient mouse livers or a human liver cancer cell line,both PKA activity and pSer-675-β-catenin levels were observed to be elevated.CONCLUSION Our data support a“BRUCE-PKA-β-catenin”signaling axis in the mouse liver.The BRUCE interaction with PKA in hepatocytes suppresses PKA-dependent phosphorylation and activation ofβ-catenin.This study implicates BRUCE as a novel negative regulator of both PKA andβ-catenin in chronic liver disease progression.Furthermore,BRUCE-liver specific KO mice serve as a promising model for understanding hepatic fibrosis and HCC in patients with aberrant activation of PKA andβ-catenin.

Effects on the Tumor Specific Growth Factor and Tumor Necrosis Factorαin Rats'Precancerous Lesion of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Direct Moxibustion at Ganshu(BL 18)Acupoint

Objective： To investigate the effect of direct moxibustion at Ganshu （BL18） on the serum concentrations of tumor specific growth factor （TSGF） and tumor necrosis factor a （TNF-a） in a rat model with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, so as to explore the mechanism of moxibustion underlying improvement of HCC. Methods： Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group （n=10）, model group （n=20）, prevention group 1 （n=15） and prevention group 2 （n=15）. The normal rats were injected with physiological saline as blank control. At the same time, the rats of other three groups were injected with diethylnitrosamine to establish the HCC model. Direct moxibusUon with grain-sized moxa was applied to bilateral Ganshu acupoint of the rats in the prevention group 1 （1 treatment course, 20 days） and prevention group 2 （2 treatment courses, 40 days）, 5 doses for each acupoint, 0.5 mg/dose, once every other day. At each time point （before model establishment, the end of 1st course prevention, the end of 2rid course prevention and the end of model establishment）, serum levels of TSGF and TNF-eL were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results： Compared with the control group, there was a remarkably increase of serum TSGF and TNF-eL contents in the model group at the end of the experiment （P〈0.05）. At the end of the 1st course of direct moxibustion, the contents of serum TSGF and TNF- a of rats in the prevention group 1 were significantly increased compared with that of the model group （P〈0.05）. At the end of the 2nd course of direct moxibustion, serum TSGF and TNF-a levels of rats in the model group were higher than the normal group with significantly difference （P〈0.05）, and the levels of TSGF and TNF-a in the prevention group 2 were significantly reduced in comparison with the model group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： It was possible that direct moxibustion could inhibit precancerous lesion and postpone hepatocarcinogenesis, and the therapeutic effect of two courses were better than one course.

Antioxidant activity and free radical-scavenging of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in hepatocellular carcinoma rats model

Aim:Oxidative damage of cellular components by free radicals and other reactive oxygen molecules is believed to be associated with the development of degenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity of cape gooseberry juice (CGJ) in diethylnitrosamine-(DENA) and CCl4 (3 mL/kg b.w.)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rats model.Methods: The rats were divided into 4 groups (6 rats each group). Group 1 (control): the rats of this group did not receive any treatments;group 2 (CGJ): rats were daily administered cape gooseberry juice at a dose of 1 mL/kg b.w.;group 3 (HCC): the rats treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of fresh DENA (200 mg/kg body weight) and received a subcutaneous injection of CCl4 (3 mL/kg/week);group 4: (HCC + CGJ):rats were treated with DENA (200 mg/kg b.w.) and CCl4 (3 mL/kg b.w. per week) in addition to daily administered cape gooseberry juice at a dose of 1 mL/kg b.w.Results: Treatment with DENA plus CCl4 induced a signiifcant increase in tumor marker level, alpha-fetoprotein level, and liver function enzymes activity as well as elevated levels of malondialdehyde. This suggests oxidative stress accompanied with a signiifcant decrease in antioxidant biomarkers including glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the examined tissues. However, the administration of GGJ could reduce these changes to control levels.Conclusion:CGJ is a promising candidate as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant processor in an HCC rats model. This beneifcial effect was achieved by antagonizing free radicals generation and the enhancement of the antioxidant defense mechanisms, resulting in marked improvement of hepatic biomarkers.