Growth-inhibiting effects of taxol on human liver cancer in vitro and in nude mice

AIM To investigate the effects of taxol onSMMC-7721 human hepatoma and itsmechanisms.METHODS In vitro cell growth was assessedby trypan blue exclusion method.Experimentalhepatoma model was established by seedingSMMC-7721 cells subcutaneously into Balb/c(nu/nu)nude mice.In vivo tumor growth wasdetermined by measurement of tumor diameterwith Vernier calipers.The syntheses of DNA,RNA and protein were analyzed by incorporationof ~3H-thymidine,~3H-uridine and ~3H-leucinerespectively.Using light and electronmicroscopes to observe the morphologicalchanges of cells including mitosis andapoptosis.RESULTS Taxol was effective against SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cell growth in the rangesof 2.5 nmol/L-10 nmol/L with mitotic arrestand apoptosis in vitro.DNA,RNA and proteinsyntheses in cells were also obviouslysuppressed by in vitro treatment of taxol for72 h.Taxol at 2.5 nmol/L reduced ~3H-thymidineuptake to about 34% of the control value(P【0.05).Increasing the dose of taxol to20 nmol/L resulted in a greater decrease in ~3H-thymidine incorporation to 60% of the controlvalue(P【0.01).At a concentration of 20 nmol/L,the ~3H-uridine and ~3H-leucine uptakeswere reduced to 52%(P【0.05)and 63%(P【0.01),respectively.In vivo,taxolsignificantly inhibited SMMC-7721 tumor growthat 10 mg/kg,i.p.,once daily for 10 d.A morethan 90% decrease in tumor volume wasobserved by day 11(P【0.01)similarly withmitotic arrest and cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION Taxol has a marked anticanceractivity in SMMC-7721 human hepatoma both invitro and in nude mice.Its mechanisms might beassociated with mitotic arrest,subsequently,apoptosis of the hepatoma cells.No obvioustoxicity was observed with in vivoadministration of taxoi.

Metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma models in nude mice and cell line with metastatic potential

Metastatic human HCC model is needed for the studies on mechanism and intervention of metastatic recurrence. By using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tissues of 30 surgical specimens, a patient like metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice (LCI-D20)and a Iow metastatic model of human HCC in nude mice LCI-D35 ) have been established. All mice with transplanted LCI-D20 tumors exhibited extremely high metastatic ability including spontaneous metastasis to liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal seeding.Remarkable difference was also found in expression of some of the invasiveness related genes and growth factors between the LCI-D20 and LCI-D35 tumors. PAI-Iincreased gradually following tumor progression in LCID20 model, and correlated with tumor size and AFP level,Phasic expression of tissue intercellular adhesion molecule-I in this model was also observed. Using corneal micropocket model, it was demonstrated that the vascular response induced by LCI-D20 tumor was stronger than that induced by LCI-D35 tumor. Similar report on metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential was rarely found in the literature. This LCI-D20 model has been widely used for the studies on intervention of metastasis, including antiangiogenesis, antisense approach, metalloproteinase inhibitor, differentiation inducer, etc. It is concluded that the establishment of metastatic human HCC model in nude mice and human HCC cell line with metastatic potential will provide important models for the in vivo and in vitro study of HCC invasiveness, angiogenesis as well as intervention of HCC recurrence.

Effects of targeting magnetic drug nanoparticles on human cholangiocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice

BACKGROUND: Targeting is a new therapeutic tool for malignant tumor as a result of combining nanotechnology with chemotherapeutics. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of magnetic nanoparticles enveloping a chemotherapeutic drug on human cholangiocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: The human cholangiocarcinoma xenograft model was established in nude mice with the QBC939 cell line. The nude mice were randomly assigned to 7 groups. 0.9% saline or magnetic nanoparticles, including high (group 2), medium (group 4) and low (group 5) dosages, were given to nude mice through the tail vein 20 days after the QBC939 cell line was implanted. Calculations were made 35 days after treatment in order to compare the volumes, inhibition ratios and growth curves of the tumors in each group. Mice in each group were sacrificed randomly to collect tumor tissues and other organs for electron microscopy and pathological examination. RESULTS: The high and medium dosage groups were significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). The tumor inhibition ratios for the high, medium and low dosage groups were 39.6%, 14.6% and 7.9%, respectively. The tumor growth curve of groups 5, 4, and 2 changed slowly in turn. The high and medium groups showed cell apoptosis under an electron microscope. CONCLUSION: Magnetic nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of human cholangiocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice.

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.

Antitumor Activities and Apoptosis-regulated Mechanisms of Fermented Wheat Germ Extract in the Transplantation Tumor Model of Human HT-29 Cells in Nude Mice

Objective A subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of human HT-29 cells in nude mice was established to evaluate anticarcinogenic activities, and the apoptosis-regulated mechanism effect of aqueous extract of fermented wheat germ with Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1 （LFWGE）. Methods The HT-29 cells were transplanted via subcutaneous injection of 1×10^7cells into the right flank of each nude mouse. Then, nude mice were treated for 30 d with LFWGE （high-dose 2 g/kg/d; low-dose 1 g/kg/d） and for 7 d with 5-fluorouracil （5-FU, 25 mg/kg/d） by gavage and intraperitoneal injection, respectively. An inhibition of tumor growth was observed. Results Tumor volume and weights decreased significantly in both groups of nude mice treated with LFWGE. In addition, the cell apoptosis rate of the LFWGE group （2 g/kg/d, 60.2%＋4.4%; 1 g/kg/d, 58.6%＋6.9%） was significantly higher than that of the control group （11.5%＋1.6%） and 5-FU group （32.1%＋3.5%） as measured by the TUNEL assay. Moreover, the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot method further confirmed these enhancing apoptosis and growth inhibition effects. The involvement of LFWGE in inducing apoptosis was confirmed by the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and CyclinD1. Conclusion The results showed that LFWGE could induce subcutaneous transplantation tumor apoptosis in nude mice and could be as a natural nutrient supplements or chemopreventive agent in the treatment of human colon cancer.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on the growth of human gastric cancer cell and the implanted tumor of nude mice

AIM: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important rolein the regulation of gastrointestinal tissue growth anddevelopment, and it can stimulate epithelial proliferation,cell differentiation and growth. It has been established thatthe EGF can promote gastric cytoprotection and ulcerhealing. But the potential ability of EGF to regulate thegastric cancer growth is unknown. This study is toinvestigate the influence of EGF on human gastric cancercell and the implanted tumor growth of nude mice.METHODS: The cell growth rates of human gastricadenocarinoma cell lines MKN-28, MKN-45, SGC-7901 andnormal human gastric epithelial cells 3T3 were assessedwhen incubated with recombinant human EGF (rhEGF, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 10, 50, 100 mg.L-1) using MTT method.The cells of MKN-28, MKN-45, SGC-7901 (gaatric cancertissue 1.5 mm3 ) were implanted in the BALB/cA nude micefor 10 days. The EGF was given intrapsritoneally (15, 30, 60μg. kg-1) for 3 weels. The body weights of the tumor-bearing animals and their tumor mass were measuredafterwards to assess the mitogenic effect of rhEGF in thenude mice.RESULTS: Within the concentration range of 0.05-100 mg.L-1 , rhEGF could increase the cell growth ofnormal 3T3 cells(cell growth rate 100 % vs 102.8 %, P＜0.05), but partiallyrestrain the gastric cancer cell growth. The latter effect wesrelated to cell differentiation. In 15-60μg/kg rhEGF groups,the mean implanted tumor mass of MKN-28 cell were 1.75 g,1.91 g, 2.08 g/NS group 1.97 g ( P＞ 0.05), the mean tumormass of SGC-7901 cell were 1.53 g, 1.07 g, 1.20 g/NS group1.07 g ( P ＞ 0.05), and for MKN-45 cell, the tumor masswere respectively 1.92 g, 1.29 g, 1.77 g/NS group 1.82 g( P＞ 0.05 ). So rhEGF had no obvious effect on implantedMKN-28, SGC-7901 and MKN-45 tumor growth.CONCLUSION: EGF has no stimulating effect on the humangastric cancer cell growth neither in vitro nor in vivo.

Functional Mechanism of Resveratrol in Inhabiting Growth of Cells ls174t and Its Mechanism in Subcutaneously Transplanted Tumor of Nude Mice

To explore the functional mechanism of Resveratrol against colon cancer cells ls174t and the growth of colon cancer tissue of tumor-bearing mice, MTT method was used to observe the functions of resveratrol for inhibition against cells ls174t in vitro. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the cell apoptosis. FCM assay was performed to measure the change of the cell apoptosis rate and of cell cycle. RT-PCR method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA. Western blot method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein. Ceils ls174t were transplanted subcutaneously to nude mice to observe the effect of resveratrol on the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor, RT-PCR method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA in the tumor tissue. Western blot method was used to detect the expressions of bcl-2 and bax protein in the tumor tissue. Resveratrol has an effect of inhibiting proliferation of cells ls174t in vitro（P〈0.01）. It is able to induce the apoptosis of cells ls174t, causing the decrease in the expression of bcl-2 and the increase in the expression of bax. Resveratrol could inhibit the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor of nude mice（P〈0.05）, causing the decrease in the expression of bcl-2 and the increase in the expression of bax. Resveratrol can inhibit the growth of cells 174t and the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor. The mechanism is possibly related to the induction of the cell apoptosis and the regulation of bcl-2/bax expression.

Anti-tumor activities and apoptosis-regulated mechanisms of bufalin on the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice

AIM: To investigate anti-tumor activities and apoptosis-regulated mechanisms of bufalin in the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice.METHODS: BEL-7402 cells of human hepatocellular carcinoma were inoculated to form subcutaneous tumors, and were implanted into the liver to establish orthotopic transplantation tumor models of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice. Seventy-five animals were randomized divided into five groups (n = 15). Bufalin was injected intraperitoneally into three groups at doses of 1.5 mg/kg (BF1), 1 mg/kg (BF2) and 0.5 mg/kg (BF3) for d 15-24, respectively. The NS group was injected an equal volume of saline as above and adriamycin was injected intraperitoneally into the ADM group at a dose of 8.0 mg/kg for d 15. Ten mice in each group were killed at d 25 and the survival time in each group was calculated. We also observed the morphologic alterations in the myocardium, brain, liver, kidney and tumor tissues by pathology and electron microscopy, measured the apoptotic rate by TUNEL staining method, and detected the expression of apoptosis-regulated genes bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR in tumor tissues. RESULTS: The tumor volumes in each group of bufalin were reduced significantly (35.21 ± 12.51 vs 170.39 ± 25.29; 49.83 ± 11.46 vs 170.39 ± 25.29; 83.99 ± 24.63 vs 170.39 ± 25.29, P < 0.01, respectively), and the survival times were prolonged in group BF1-2 (31.8 ± 4.2 vs 23.4 ± 2.1 and 29.4 ± 3.4 vs 23.4 ± 2.1, P < 0.05, respectively), and necrosis was mainly in severe or moderate degree in group BF1-2. No morphologicalchanges were detected in the myocardium, brain, liver and kidney tissues. Apoptotic characteristics could be seen in group BF1-2. The positive rates of bcl-2 and bax protein expression of each group by immunohistochemical staining were 10.0%, 10.0%, 20.0%, 10.0% and 20.0%; 90.0%, 80.0%, 80.0%, 40.0% and 30.0%, respectively. Loss of expression of bcl-2 mRNA in each group was to be found and the density of bax mRNA was increased progressively with increase of dose of bufalin by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Bufalin has significant anti-tumor activities in the orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice with no marked toxicity and was able to induce apoptosis of transplanted tumor cells. This apoptosis may be mediated mainly via up-regulating the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bax, which may be involved in its anti-tumor mechanism of bufalin.

Effects of endostatin on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors and neovascularization in colonic carcinoma implanted in nude mice

AIM: To investigate the antiangiogenic effects of endostatin on colonic carcinoma cell line implanted in nude mice and its mechanism. METHODS: Nude mice underwent subcutaneous injection with LS-174t colonic carcinoma cell line to generate carcinoma and were randomly separated into two groups. Mice received injection of vehicle or endostatin every day for two weeks. After the tumor was harvested, the tumor volumes were determined, and the expressions of CD34, VEGF and FIk-1 were examined by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Tumor volume was significantly inhibited in the endostatin group (84.17%) and tumor weight was significantly inhibited in the endostatin group (0.197±0.049) compared to the control group (1.198±0.105) (F=22.56, P=0.001), microvessel density (MVD) was significantly decreased in the treated group (31.857±3.515) compared to the control group (100.143±4.290) (F=151.62, P<0.001). Furthermore, the expression of FIk-1 was significantly inhibited in the treated group (34.29%) compared to the control group (8.57%) (x^2=13.745, P=0.001). However no significant decrease was observed in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) between these two groups (x^2=0.119, P=0.730). CONCLUSION: Endostatin can inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis by blocking Vegf/FIk-1 pathway. This experiment provides the theory basis for developing a new anti-carcinoma drug through studying the properties of anti-angiogenesis inhibitors.

Anticancer activity of genistein on implanted tumor of human SG7901 cells in nude mice

AIM: To investigate genistein-induced apoptosis of implanted tumors of SG7901 cells in nude mice,and the relationship between this apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. METHODS: Establishing a transplanted tumor model by injecting human SG7901 cells into subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. Genistein (0.5,1 and 1.5 mg/kg) was directly injected adjacent to the tumor,six times at 2-d intervals. Then,changes in tumor volume were measured continuously and tumor inhibition rate of each group was calculated. We observed the morphological alterations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM),measured the apoptotic rate by the TUNEL staining method,and detected the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene Bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Genistein 0.5,1 and 1.5 mg/kg signifi cantly inhibited carcinoma growth when it was injected near the tumor by 10.8%,29.9% and 39.6%,respectively. Genistein induced implanted tumor cells to undergo apoptosis,with apoptotic characteristics seen by TEM. The apoptosis index was increased progressively with increasing genistein dose (28.9% ± 1.2%,33.8% ± 1.6% and 37.7% ± 1.2%). The positive rate of Bcl-2 protein was decreased progressively (11.9% ± 0.9%,5.9% ± 0.7% and 4.2% ± 0.6%),and the positive rate of bax protein was increased progressively (0.9% ± 1.7%,24.9% ± 0.8% and 29.6% ± 1.7%) by immunohistochemical staining,with increasing dose of genistein. The density of Bcl-2 mRNA decreased progressively and the density of bax mRNA increased progressively with elongation of time by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Genistein was able to induce apoptosis of transplanted tumor cells. This apoptosis may be mediated by down-regulation of the apoptosis-regulated gene Bcl-2 and up-regulation of apoptosis-regulated gene bax.

Tumor radioimmunoimaging of chimeric antibody in nude mice with hepatoma xenograft

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Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on growth of human gastric carcinoma xenograft model in nude mice

瞄准：在人的胃的癌房间在活体内的生长上学习 recombinant 人生长激素(rhGH ) 的效果。方法：试验性的老鼠被划分成控制组， rhGH 组， oxaliplatin (L-OHP ) 组和 rhGH+L-OHP 组。有教养的人的胃的癌房间 BGC823 被接种进裸体老鼠的正确腋下，癌异种皮移植模型成功地被建立。异种皮移植肿瘤生长的禁止的率被测量肿瘤体积估计；增殖的房间的表示原子抗原(PCNA ) ， Bax 和异种皮移植肿瘤的 Bcl-2 蛋白质用免疫被检测组织化学的 S-P 方法。结果：肿瘤生长禁止的率， PCNA 的积极表示率， Bax 和 Bcl-2 分别地在 rhGH+L-OHP 组是 49.3% ， 58.2% ， 65.2% 和 59.2% ；46.6% ， 62.5% ， 59.7% 和 64.7% 在 L-OHP 组织；5.0% ， 82.7% ， 23.2% 和 82.2% 在 rhGH 组织， 0， 77.8% ， 23.5% 和 80.3% 在控制组织。在 rhGH+L-OHP 组之间有有效差量(或 L-OHP 组) 并且控制组或 rhGH 组(P 【 0.05 ) ，而没有有效差量(P 】 0.05 ) 在 L-OHP 之间，组和 rhGH+L-OHP 组织并且在 rhGH 之间组织并且控制组。结论：rhGH 不加速人的胃的癌症房间在活体内的增长。

Effect of Quercetin on Breeding and Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer HeLa Cell and on Growth of Transplanted Tumor in Nude Mice

Effect of quercetin on HeLa cell system of cervical cancer was studied by methods of MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI. The results show that quercetin has functions of inhibiting breeding of HeLa cells and inducing apoptosis of the cells. The total apoptosis rate is positively proportional to reaction duration and concentration of quercetin used. The maximum apoptosis rate being （88.76±2.35）% was obtained when the concentration was 50.0 μmol/L and the cells were treated with quercetin for 72 hours. Based on establishing a model of tumor of cervical cancer transplanted into nude mice, quercetin of different concentrations was injected into abdominal cavity of nude mice and situation of tumor growth was reviewed. The result showed that with quercetin concent＇ration increasing from 0 to 100.0 μmol/L, the transplantation volume and weight of the tumors decreased from （279.59±70.58） mm^3 and （0.145±0.019） g to （128.72±36.12） mm^3 and （0.089± 0.019） g respectively, while apoptosis rate of the transplanted tumor increased from （9.63±1.85）% to （34,98±0.47）%, which proved that quercetin inhibited increment of volume and weight of transplanted tumor in nude mice bodies.

Change in expression of apoptosis genes after hyperthermia,chemotherapy and radiotherapy in human colon cancer transplanted into nude mice

AIM:To investigate the change in expression of p53 ,Bcl-2 ,and Bax genes in human colon cancer cells transplanted into nude mice after hyperthermia,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,thermochemotherapy,thermoradiotherapy and thermochemoradiotherapy. METHODS:Human colon cancer cell line (HT29) was transplanted into the hind limbs of nude mice. Under laboratory simulated conditions of hyperthermia (43℃,60 min),the actual radiation doses and doses of mitomycin C (MMC) were calculated in reference to the clinical radiotherapy for human rectal cancer and chemotherapy prescription for colon cancer. The mice were divided into 6 groups according to the treatment approaches:hyperthermia,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,thermochemotherapy,thermoradiotherapy,and thermochemoradiotherapy. The mice were sacrificed at different time points and the tumor tissue was taken for further procedures. The morphologic changes in membrane,cytoplasm and nuclei of tumor cells of p53,Bcl-2,and Bax after treatment,were observed by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS:All of the six treatment modalities down-regulated the expression of p53,Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax at different levels. The combined therapy of hyperthermia,with chemotherapy,and/or irradiation showed a greater effect on down-regulating the expression of p53 (0.208 ± 0.009 vs 0.155 ± 0.0115,P < 0.01) and Bcl-2 (0.086 ± 0.010 vs 0.026 ± 0.0170,P < 0.01) and up-regulating Bax expression (0.091 ± 0.0013 vs 0.207 ± 0.027,P < 0.01) compared with any single therapy.CONCLUSION:Hyperthermia enhances the effect of radio-and chemotherapy on tumors by changing the expression of apoptosis genes,such as p53,Bcl-2 and Bax.

The recruitment of exogenous endothelial progenitor cells in lung tumor model of nude mice

Background and Objective: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in hypoxia-triggered tumor vasculogenesis. However, the homing of exogenous EPCs in tumors is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the recruitment of exogenous EPCs in human lung adenocarcinoma model of nude mice. Methods: EPCs labeled with green fluorescence protein (GFP) were transplanted into nude mice bearing human lung adenocarcinoma. The growth of tumor was observed. After the mice were killed, GFP-EPCs in different tissues were examined by fluorescence. The tumor tissues were stained for CD133, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α), stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (KDR). Real-time polymerase chain reaction of CD133, HIF-1α, SDF-1α, and VEGF-1 were also performed. Results: The growth of tumor in EPC group was significantly faster than that in saline solution group (P < 0.05). Under fluorescence microscope, GFP-EPCs were strongly expressed in both tumor and bone marrow. EPCs were recruited to the tumor periphery to participate in tumor vasculogenesis. The expression of CD133, HIF-1α, and SDF-1 mRNA in tumor and bone marrow were significantly higher than that in the liver, spleen, and skin (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Exogenous EPCs can be recruited to tumor and accelerate tumor growth. Except tumor, bone marrow can also recruit EPCs.

Effect of antidepressants on body weight, ethology and tumor growth of human pancreatic carcinoma xenografts in nude mice

AIM: To investigate the effects of mirtazapine and fluoxetine, representatives of the noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) and se- lective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepres- sant respectively, on body weight, ingestive behavior, locomotor activity and tumor growth of human pancre- atic carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: A subcutaneous xenograft model of hu- man pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 was estab- lished in nude mice. The tumor-bearing mice were ran- domly divided into mirtazapine group [10 mg/(kg·d)], fluoxetine group [10 mg/(kg·d)] and control group (an equivalent normal saline solution) (7 mice in each group). Doses of all drugs were administered orally, once a day for 42 d. Tumor volume and body weight were measured biweekly. Food intake was recorded once a week. Locomotor activity was detected weekly using an open field test (OFT). RESULTS: Compared to the fluoxetine, mirtazapine significantly increased food intake from d 14 to 42 and attenuated the rate of weight loss from d 28 to 42 (t = 4.38, P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, food intake was significantly suppressed from d 21 to 42 and weight loss was promoted from d 35 to 42 in the fluoxetine group (t = 2.52, P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in body weight of the mice after removal of tumors among the three groups. The body weight of mice was the heaviest (13.66 ± 1.55 g) in the mirtazapine group and the lightest (11.39 ± 1.45 g) in the fluoxetine group (F(2,12) = 11.43, P < 0.01). The behavioral test on d 7 showed that the horizontal and vertical activities were significantly increased in the mirtazapine group compared with the fluoxetine and control groups (F(2,18) = 10.89, P < 0.01). These effects disappeared in the mirtazapine and fluoxetine groups during 2-6 wk. The grooming activity was higher in the mirtazapine group than in the fluoxetine group (10.1 ± 2.1 vs 7.1 ± 1.9 ) (t = 2.40, P < 0.05) in the second week. There was no significant difference in tumor vol- ume and tumor weight of the three groups. CONCLUSION: Mirtazapine and fluoxetine have no effect on the growth of pancreatic tumor. However, mirtazapine can significantly increase food intake and improve nutrition compared with fluoxetine in a pan- creatic cancer mouse model.

Systemic study on the safety of immuno-deficient nude mice treated by atmospheric plasma-activated water

Cold atmospheric-pressure plasma is a new technology, widely used in many fields of biomedicine,especially in cancer treatment. Cold plasma can selectively kill a variety of tumor cells, and its biological safety in clinical trials is also very important. In many cases, the patient’s immune level is relatively low, so we first studied the safety assessment of plasma treatment in an immunocompromised animal model. In this study, we examined the safety of immuno-deficient nude mice by oral lavage treatment of plasma-activated water, and studied the growth status, main organs and blood biochemical indexes. Acute toxicity test results showed that the maximum dose of plasma treatment for 15 min had no lethal effect and other acute toxicity. There were no significant changes in body weight and survival status of mice after 2 min and 4 min of plasma-activated water(PAW)treatment for 2 weeks. After treatment, the major organs, including heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney, were not significantly changed in organ coefficient and tissue structure. Blood biochemical markers showed that blood neutrophils and mononuclear cells were slightly increased, and the others remained unchanged. Liver function, renal function, electrolytes, glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism were not affected by different doses of PAW treatment. The above results indicate that PAW treatment can be used to treat immuno-deficient nude mice without significant safety problems.

Angiostatin inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and growth in nude mice

AIM: To observe the biologic behavior of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and to explore the potential value of angiostatin gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.METHODS: The recombinant vector pcDNA3.1(+)-angiostatin was transfected into human pancreatic cancer cells PC-3 with Lipofectamine 2000, and paralleled with the vector and mock control. Angiostatin transcription and protein expression were determined by immunofluorescence and Western blot. The stable cell line was selected by G418. The supernatant was collected to treat endothelial cells. Cell proliferation and growth in vitro were observed under microscope. Cell growth curves were plotted.The troms-fected or untroms-fected cells overexpressing angiostatin vector were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. The size of tumors was measured, and microvessel density count (MVD) in tumor tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry with primary anti-CD34antibody.RESULTS: After transfected into PC-3 with Lipofectamine 2000 and selected by G418, macroscopic resistant cell clones were formed in the experimental group transfected with pcDNA 3.1(+)-angiostatin and vector control. But untreated cells died in the mock control. Angiostatin protein expression was detected in the experimental group by immunofluorescence and Western-blot. Cell proliferation and growth in vitro in the three groups were observed respectively under microscope. After treatment with supernatant, significant differences were observed in endothelial cell (ECV-304) growth in vitro. The cell proliferation and growth were inhibited. In nude mice model, markedly inhibited tumorigenesis and slowed tumor expansion were observed in the experimental group as compared to controls, which was parallel to the decreased microvessel density in and around tumor tissue.CONCLUSION: Angiostatin does not directly inhibit human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and growth in vitro,but it inhibits endothelial cell growthin vitro. It exerts the anti-tumor functions through antiangiogenesis in a paracrine way in vivo.

Antitumor Activities and Apoptosis-regulated Mechanisms of Fermented Barley Extract in the Transplantation Tumor Model of Human HT-29 Cells in Nude Mice

Objective A subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of human HT-29 cells was established in nude mice to study the anticarcinogenic activities and apoptosis-regulatory mechanistic effect of aqueous extract of fermented barley with Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1 （LFBE）. Methods HT-29 cells were transplanted via subcutaneous injection of 1 × 107cells into the right flank of each nude mouse. Then, nude mice were treated for 30 days with LFBE （high-dose 2 g·kg-1·d-1; low-dose 1 g·kg-1·d-1） and for 7 days with 5-fluorouracil （5-FU, 25 g·kg-1·d-1） by gavage and intraperitoneal injection, respectively. Results Tumor volume and weight decreased significantly in both groups of nude mice treated with LFBE. In addition, the cell apoptosis rate of the LFBE group was significantly higher than that of the control group and 5-FU groups as measured by the TUNEL assay. Moreover, the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot methods further confirmed these apoptosis-enhancing and growth-inhibiting effects. The involvement of LFBE in inducing apoptosis was confirmed by the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and cyclin D1. Conclusion The results showed that LFBE could induce subcutaneous transplantation tumor apoptosis in nude mice and could be used as a natural nutrient supplement or chemopreventive agent in the treatment of human colon cancer.

^(99m)Tc-labeled HAb18 McAb Fab fragment for radioimmunoimaging in nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma

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