Regulatory Effects of Zuogui Pill on Apoptosis of Follicles in Rats Injured by 60Co-γRays Based on PI3K/Akt/m TOR Signaling Pathway

[Objectives]To explore the protective effects of Zuogui Pill on ^(60)Co-γ-ray-induced premature aging of rats based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR)signaling pathway.[Methods]Sixty sexually mature female SD rats were irradiated with ^(60)Co-γ-ray(6.0 Gy,LD 40)for 24 h at one time.These rats were randomly divided into model group,Progynova group[0.18(g·kg)/d],Progynova[0.09(g·kg)/d]+Zuogui Pill high dose[23.625(g·kg)/d)]group,Zuogui Pill high dose[23.625(g·kg)/d)]group,Zuogui Pill medium dose[9.45(g·kg)/d)]group and Zuogui Pill low dose[4.725(g·kg)/d]group.The administration(once a day)lasted 21 d.The rat serum[follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH)and estradiol(E_(2))]were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The morphological changes of ovary were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The apoptosis rate of granulosa cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL).The protein expression of phosphorylated(p)-PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR,B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)in ovarian tissues were detected by Western blot.[Results]Compared with the normal group,the model group showed significant increase in the serum FSH(P<0.01),significant decrease in serum E_(2)(P<0.05),and decrease in the number of early follicles and luteum in the ovary(P<0.01).Besides,the apoptosis rate of granulosa cells increased significantly(P<0.01);the expression of p-PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue decreased significantly,while the expression of Bax increased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the number of early follicles in the ovary increased and the apoptosis rate of granulosa cells decreased after intervention in each administration group.In addition,the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR and Bcl-2 increased,while the expression of Bax decreased,especially in Progynova+Zuogui Pill high dose group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05,P<0.01).[Conclusions]Zuogui Pill may protect the radiation-injured ovary through activating the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR protein in ovarian tissue,increasing the amount of Bcl-2 protein and inhibiting the expression of Bax protein.

Targeting the complement system in pancreatic cancer drug resistance:a novel therapeutic approach

Pancreatic cancer is ranked as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality and is predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030.The cause of this high mortality rate is due to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma’s rapid progression and metastasis,and development of drug resistance.Today,cancer immunotherapy is becoming a strong candidate to not only treat various cancers but also to combat against chemoresistance.Studies have suggested that complement system pathways play an important role in cancer progression and chemoresistance,especially in pancreatic cancer.A recent report also suggested that several signaling pathways play an important role in causing chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer,major ones including nuclear factor kappa B,signal transducer and activator of transcription 3,c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor,and phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B.In addition,it has also been proven that the complement system has a very active role in establishing the tumor microenvironment,which would aid in promoting tumorigenesis,progression,metastasis,and recurrence.Interestingly,it has been shown that the downstream products of the complement system directly upregulate inflammatory mediators,which in turn activate these chemo-resistant pathways.Therefore,targeting complement pathways could be an innovative approach to combat against pancreatic cancer drugs resistance.In this review,we have discussed the role of complement system pathways in pancreatic cancer drug resistance and a special focus on the complement as a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.