Antineoplastic effects of octreotide on human gallbladder cancer cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate whether octreotide can inhibit the growth of human gallbladder cancer cells in vitro and to elucidate the antineoplastic mechanism of octreotide in gallbladder cancer. METHODS: A human gallbladder cancer cell line, GBC-SD, was cultured in vitro. The antiproliferative effects of octreotide were examined by means of an MTT assay and a colony forming ability assay. Morphological variation was investigated under scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis rate was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM) after staining by propidium iodide. DNA fragmentation was assayed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the expressions of mutant-type p53 and bcl-2. RESULTS: The growth curve and colony forming ability assay showed significant inhibition of octreotide to the proliferation of GBC-SD cells in culture in a time- and dosedependent manner. After exposure to octreotide, GBC-SD cells showed typically apoptotic characteristics, including morphological changes of chromatin condensation, vacuolar degeneration, nucleus fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. In FCM profile apoptotic cells showed increased sub-G1 peaks in the octreotide group, significantly higher than the control group (P=0.013). There was also anaugmentation in the cell proportion of G0/G1 phase (P=0.015), while the proportion of S phase and G2/M phase remained unchanged (P=0.057 and P=0.280, respectively). DNA agarose gel electrophoresis displayed a ladder after exposure to 1000 nmol/L octreotide. After being treated with octreotide, the expressions of both mutant-type p53 and bd-2 decreased considering the percentage of positive cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Octreotide has a negative action to the proliferation of GBC-SD cells, and the mechanism may be related to cytostatic and cytotoxic effects. The reduction of mutant-type p53 and bcl-2 expressions may be associated with the apoptosis induced by octreotide.

Radiosensitivity of human colon cancer cell enhanced by immunoliposomal docetaxel

AIM: To enhance the radiosensitivity of human colon cancer cells by docetaxel.METHODS: Immunoliposomal docetaxel was prepared by coupling monodonal antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen to cyanuric chloride at the PEG terminus of liposome. LoVo adenocarcinoma cell line was treated with immunoliposomal docetaxel or/and irradiation. MTT colorimetric assay was used to estimate cytotoxicity of immunoliposomal docetaxel and radiotoxicity. Cell cycle redistribution and apoptosis were determined with flow cytometry. Survivin expression in LoVo cells was verified by immunohistochemistry. D801 morphologic analysis system was used to semi-quantify immunohistochemical staining of survivin.RESULTS: Cytotoxicity was induced by immunoliposomal docetaxel alone in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoliposomal docetaxel yielded a cytotoxicity effect at a low dose of 2 nmol/L. With a single dose irradiation, the relative surviving fraction of LoVo cells showed a dosedependent response, but there were no significant changes as radiation delivered from 4 to 8 Gy. Compared with liposomal docetaxel or single dose irradiation,strongly radiopotentiating effects of immunoliposomal docetaxel on LoVo cells were observed. A low dose of immunoliposomal docetaxel could yield sufficient radiosensitivity. Immunoliposomal docetaxel were achieved both specificity of the conjugated antibody and drug radiosensitization. Combined with radiation,immunoliposomal docetaxel significantly increased the percentage of G2/M cells and induced apoptosis, but significantly decreased the percentage of cells in G2/G1 and S phase by comparison with liposomal docetaxel.Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the brown stained survivin was mainly in cytoplasm of LoVo cells.Semi-quantitative analysis of the survivin immunostaining showed that the expression of survivin in LoVo cells under irradiation with immunoliposomal docetaxel was significantly decreased.CONCLUSION: Immunoliposomal docetaxel is strongly effective for target radiosensitation in LoVo colon carcinoma cells, and may offer the potential to improve local radiotherapy.

L-arginine administration ameliorates serum and pulmonary cytokine response after gut ischemia-reperfusion in immature rats

AIM: Small intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) has been demonstrated to result in both local mucosal injury and systemic injuries. The exact role of nitric oxide (NO) in intestinal IR is unclear. We propose that NO and some other cytokines change in the reperfusion period and these changes are associated with lung injury. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing NO substrate, L-arginine (L-arg), on serum and pulmonary cytokine production during small intestinal IR in immature rats.METHODS: Immature rats underwent 60 min. of superior mesenteric artery occlusion followed by 90 min of reperfusion. L-arg (250 mg/kg) was given intravenously to the experimental group (IR+L-arg) which received L-arg after 45 min of intestinal ischemia. Serum and lung endothelin-1 (ET-1), NO, malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were measured. Sham operation (SHAM) and intestinal IR (IR) groups were performed as control. The lavage fluid of the lung was collected by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and white blood cells and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were immediately counted to identify lung damage.RESULTS: When L-arg was given during small intestinal IR, serum NO concentration increased significantly in IR+L-arg group (162.17±42.93 μmol/L) when compared with IR group (87.57±23.17 μmol/L, t= 3.190, P = 0.008＜0.01). Serum MDA reduced significantly in IR+L-arg group (8.93±1.50 nmol/L) when compared with SHAM(23.78±7.81 nmol/L, t = 3.243, P = 0.007＜0.01) and IR (25.54±9.32 nmol/L, t = 3.421, P = 0.006＜0.01).ET-1 level in lung tissues was significantly lower in IR+L-arg group (13.81±7.84 pg/mL) than that in SHAM(35.52±10.82 pg/mL, t = 2.571, P= 0.03＜0.05) and IR(50.83±22.05 pg/mL, t = 3.025, P = 0.009＜0.01) groups.MDA contents in lung tissues were significantly lower in IR+L-arg group (10.73±1.99 nmol/L) than in SHAM(16.62±2.28 nmol/L, t = 3.280, P = 0.007＜0.01) and IR(21.90±4.82 nmol/L, t= 3.322, P= 0.007＜0.01)groups.Serum and lung TNFα concentrations were not significantly different in three groups. NO contents in lung homogenates and white blood cell counts in BAL had no significant difference in three groups; but the percentage of PMNs in BAL was 13.50±8.92, 33.20±16.59, and 22.50±6.09 in SHAM, IR, and IR+L-arg groups, respectively.CONCLUSION: Small intestinal IR induced increases of pulmonary neutrophil infiltration in immature rats.Neutrophil infiltration in lung tissues was reduced by L-arg administration but remained higher than in SHAM group.L-arg administration during intestinal IR enhances serum NO production, reduces serum MDA and lung ET-1 and MDA levels, resulting in the improvement of systemic endothelial function. L-arg supplementation before reperfusion may act as a useful clinical adjunct in the management of intestinal IR, thus preventing the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome, even multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

Viral replication modulated by synthetic peptide derived from hepatitis B virus X protein

AIM:A strategy for viral vaccine design is the use of conserved peptides to overcome the problem of sequence diversity. At present it is still unclear whether conserved peptide is safe as a candidate vaccine. We reported it here for the first time not only to highlight the biohazard issue and safety importance for viral peptide vaccine, but also to explore the effect of a fully conserved peptide on HBV replication within the carboxyl terminus of HBx.METHODS:We synthesized the fully conserved peptide (CP) with nine residues, FVLGGCRHK. HBV-producJng 2.2.15 cells were treated with or without 3.5μM CP for 36 hours.Quantitative detection of viral DNA was performed by realtime PCR. HBV antigens were determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative analyses of p53 and Bax proteins were based on immunofluorescence.Flow cytometry was performed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis.RESULTS: Both extracellular and intracellular copies of HBV DNA per ml were significantly increased after incubation with 3.5μM of CP.HBsAg and HBeAg in the cultured medium of CP-treatment cells were as abundant as untreated control ceils. CP influenced negatively the extracellular viral gene products, and 3.5μM CP could significantly inhibit intracellular HBsAg expression. In response to CP, intracellular HBeAg displayed an opposite pattern to that of HBsAg, and 3.5μM CP could efficiently increase the level of intracellular HBeAg.Flow cytometric analyses exhibited no significant changes on cell cycle, apoptosis, p53 and Bax proteins in 2.2,15 cells with or without CP.CONCLUSION: Together with the results generated from the synthetic peptide, we address that the conserved region,a domain of HBx, may be responsible for modulating HBV replication. As conserved peptides from infectious microbes are used as immunogens to elicit immune responses, their latent biological hazard for human beings should be evaluated.

Effects of L-arginine on serum nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase and mucosal Na^+-K^+-ATPase and nitric oxide synthase activity in segmental small-bowel autotransplantation model

AIM: To explore a simple method to create intestinal autotransplantation in rats and growing pigs and to investigate the effect of L-arginine supplementation on serum nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and intestinal mucosal NOS and Na+-K+-ATPase activity during cold ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in growing pigs.METHODS: In adult Wistar rat models of small bowel autotransplantation, a fine tube was inserted into mesenteric artery via the abdominal aorta. The superior mesenteric artery and vein were occluded. Isolated terminal ileum segment was irrigated with Ringer'ssolution at 4 ℃ and preserved in the same solution at 0-4 ℃ for 60 min. Then, the tube was removed and reperfusion was established. In growing pig models, a terminal ileum segment, 50 cm in length, was isolated and its mesenteric artery was irrigated via a needle with lactated Ringer's solution at 4 ℃. The method and period of cold preservation and reperfusion were described above. Ten white outbred pigs were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. L-arginine (150 mg/kg) was continuously infused for 15 min before reperfusion and for 30 min after reperfusion in the experimental group. One, 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion, peripheral vein blood was respectively collected for NO and NOS determination. At the same time point, intestinal mucosae were also obtained for NOS and Na+-K+-ATPase activity measurement.RESULTS: In adult rat models, 16 of 20 rats sustained the procedure, three died of hemorrhage shock and one of deep anesthesia. In growing pig models, the viability of small bowel graft remained for 72 h after cold IR in eight of 10 pigs. In experimental group, serum NO level at 1 and 24 h after reperfusion increased significantly when compared with control group at the same time point (152.2±61.4 μmol/L vs60.8±31.6 μmol/L, t= 2.802,P = 0.02＜0.05; 82.2±24.0 μmol/L vs 54.0±24.3 μmol/L, t = 2.490, P = 0.04＜0.05). Serum NO level increased significantly at 1 h post-reperfusion when compared with the same group before cold IR, 24 and 48 h post-reperfusion (152.2±61.4 μmol/L vs75.6±16.2 μmol/L, t= 2.820, P= 0.02＜0.05, 82.2 ±24.0 μmol/L, t= 2.760, P= 0.03＜0.05, 74.2±21.9 μmol/L, t= 2.822, P= 0.02＜0.05). Serum NOSactivity at each time point had no significant difference between two groups. In experimental group, intestinal mucosal NOS activity at 1 h post-reperfusion reduced significantly when compared with pre-cold IR (0.79±0.04 U/mg vs 0.46±0.12 U/mg, t = 3.460, P = 0.009＜0.01). Mucosal NOS activity at 24, 48, and 72 h post-reperfusion also reduced significantly when compared with pre-cold IR (0.79±0.04 U/mg vs 0.57±0.14 U/mg, t= 2.380, P= 0.04 ＜0.05, 0.61±0.11 U/mg, t = 2.309, P = 0.04＜0.05,0.63±0.12U/mg, t= 2.307, P= 0.04＜0.05). In control group,mucosal NOS activity at 1 and 24 h post-reperfusion was significantly lower than that in pre-cold IR (0.72±0.12 U/mg vs0.60±0.07 U/mg, t= 2.320, P= 0.04＜0.05, 0.58±0.18 U/mg, t = 2.310, P = 0.04＜0.05). When compared to the normal value, Na+-K+-ATPase activity increased significantly at 48 and 72 h post-reperfusion in experimental group (2.48±0.59 μmol/mg vs3.89±1.43 μmol/mg, t = 3.202,P = 0.04＜0.05, 3.96±0.86 μmol/mg, t= 3.401, P= 0.009 ＜0.01) and control group (2.48±0.59 μmol/mg vs3.58±0.76μmol/mg, t = 2.489, P = 0.04＜0.05, 3.67±0.81 μmol/mg, t= 2.542, P= 0.03＜0.05).CONCLUSION: This novel technique for intestinal autotransplantation provides a potentially consistent and practical model for experimental studies of graft cold preservation. L-arginine supplementation during cold IR may act as a useful adjunct to preserve the grafted intestine.

T-helper 1-type immunity to trophoblast in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion

Objective:To test the hypothesis that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in women with unexplained recurrent abortion (URA) produce T-helper 1 (Th1)-type cytokines in response to trophoblast antigens. Methods: A total of 25 women with URA and 15 reproductively normal parous control women participated the study. Supernatants from trophoblast-activatied PBMCs from all participants were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) for Th1-type cytokines [interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon gamma (IFN-γ)] and Th2-type cytokines (IL-4,IL-10). Results: The levels of IL-2, IFN-γ in trophoblast-activitated PBMCs supernatants from URA patients were highr than those from reproductively normal women (P<0.05). In contrast, the supernatants from URA patients contained lower Th2-type cytokines (IL-4,IL- 10) (P<0.05). Conclusions: Whereas Th1-type immunity to trophoblast is assoicated with URA and may play a role in reproductive failure, Th2-type immunity may a natural response to trophoblast contributing to successful pregnancy.

Study on the activity and phenotype of decidual natural killer cells in patients with unexplained habitual abortions

Objective:To determine the activity and phenotype of decidual natural killer (NK) cells in patients with unexplained habitual abortions (UHA).Methods:A total of 32 patients with UHA were studied, and 20 cases of normal pregnant women were selected as control group. The levels of CD56 +CD3 - NK cells and their CD56 +CD16 -, CD56 +CD16 + subsets in decidua were detected using two color flow cytometric analysis.The NK cells activity was measured by a chromium 51( 51 Cr) release cytotoxicity assay,with K562 human myeloid leukaemia cells as targets.Results:Compared with control group, the proportion of CD56 +CD3 - NK cells in decidual mononuclear cells(DMC) of UHA patients had no difference, but the CD56 +CD16 - NK cell subset decreased and the CD56 +CD16 + subset increased significantly (P<0.05). The decidual NK cells activities of UHA patients were higher than those of normal controls (P<0.05).Conclusions:NK cell is predominant lymphocyte in normal decidua and plays an important role in maintaining successful pregnancy. Abnormally raised activity and disbalanced CD56 +CD16 +, CD56 +CD16 - subsets of decidual NK cell are associated with UHA and may play a role in reproductive failure.