Patient-derived xenograft in zebrafish embryos: a new platform for translational research in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most commonly cancer occurred in Asian, especially in China. With its high heterogeneity and few of validated drug targets, GC remains to be one of the most under explored areas of precision medicine. In this study, we aimed to establish an in vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model based on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, allowing for a rapid analysis of the angiogenic and invasive potentials, as well as a fast drug sensitivity testing. METHODS: Two human gastric cancer cell lines (AGS and SGC-7901) were xenografted into zebrafish embryos, their sensitivity to 5-FU were tested both in vitro and in vivo. Fourteen human primary cells from gastric cancer tissue were xenografted into zebrafish embryos, their proliferating, angiogenic and metastatic activities were evaluated in vivo. Sensitivity to 5-FU, docetaxel, and apatinib were also tested on primary samples from four patients. RESULTS: SGC-7901 showed higher sensitivity to 5-FU than AGS both in vitro (6.3 ± 0.9 µM vs.10.5 ± 1.8 µM) and in vivo. Nine out of fourteen patient samples were successfully transplanted in zebrafish embryos and all showed proliferating, angiogenic and metastatic potentials in the living embryos. Four cases showed varied sensitivity to the selected three chemotherapeutic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our zebrafish PDX (zPDX) model is a preclinically reliable in vivo model for GC. The zPDX model is also a promising platform for the translational research and personalized treatment on GC.

Five new C21 steroidal glycosides from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima.

Five new C(21) steroidal glycosides (1-5) were isolated from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima. The chemical structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Cellular assay of these compounds showed that they are weak cytotoxic to various cell lines.

[Curative effect of Xianling Qianggu koufuye on postmenopausal osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the curative effects of Xianling Qianggu koufuye (XLQG) on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized female rats. METHOD: Sixty female Sprague-dawley rats aged 12-months were used, 50 of them were ovariectomized and randomly divided into 5 groups: ovariectomized (OVX), OVX + Nylestriol, OVX + XLQG (high dose, middle dose, low dose), and the others were sham-operated group. Rats were treated with drugs starting at the 45 day after the operation for 90 days. Double in vivo fluorochrome labeling was administered to all rats. At the end-point of study, the blood was collected to detecte the contents of ALP and StrACP in serum, and the fourth lumar vertebra (LV4) and femur bone sections were cut and stained for bone histomorphometric analyses, biomechanical analyses and BMP analyses. RESULT: XLQGKFY decreased greatly the StrACP content, increased BMP and bone stiffness, and improved the bone biomechanical property. CONCLUSION: Xianling Qianggu koufuye has a curative effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis, which provides for clinical use.

[Chemical constituents of Ligularia dictyoneura].

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of Ligularia dictyoneura. METHODS: Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the compounds. Their spectral data (MS, IR, NMR) were measured for structure elucidation. RESULTS: Four sesquiterpenes were isolated from Ligularia dictyoneura and their structures were identified as ligudicin A (1), ligudicin C (2), ligudicin D (3) and isopetasin (4). CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is a new compound, compound 2 is a new natural product, and compounds 3 and 4 are obtained from Ligularia dictyoneura for the first time.