Cytotoxic effect of 2, 5-dimethyl-celecoxib as a structural analog of celecoxib on human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cell line.

Dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC), a close derivative of celecoxib (CXB) with a low COX-2 inhibitory function, exhibits significant anti-neoplastic properties. In this study, we have investigated the effect of CXB and DMC on the human HT-29 cell line. The cellular viability, caspase-3 activity, and VEGF, NF-κB, and COX-2 genes expressions were assessed respectively with MTT, colorimetric, and real-time RT-PCR methods. DMC, a close analogue of CXB, was more potent in inhibiting the growth of cells (IC50: 23.45 µM at 24 hr) than CXB (IC50: 30.41 µM at 24 hr). Both CXB and DMC caused a significant difference in caspase-3 activity compared to the control group. DMC significantly decreased the NF-κB expression. Down-regulation of the COX-2 mRNA expression in the celecoxib-treated group was significant compared with that in the DMC-treated group. Alterations in the mRNA expression of VEGF were not significant between the groups. Owing to the more potent growth inhibitory effects of DMC compared to that of celecoxib, it may be important to conduct research on the anticancer application of this compound, which can reduce the side effects relating to COX2 inhibition.

Alantolactone triggers oxeiptosis in human ovarian cancer cells via Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Introduction: A growing body of evidence indicated that Alantolactone (ALT) promotes Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation exclusively in cancer cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ALT on the molecular mechanism of oxeiptosis, as a novel cell death pathway due to the high levels of intracellular ROS in ovarian cancer. Methods: MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of ALT on SKOV3 cell viability. mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1), PGAM5 (phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5), AIFM1 (Mitochondrial Apoptosis-Inducing Factor), Glutathione synthetase (GSS) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were analyzed by real time PCR and western blotting methods respectively. Results: Our findings showed that ALT inhibits the proliferation of skov3 cells in a time and dose dependent manner and IC50 was 32 µM at 24h.A significant down-regulation of Nrf2, GSH and GPX mRNA levels was seen in skov3 cells incubated with 32 and 64 µM of ALT in comparison with control group, while, mRNA expression levels of PGAM5 and KEAP1 were increased.Western blot analysis showed that ALT significantly decreases protein levels of Nrf2 and increases PGAM5 and KEAP1.ALT dephosphorylated PS116-AIFM1 and total AIFM1 protein level was elevated. Conclusion: Our results provided evidence that ALT could be a potential option for ovarian cancer treatment by ROS-mediated oxeiptosis.

Imatinib and its combination with 2,5-dimethyl-celecoxibinduces apoptosis of human HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.

Mono-targeting by imatinib as a main antitumor agent does not always accomplish complete cancer suppression. 2,5-dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC) is a close structural analog of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, celecoxib, that lacks COX-2 inhibitory function. In this study, we aimed to show the apoptotic effects of imatinib in combination with DMC in human HT-29 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. HT-29 CRC cells were treated with IC50 dose of imatinib (6.60 µM), DMC (23.45 µM), and their combination (half dose of IC50) for 24 h. The caspase-3 activity was estimated with colorimetric kit. The caspase-3 gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR method. There was a significant up-regulation in caspase-3 enzyme activity and caspase-3 expression by imatinib and its half dose combination with DMC as compared to control. As a summary, the results of this study strongly suggest that half dose combination of imatinib with DMC induced apoptosis as potent as full dose imatinib in human HT-29 CRC cells, while minimizing undesired side effects related to imatinib mono-therapy. This study also pointed towards possible caspase-dependent actions of imatinib and DMC.

Altered Concentrations of Copper, Zinc, and Iron are Associated With Increased Levels of Glycated Hemoglobin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Their First-Degree Relatives.

BACKGROUND: The altered levels of some essential trace elements and antioxidant minerals have been observed in diabetic patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the concentrations of essential trace elements, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in the serum of patients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with those of their non-diabetic first-degree relatives (FDR) and control subjects. The association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and levels of metals was also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 46 subjects with T2DM, 46 FDR, and 50 control subjects matched for age and sex. Serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Fe were measured by colorimetric kit. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c were assayed using the standard kit. RESULTS: An imbalance in the levels of the studied metals was observed in both patients with T2DM and FDR. We found significantly decreased levels of Zn and higher levels of Cu and Fe in the patients with T2DM and FDR when compared with the control subjects (P < 0.05). HbA1c levels were positively correlated with Cu and Fe and inversely correlated with Zn in the patients with T2DM and FDR (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with T2DM and FDR had altered contents of Cu, Zn, and Fe that might be a predisposing factor to the development of diabetes in future or vice versa the result of diabetes development. Impaired metabolism of these elements may contribute to the augmented risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus later in the life of their first-degree relatives.

Imatinib alters cell viability but not growth factors levels in TM4 Sertoli cells.

BACKGROUND: The anticancer agent imatinib (IM) is a small molecular analog of ATP that inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs) and stem cell factor (SCF) receptor in cancer cells. However these factors have a key role in regulating growth and development of normal Sertoli, Leydig and germ cells. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine cell viability, PDGF and SCF levels in mouse normal Sertoli cells exposed to IM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the mouse TM4 Sertoli cells were treated with 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 µM IM for 2, 4 or 6 days. The cell viability and growth factors levels were assessed by MTT and ELISA methods, respectively. For statistical analysis, One-Way ANOVA was performed. RESULTS: IM showed significant decrease in Sertoli cell viability compared to control group (p=0.001). However, IM increased PDGF and SCF level insignificantly (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Results suggested that IM treatment induced a dose dependent reduction of cell viability in Sertoli cells. It seems that treatment with this anticancer drug is involved in the fertility process. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of PDGF and SCF in this cell.