Sex-dependent effects of estrogen pellets in human liver cancer xenograft models.

Liver cancer shows noticeable differences in the incidence rate and mortality between genders. To investigate the estrogen effect on tumor progression in liver cancer, we developed a xenograft model using estrogen pellets. SK-Hep1 cells (human male liver carcinoma) were inoculated into male or female nude mice. Subsequently, estrogen pellets were subcutaneously implanted into these xenograft models. Interestingly, the marked adverse effect of estrogen pellets (0.5 mg/21 days) were observed in the male-derived xenograft model, with increased ulcerative dermatitis in male mice than in female mice. Additionally, necrosis was observed in male mice with SK-Hep1-derived tumors. However, the estrogen pellet (0.5 mg/60 days) did not exhibit these adverse effects. Tumor growth in female mice was significantly suppressed by estrogen (0.5 mg/60 days). Tumor growth was also suppressed in male mice implanted with estrogen (0.5 mg/60 days), but the suppression was not significant. We found that estrogen-induced skin damage was more severe in male mice than female mice. The tumor suppression of estrogen was effective in female mice compared to male mice bearing liver cancer. The results suggest that the sex difference affects estrogen activity and thus should be considered in the preclinical assessment.

Anticancer Effects of the Marine Sponge Lipastrotethya sp. Extract on Wild-Type and p53 Knockout HCT116 Cells.

Interest in marine bioresources is increasing in the drug development sector. In particular, marine sponges produce a wide range of unique metabolites that enable them to survive in challenging environments, which makes them attractive sources of candidate pharmaceuticals. In previous study, we investigated over 40 marine specimens collected in Micronesia and provided by the Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, for their antiproliferative effects on various cancer cell lines, and Lipastrotethya sp. extract (LSSE) was found to have a marked antiproliferative effect. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism responsible for its anticancer effect on wild-type p53 (WT) or p53 knockout (KO) HCT116 cells. LSSE inhibited cell viability and induced apoptotic cell death more so in HCT116 p53 KO cells than the WT. HCT116 WT cells treated with LSSE underwent apoptosis associated with the induction of p53 and its target genes. On the other hand, in HCT116 p53 KO cells, LSSE reduced mTOR and Bcl-2 and increased Beclin-1 and LC3-II protein levels, suggesting autophagy induction. These results indicate that the mechanisms responsible for the anticancer effect of LSSE depend on p53 status.

The antidiabetic effect of onion and garlic in experimental diabetic rats: meta-analysis.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of onion and garlic in experimentally induced diabetic rats by meta-analysis of related studies. Ten systematic literature searches were conducted on the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, the DBpia database, and the Koreanstudies Information Service System database. Most studies had three groups-the normal group, the treated diabetic group, and the untreated diabetic group-the means of which were compared for various effect factors between two of the groups. The effect factors were blood glucose concentration, body weight, and the concentrations of plasma total cholesterol, plasma triglycerides, plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and liver glycogen. The treated diabetic group included diabetic rats supplemented with either onion or garlic extract or with single components, including S-allylcysteine sulfoxide, S-methylcysteine sulfoxide, and diallyl trisulfide. The effects of each factor were investigated by the standardized mean difference between the treated diabetic group and the diabetic group. Because homogeneity among studies for some effect factors is not plausible, the random effect estimates were calculated. In the meta-analysis, the antidiabetic effects of onion extract and single components were significant for glucose concentration and body weight (P < .05), but the effects of garlic extract were not significant. The results of the meta-analysis suggested that the single component intake and onion extract intake may be effective for lowering plasma glucose concentrations and body weight.