Long-Term Efficacy and Recurrence Prediction of Prostatic Artery Embolization for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To explore the efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) during long-term follow-up and analyze predictors related to LUTS recurrence. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study involving 125 BPH patients with LUTS who underwent PAE from February 2014 to February 2020. The median follow-up was 36 months. Clinical success was defined as reductions in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) score and no need for any other treatment for LUTS; otherwise, it was regarded as a clinical failure. Recurrence was defined as a clinical failure that occurred after an initial success. Cumulative clinical success rates, recurrence rates and re-intervention rates were evaluated. Friedman test was performed to compare differences in IPSS, QoL and prostatic volume (PV) among baseline and follow-up times. Predictors for LUTS recurrence were analyzed with the univariate and multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: Technical success (bilateral PAE) rate was 92.8% (116/125). Significant differences in IPSS, QoL and PV were observed between baseline and follow-up time points (P < 0.001). The cumulative clinical success rates at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years were 82.4%, 65.5%, 52.4% and 37.4%. The cumulative recurrence rates and re-intervention rates at 1, 2 and 5 years were 6.8%, 12.7%, 60.4% and 5.9%, 10.2%, 50.8%, respectively. Unilateral PAE was an significant predictor of recurrence (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PAE is an effective treatment option for LUTS. Unilateral PAE is a significant independent predictor of LUTS recurrence.

Prostatic Artery Embolization to Achieve Freedom from Catheterization in Patients with Acute Urinary Retention Caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To determine the ability of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) to achieve freedom from catheterization in patients with acute urinary retention (AUR) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center study was performed between June 2014 and March 2019 in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by BPH. PAE was performed in 154 eligible patients, of which 76 suffered from spontaneous AUR and had indwelling catheters placed and kept until the procedure, owing to clinical failure in the removal of the previous intermittent catheter. Each patient was followed for at least 12 months. The first trial without catheter was performed 3 days after PAE. Successful catheter removal within the first 30 days after PAE was considered a clinical success. The rate of patients free from catheterization, LUTS relief, prostate volume, and adverse events was recorded. RESULTS: Clinical success was achieved in 70 (92.1%) patients. The rates of freedom from catheterization were 90.3% (65/72), 83.3% (60/72), and 80.6% (58/72) at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up, respectively. The median elapsed time from PAE to catheter removal was 10 days. However, 18 patients needed further interventions. Symptom scores revealed a continuous improvement in urinary symptoms. The mean prostate volume showed a statistically significant decrease at 3 and 12 months compared with its baseline value. No severe adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: PAE can achieve freedom from catheterization in patients with AUR caused by BPH.

[Corrigendum] Ouabain suppresses the growth and migration abilities of glioma U­87MG cells through inhibiting the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of HIF­1α.

Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that several pairings of panels in Fig. 5, as shown on p. 5599, were strikingly similar. After having examined their original data, the authors realized that they uploaded some images incorrectly during the process of compiling this figure, and that there were duplicated data panels in this figure. However, the authors were able to consult their original data, and had access to the correct images. The revised version of Fig. 5, showing the correct data for the Akt/Control, p­Akt/Control, mTOR/0.05 µM Ouabain, HIF­1α/0.05 µM Ouabain and Akt/0.5 µM Ouabain experiments, is shown opposite. Note that the replacement of the erroneous data does not affect either the results or the conclusions reported in this paper, and all the authors agree to this Corrigendum. The authors are grateful to the Editor of Molecular Medicine Reports for granting them this opportunity to publish a Corrigendum, and apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in Molecular Medicine Reports 17: 5595­5600, 2018; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8587].

Prostatic Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Recurrent Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent a previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 15 of 19 patients who underwent PAE for recurrent LUTS after TURP between February 2014 and April 2019. The technical and clinical success rates and complications related to the procedure were recorded. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and prostatic volume (PV) were evaluated at baseline and 3- and 12-mo follow-up. RESULTS: The intervals from TURP to recurrent symptoms and from TURP to PAE were 4.3 y ± 3.2 and 5.6 y ± 3.8, respectively. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The clinical success rate for LUTS relief at 12 mo was 93.3% (14 of 15). IPSS significantly reduced from 22.5 ± 4.1 at baseline to 9.9 ± 4.9 at 12-mo follow-up, and QoL score improved from 4.7 ± 1.0 to 2.1 ± 1.1 (P < .05 for both). There was a significant mean reduction of 26.6% in PV at 12 mo, improving from 100.7 cm3 ± 38.5 to 73.9 cm3 ± 29.4 (P < .05). No severe complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: PAE may be a safe and effective treatment option for the management of recurrent LUTS secondary to BPH in patients who have previously undergone TURP.

Angiographic Findings Relevant to Prostatic Artery Embolization in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

The 2014-2018 angiograms of 58 patients with prostate cancer were retrospectively analyzed to illustrate angiographic findings during prostatic artery embolization. Arteriovenous fistulae were observed in 6 patients (6/58, 10.3%), with no difference between patients with or without prior iodine-125 seeds implantation (5/48, 10.4% vs 1/10, 10.0%; P > .05); tumor staining was not detected. The origins of the prostatic arteries included the internal pudendal artery (n = 45, 32.4%), the superior vesical artery (n = 38, 27.3%), the obturator artery (n = 28, 20.1%), the gluteal-pudendal trunk (n = 21, 15.1%), the inferior gluteal artery (n = 3, 2.2%), the accessory pudendal artery (n = 3, 2.2%), and the superior gluteal artery (n = 1, 0.7%).

The Dynamics of Circulating Monocyte Subsets and Intra-Plaque Proliferating Macrophages during the Development of Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice.

To detect the development of monocytes and proliferative macrophages in atherosclerosis of ApoE-/- mice, we randomly assigned 84 ApoE-/- mice fed western diet or chow diet. On weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 after fed high-fat diet or normal chow diet, animals were euthanized (n = 7 for each group at each time point). Flow cytometry methods were used to analyze the proportions of circulation monocyte subsets. The macrophage and proliferative macrophage accumulation within atherosclerotic plaques was estimated by confocal florescence microscopy. Plasma levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured by ELISA kit. The plaques of aortic sinus were stained with Oil Red O. The percent of Ly6Chi circulation monocyte, the density of proliferation macrophage, the total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the lesion area of ApoE-/- mice were consistently elevated in chow diet throughout the trial. The total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the lesion area were elevated in western diet group with age, and they were always higher than the chow diet group. The Ly6Chi monocytes and proliferative macrophages reached a plateau at 8 weeks and 6 weeks; despite continued high-triglyceride high-cholesterol diet the percent did not significantly change. Interestingly, the density of macrophage did not change significantly over age in western and chow diet groups. Our results provide a dynamic view of Ly6Chi monocyte subset, the density of macrophage and proliferation macrophage change during the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which is relevant for designing new treatment strategies targeting mononuclear phagocytes in this model.

Ouabain suppresses the growth and migration abilities of glioma U­87MG cells through inhibiting the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of HIF­1α.

Glioma is one of the most malignant forms of brain tumor, and has been of persistent concern due to its high recurrence and mortality rates, and limited therapeutic options. As a cardiac glycoside, ouabain has widespread applications in congestive heart diseases due to its positive cardiac inotropic effect by inhibiting Na+/K+­ATPase. Previous studies have demonstrated that ouabain has antitumor activity in several types of human tumor, including glioma. However, the exact underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The purpose of present study was to elucidate the effect of ouabain on human glioma cell apoptosis and investigate the exact mechanism. U­87MG cells were treated with various concentrations of ouabain for 24 h, following which cell viability and survival rate were assessed using a 3­(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2­yl)­2,5­diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The dynamic changes and cell motility were observed using digital holographic microscopy. Additionally, western blot analysis and high­content screening assays were used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p­)Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p­mTOR and hypoxia­inducible factor (HIF)­1α, respectively. Compared with the control group, ouabain suppressed U­87MG cell survival, and attenuated cell motility in a dose­dependent manner (P<0.01). The downregulation of p­Akt, mTOR, p­mTOR and HIF­1α were observed following treatment with 2.5 and 25 µmol/l of ouabain. These results suggested that ouabain exerted suppressive effects on tumor cell growth and motility, leading to cell death via regulating the intracellular Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and inhibiting the expression of HIF­1α in glioma cells. The present study examined the mechanism underlying the antitumor property of ouabain, providing a novel potential therapeutic agent for glioma treatment.

iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomics Reveals the New Evidence Base for Traumatic Brain Injury Treated with Targeted Temperature Management.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of targeted temperature management (TTM) modulation on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the involved mechanisms using quantitative proteomics technology. SH-SY5Y and HT-22 cells were subjected to moderate stretch injury using the cell injury controller (CIC), followed by incubation at TTM (mild hypothermia, 32°C), or normothermia (37°C). The real-time morphological changes, cell cycle phase distribution, death, and cell viability were evaluated. Moderate TBI was produced by the controlled cortical impactor (CCI), and the effects of TTM on the neurological damage, neurodegeneration, cerebrovascular histopathology, and behavioral outcome were determined in vivo. Results showed that TTM treatment prevented TBI-induced neuronal necrosis in the brain, achieved a substantial reduction in neuronal death both in vitro and in vivo, reduced cortical lesion volume and neuronal loss, attenuated cerebrovascular histopathological damage, brain edema, and improved behavioral outcome. Using an iTRAQ proteomics approach, proteins that were significantly associated with TTM in experimental TBI were identified. Importantly, changes in four candidate molecules (plasminogen [PLG], antithrombin III [AT III], fibrinogen gamma chain [FGG], transthyretin [TTR]) were verified using TBI rat brain tissues and TBI human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. This study is one of the first to investigate the neuroprotective effects of TTM on the proteome of human and experimental models of TBI, providing an overall landscape of the TBI brain proteome and a scientific foundation for further assessment of candidate molecules associated with TTM for the promotion of reparative strategies post-TBI.

The role of ZFP580, a novel zinc finger protein, in TGF-mediated cytoprotection against chemical hypoxia­induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac myocytes.

Zing finger protein 580 (ZFP580) is a novel Cys2-His2 zinc-finger transcription factor that has an anti-apoptotic role in myocardial cells. It is involved in the endothelial transforming growth factor­ß1 (TGF­ß1) signal transduction pathway as a mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)2 binding partner. The aim of the present study was to determine the involvement of ZFP580 in TGF­ß1­mediated cytoprotection against chemical hypoxia­induced apoptosis, using H9c2 cardiac myocytes. Hypoxia was chemically induced in H9c2 myocardial cells by exposure to cobalt chloride (CoCl2). In response to hypoxia, cell viability was decreased, whereas the expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and ZFP580 were increased. Pretreatment with TGF­ß1 attenuated CoCl2­induced cell apoptosis and upregulated ZFP580 protein expression; however, these effects could be suppressed by SB431542, an inhibitor of TGF­ß type I receptor and Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, suppression of ZFP580 expression by RNA interference reduced the anti­apoptotic effects of TGF­ß1 and thus increased CoCl2­induced apoptosis. B­cell lymphoma (Bcl)­2­associated X protein/Bcl­2 ratio, reactive oxygen species generation and caspase­3 activation were also increased following ZFP580 inactivation. In conclusion, these results indicate that ZFP580 is a component of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway, and is involved in the protective effects of TGF­ß1 against chemical hypoxia­induced cell apoptosis, through inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

The Kinetics of Circulating Monocyte Subsets and Monocyte-Platelet Aggregates in the Acute Phase of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Associations with 2-Year Cardiovascular Events.

In experimental myocardial infarction (MI), a rise in cell counts of circulating monocyte subsets contributes to impaired myocardial healing and to atherosclerotic plaque destabilization. In humans, the prognostic role of monocyte subsets in patients suffering ST-elevation MI (STEMI) is still unclear. In the present study, we aimed to determine the kinetics of the 3 monocyte subsets (classical CD14++CD16-, intermediate CD14++CD16+, and nonclassical CD14+CD16++ monocytes), as well as the subset-specific monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPA), in acute STEMI followed by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and their relationships with cardiovascular outcomes during a 2-year follow-up.Monocyte subsets and MPA were measured in 100 STEMI patients receiving primary PCI on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 of symptom onset, which were compared with 60 stable coronary heart disease patients and 35 healthy volunteers. From day 1 to day 7, significant increases in the counts of CD14++CD16+ monocytes and CD14++CD16+ MPA were observed, with peak levels on day 2. During a median follow-up of 2.0 years, 28 first cardiovascular events (defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal ischemic stroke, recurrent MI, need for emergency or repeat revascularization, and rehospitalization for heart failure) were recorded. After adjustment for confounders, CD14++CD16+ monocytosis (day 1 [HR: 3.428; 95% CI: 1.597-7.358; P = 0.002], day 2 [HR: 4.835; 95% CI: 1.106-21.13; P = 0.04], day 3 [HR: 2.734; 95% CI: 1.138-6.564; P = 0.02], and day 7 [HR: 2.647; 95% CI: 1.196-5.861; P = 0.02]), as well as increased levels of CD14++CD16+ MPA measured on all time points (days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7), had predictive values for adverse cardiovascular events.In conclusion, our data show the expansion of the CD14++CD16+ monocyte subset during acute phase of STEMI has predictive values for 2-year adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with primary PCI. Future studies will be warranted to elucidate whether CD14++CD16+ monocytes may become a target cell population for new therapeutic strategies after STEMI.

SILAC-based proteomic analysis reveals that salidroside antagonizes cobalt chloride-induced hypoxic effects by restoring the tricarboxylic acid cycle in cardiomyocytes.

Hypoxic status alters the energy metabolism and induces cell injury in cardiomyocytes, and it further triggers the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. Our previous studies have shown that salidroside (SAL) exhibits anti-hypoxic activity. However, the mechanisms remain obscure. In the present study, we successfully screened 92 different expression proteins in CoCl2-induced hypoxic conditions, 106 different expression proteins in the SAL-mediated anti-hypoxic group were compared with the hypoxic group using quantitative proteomics strategy, respectively. We confirmed that SAL showed a positive protective function involving the acetyl-CoA metabolic, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle using bioinformatics analysis. We also demonstrated that SAL plays a critical role in restoring the TCA cycle and in protecting cardiomyocytes from oxidative injury via up-regulation expressions of PDHE1-B, ACO2, SUCLG1, SUCLG2 and down-regulation of MDH2. SAL also inhibited H9c2 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of pro-apoptotic molecules caspase 3 and caspase 9 as well as activation of the anti-apoptotic molecular Bcl-2. Additionally, SAL also improved mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intercellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) accumulation and inhibited the excessive consumption of ATP in H9c2 cells.

Dual gRNAs guided CRISPR/Cas9 system inhibits hepatitis B virus replication.

AIM: To screen and investigate the effective gRNAs against hepatitis B virus (HBV) of genotypes A-D. METHODS: A total of 15 gRNAs against HBV of genotypes A-D were designed. Eleven combinations of two above gRNAs (dual-gRNAs) covering the regulatory region of HBV were chosen. The efficiency of each gRNA and 11 dual-gRNAs on the suppression of HBV (genotypes A-D) replication was examined by the measurement of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) or e antigen (HBeAg) in the culture supernatant. The destruction of HBV-expressing vector was examined in HuH7 cells co-transfected with dual-gRNAs and HBV-expressing vector using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing method, and the destruction of cccDNA was examined in HepAD38 cells using KCl precipitation, plasmid-safe ATP-dependent DNase (PSAD) digestion, rolling circle amplification and quantitative PCR combined method. The cytotoxicity of these gRNAs was assessed by a mitochondrial tetrazolium assay. RESULTS: All of gRNAs could significantly reduce HBsAg or HBeAg production in the culture supernatant, which was dependent on the region in which gRNA against. All of dual gRNAs could efficiently suppress HBsAg and/or HBeAg production for HBV of genotypes A-D, and the efficacy of dual gRNAs in suppressing HBsAg and/or HBeAg production was significantly increased when compared to the single gRNA used alone. Furthermore, by PCR direct sequencing we confirmed that these dual gRNAs could specifically destroy HBV expressing template by removing the fragment between the cleavage sites of the two used gRNAs. Most importantly, gRNA-5 and gRNA-12 combination not only could efficiently suppressing HBsAg and/or HBeAg production, but also destroy the cccDNA reservoirs in HepAD38 cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that CRISPR/Cas9 system could efficiently destroy HBV expressing templates (genotypes A-D) without apparent cytotoxicity. It may be a potential approach for eradication of persistent HBV cccDNA in chronic HBV infection patients.

[Cycle arrest of prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells induced by pseudolaric acid B].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of pseudolaric acid B (PLAB) on cell proliferation and cycle of human prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells. method: Its inhibitory effect on the cell growth was measured by MTT method. Characteristics of cell death were determined by Hoechest 33342 staining. The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and CDK1 were detected by Real time-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULT: PLAB notably inhibited DU-145 cell growth in a dose- and time dependent manner (P < 0.05). Its IC50 values of PLAB for DU-145 cells for 24, 48 and 72 h were 4.53, 2.39 and 2.08 micromol x L(-1), respectively. Having been treated with 5 micromol x L(-1) PLAB for 24 h, the cells showed such apoptosis characteristics as nuclei chromatin condensation and apoptotic body. With the increase in PLAB concentration, the proportion of G2/M phase cells strikingly increased in a dose- and time dependent manner (P < 0.05), meanwhile cyclin B1 and CDK1 showed over-expressions (P < 0.05), and the cyclin D1 showed under-expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PLAB can inhibit the growth of DU-145 cells and induce the cell cycle G2/M arrest, accompanied with the over-expression of cyclin B1 and CDK1, which may be related with its regulation cycle-associated protein degradation.

Cardiotonic steroids attenuate ERK phosphorylation and generate cell cycle arrest to block human hepatoma cell growth.

Recent studies revealed the potential of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase as a target for anticancer therapy and showed additional modes of action of cardiotonic steroids (CSs), a diverse family of naturally derived compounds, as inhibitors of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. The results from epidemiological studies showed significantly lower mortality rates in cancer patients receiving CSs, which sparked interest in the anticancer properties of these drugs. The present study was designed to investigate the anticancer effect of CSs (ouabain or cinobufagin) and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CS activity in hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and SMMC-7721). Ouabain and cinobufagin significantly inhibited cell proliferation by attenuating the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and down-regulating the expression of C-myc. These CSs also induced cell apoptosis by increasing the concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) and induced S phase cell cycle arrest by down-regulating the expression of Cyclin A, cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as well as up-regulating the expression of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21(CIP1)). Overexpression of ERK reversed the antiproliferation effect of ouabain or cinobufagin in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. Currently, the first generation of CS-based anticancer drugs (UNBS1450 and Anvirzel) are in Phase I clinical trials. These data clearly support their potential use as cancer therapies.

Targeting the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit of hepatoma HepG2 cell line to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arresting.

Recent research has shown that the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit is a novel anti-cancer target, which plays pivotal roles in malignant cell ion transport, metabolism, migration and signal transduction. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of ouabain and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) on HepG2 cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle, and to explore the molecular mechanisms. The expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), normal liver tissues and human HCC line (HepG2, SMMC-7721 and Bel-7402) has been investigated. Using the ouabain and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit siRNA, which target the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, we have evaluated the effects of inhibiting Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 in human HepG2 cells with respect to cell proliferation, morphology, cell cycle, impact on intracellular Ca2++, reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, and correlated gene expression level on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein. Our data showed that the expression Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit in HCC tissues is higher than that in normal liver tissues. Ouabain and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 siRNA could inhibit HepG2 cell proliferation. Ouabain could induce HepG2 cell apoptosis and generate S phase arrest, and siRNA could enhance the anti-cancer effect of ouabain that induced HepG2 cells apoptosis via an intracellular Ca(2+) and ROS increase-mediated, and generated cell cycle S phase arresting by decreasing the CyclinA1/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2)/proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) complex product and increasing the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (P21(CIP1)). We believe that targeting of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit in human HCC cells could provide new sight into the treatment of HCC.

[Effect of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 siRNA and ouabain upon cell cycle in human hepatoma HepG2 cell and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro anti-cancer effects of ouabain combined Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 siRNA upon HepG2 cells and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit expressions of human hepatoma tissue, normal liver tissue and human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2, SMC7721 and Bel7402) were determined. The cells received different treatments (0.03 micromol/L siRNA, 0.1 micromol/L ouabain and combination). The proliferation of HepG2 was observed by CCK-8 assay. The activity of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase was measured. The HepG2 cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein levels of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit, MAPK1, Cyclin A, CDK2, PCNA and P21WAF1 were detected by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The gray value Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit in hepatoma tissue was 174.74 +/- 16.77 and 65.31 +/- 7.88 respectively in normal liver tissue. The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit expression of hepatoma tissue was significantly higher than normal liver tissue(P < 0.05).The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 subunit expression level of HepG2 was higher than that in SMMC-7721 and Bel-7402 cells. The CCK-8 experiments demonstrated that siRNA, ouabain and combination could inhibit the HepG2 proliferation, and the combination group was different from the ouabain or siRNA group (P < 0.05). The 24, 48 and 72 h inhibitory rates of 0.03 micromol/L siRNA, 0.1 micromol/L ouabain and combination group were (17.4%, 20.3%, 24.3%), (37.5%, 44.3%, 51.2%) and (52.3%, 70.2%, 88.2%) respectively. The activity of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase decreased in siRNA, ouabain and combination group. The S phase proportion of ouabain and combination group increased from 24.2% to 66.5% and 75.2% respectively. The 0.1 micromol/L ouabain and combination group could down-regulate the expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPsae alpha1, MAPK1, Cyclin A, CDK2, PCNA and up-regulate the expression of P21WAF1 in HepG2 cell. CONCLUSION: The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 siRNA combined ouabain inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 cells by decreasing the expression of MAPK1 and induces the cell cycle S arrest by decreasing the production of Cyclin A/CDK2/PCNA complex and increasing the expression of P21(WAF1).

[Protective effects of ouabain conjugated peptide from Ph.D.-7 Library on vascular endothelial cell].

AIM: To find one kind of peptide that will conjugate with ouabain and inhibit its biological function, and provide a new treatment strategy for primary hypertension. METHODS: In this study, ouabain was used as a target to screen ouabain conjugated peptide (OCP) from Ph.D.-7 phage display peptide library. After 3 rounds of bio-panning, the products were identified by ELISA and DNA electrophoresis analysis and sequencing. Peptide was synthesized and analyzed the activity by radioligand binding assay. The inhibitory ratio of cell proliferation was measured by MTT and the cell morphology changing was measured by Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha1-subunit and beta1-subunit were detected by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. The levels of the free intracellular Na(+) in EAhy926 cells were measured by laser confocal microscope. RESULTS: The ouabain conjugated peptide was found out, and it was occupied in 0.64 (9/14). The analysis of protein showed that the obtained peptides had no homology with Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. The amino acid sequence of synthesized peptide was Arg-Cys-Met-Thr-Ser-Arg-Ser. There was binding activity between OCP and (3)H-ouabain. The MTT assay showed that OCP could reverse the inhibition action of ouabain on vascular endothelial EAhy926 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. The number of apoptotic cells had significantly decreased detected by Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The results of RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry showed that OCP could inhibit the up-regulated expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha1-subunit and down-regulated expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase beta1-subunit induced by ouabain in EAhy926 cells. CONCLUSION: The OCP could reverse the growth inhibition and death induction of ouabain in EAhy926 cells, which would provide the basis for studying the interaction between ouabain and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and explore novel anti-ouabain agents.

Synergistic cytotoxic effect of TRAIL and gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a novel member of the TNF family and triggers apoptosis in a variety of malignant cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the antitumour activity of TRAIL in six human pancreatic cancer cell lines by measuring apoptosis with sulforhodamine B cytotoxicity assays, DAPI staining and FACScans. RESULTS: All six cell lines were sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The expression levels of TRAIL receptors R1, R2, R3 and R4 did not correlate with TRAIL sensitivity. Simultaneous treatment with TRAIL and the chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine had a synergistic effect. Caspase-8 and -3 activities were increased by TRAIL treatment and apoptosis was largely blocked by caspase-8 and -3 inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Apoptotic cell death can be induced in pancreatic cancer cells by TRAIL treatment and this may be mediated through activation of caspases-8 and -3. Gemcitabine significantly increased the antitumour effect of TRAIL, suggesting novel therapeutic approaches.

Overexpression of Bax sensitizes human pancreatic cancer cells to apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic agents.

PURPOSE: Bax plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis induced by chemotherapy and other stimuli. We therefore investigated the role of Bax in drug-induced apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells. METHOD: A tetracycline-inducible retroviral expression vector bearing the human bax-alpha gene was constructed. ASPC-1 cells were stably infected with this vector. The sensitivity of the transformed cell line to gemcitabine and 5-Fu was assessed. RESULTS: Western blots revealed that Bax expression was enhanced in these cells by the tetracycline analogue doxycycline. Enhanced expression of Bax itself did not inhibit the growth rate of infected cells and did not influence expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. However, it significantly increased the sensitivity of cells to the chemotherapeutic drugs gemcitabine and 5-Fu. These drugs also activated caspase-8 and caspase-3 by up to ninefold. Caspase activation and/or an imbalance in Bax and Bcl-2/Bcl-xL expression may be the reasons for the augmentation of cytotoxicity by these drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that enhanced Bax expression may have therapeutic application in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancers.