CXCL2/CXCR2 axis induces cancer stem cell characteristics in CPT-11-resistant LoVo colon cancer cells via Gαi-2 and Gαq/11.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) exist in colon cancer and exhibit characteristics of stem cells which are due to lineages of tissues where they arise. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-undergoing cancer cells display CSC properties and therapeutic resistance. Cancer and stromal cells comprise of a tumor microenvironment. One way the two populations communicate with each other is to secret CXC ligands (CXCLs). CXCLs are capable of causing chemotaxis of specific types of stromal cells and control angiogenesis. Double immunofluorescence, western blot analysis, and colony-formation assay were carried out to compare parental and CPT-11-resistant LoVo cells. CPT-11-R LoVo colon cancer cells showed increased expression of CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL8. They displayed significantly increased intracellular protein levels of CXCL2 and CXCR2. CPT-11-R LoVo cells showed significantly elevated expression in aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24), cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). CXCL2 knockdown by short hairpin RNA resulted in reduced expression of CSC proteins, cyclins, EMT markers, G proteins, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Finally, Gαi-2 was found to promote expression of CSC genes and tumorigenesis which were more apparent in the resistant cells. In addition, Gαq/11 showed a similar pattern with exceptions of EpCAM and MMP9. Therefore, CXCL2-CXCR2 axis mediates through Gαi-2 and Gαq/11 to promote tumorigenesis and contributes to CSC properties of CPT-11-R LoVo cells.

Oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer cells is mediated via activation of ABCG2 to alleviate ER stress induced apoptosis.

Oxaliplatin (OXA), is a third generation platinum drug used as first-line chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancer cells acquires resistance to anti-cancer drug and develops resistance. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporter ABCG2, one of multidrug resistance (MDR) protein which can effectively discharge a wide spectrum of chemotherapeutic agents out of cancer cells and subsequently reduce the intracellular concentration of these drugs. Role of ABCG2 and plausible molecular signaling pathways involved in Oxaliplatin-Resistant (OXA-R) colon cancer cells was evaluated in the present study. OXA resistant LoVo cells was developed by exposing the colon cells to OXA in a dose-dependent manner. Development of multi drug resistance in OXA-R cells was confirmed by exposing the resistance cells to oxaliplatin, 5-FU, and doxorubicin. OXA treatment resulted in G2 phase arrest in parental LoVo cells, which was overcome by OXA-R LoVo cells. mRNA and protein expression of ABCG2 and phosphorylation of NF-κB was significantly higher in OXA-R than parental cells. Levels of ER stress markers were downregulated in OXA-R than parental cells. OXA-R LoVo cells exposed to NF-κB inhibitor QNZ effectively reduced the ABCG2 and p-NF-κB expression and increased ER stress marker expression. On other hand, invasion and migratory effect of OXA-R cells were found to be decreased, when compared to parental cells. Metastasis marker proteins also downregulated in OXA-R cells. ABCG2 inhibitor verapamil, downregulate ABCG2, induce ER stress markers and induces apoptosis. In vivo studies in nude mice also confirms the same.

Fisetin mediated apoptotic cell death in parental and Oxaliplatin/irinotecan resistant colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Irinotecan (CPT11) and Oxaliplatin have been used in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin for treating colorectal cancer. However, the efficacy of these drugs is reduced due to various side effects and drug resistance. Fisetin, a hydroxyflavone possess anti-proliferative, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity against various types of cancers. Apart from that, fisetin has been shown to induce cytotoxic effects when combined with other known chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Fisetin was capable of sensitizing both Irinotecan and Oxaliplatin resistance colon cancer cells and explored the possible signaling pathways involved using In vitro and In vivo models. The results showed that Fisetin treatment effectively inhibited cell viability and apoptosis of CPT11-LoVo cells than Oxaliplatin (OR) and parental LoVo cancer cells. Western blot assays suggested that apoptosis was induced by fisetin administration, promoting Caspase-8, and Cytochrome-C expressions possibly by inhibiting aberrant activation of IGF1R and AKT proteins. Furthermore, fisetin inhibited tumor growth in athymic nude mouse xenograft model. Overall, our results provided a basis for Fisetin as a promising agent to treat parental as well as chemoresistance colon cancer.

Overexpression of ZAKß in human osteosarcoma cells enhances ZAKα expression, resulting in a synergistic apoptotic effect.

ZAK is a novel mixed lineage kinase-like protein that contains a leucine-zipper and a sterile-alpha motif as a protein-protein interaction domain, and it is located in the cytoplasm. There are 2 alternatively spliced forms of ZAK: ZAKα and ZAKß. Previous studies showed that ZAKα is involved in various cell processes, including cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and cardiac hypertrophy, but the molecular mechanism of ZAKß is not yet known. In a recent study in our laboratory, we found that ZAKß can ameliorate the apoptotic effect induced by ZAKα in H9c2 cells. We further hypothesized that ZAKß could also improve the apoptotic effect induced by ZAKα in human osteosarcoma cells. The results of this study show that ZAKß can induce apoptosis and decrease cell viability similar to the effects of ZAKα. Interestingly, our ZAKα-specific inhibitor assay shows that the expression of ZAKß is highly dependent on ZAKα expression. However, ZAKß expression effectively induces ZAKα expression and results in synergistic enhancement of apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation results revealed that ZAKα can directly interact with ZAKß, and this interaction may contribute to the enhanced apoptotic effects. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: ZAK is a mixed lineage kinase involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and hypertrophic growth. ZAKα isoform of ZAK is associated with tumorigenesis, but the function of ZAKß is not yet known. In H9c2 cells, ZAKß was found to ameliorate the apoptotic effect induced by ZAKα. However, in osteosarcoma cells, ZAKß elevates the apoptotic effect induced by ZAKα. In this study, we show that similar to ZAKα, the ZAKß induces apoptosis and decreases cell viability. Interestingly, the expression of ZAKß is dependent on ZAKα expression, and ZAKß further enhances ZAKα expression and results in synergistic enhancement of apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells.

Fenofibrate induced PPAR alpha expression was attenuated by oestrogen receptor alpha overexpression in Hep3B cells.

The physiological regulation of Oestrogen receptor α (ERα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. The present study we first treat the cells with fenofibrate and further investigated the possible mechanisms of 17ß-estradiol (E2 ) and/or ERα on regulating PPARα expression. We also found higher PPARα expression in the tumor area than adjacent areas and subsequently compared PPARα expression in four different hepatic cancer cell lines. Hep3B cells were found to express more PPARα than the other cell lines. Using the PPARα agonist fenofibrate, we found that fenofibrate increased Hep3B cell proliferation efficiency by increasing cell cycle proteins, such as cyclin D1 and PCNA, and inhibiting p27 and caspase 3 expressions. Next, we performed transient transfections and immuno-precipitation studies using the pTRE2/ERα plasmid to evaluate the interaction between ERα and PPARα. ERα interacted directly with PPARα and negatively regulated its function. Moreover, in Tet-on ERα over-expressed Hep3B cells, E2 treatment inhibited PPARα, its downstream gene acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), cyclin D1 and PCNA expression and further increased p27 and caspase 3 expressions. However, over-expressed ERα plus 17-ß-estradiol (10-8 M) reversed the fenofibrate effect and induced apoptosis, which was blocked in ICI/melatonin/fenofibrate-treated cells. This study illustrates that PPARα expression and function were negatively regulated by ERα expression in Hep3B cells.

Doxorubicin induces ZAKα overexpression with a subsequent enhancement of apoptosis and attenuation of survivability in human osteosarcoma cells.

Human osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant cancer of the bone. It exhibits a characteristic malignant osteoblastic transformation and produces a diseased osteoid. A previous study demonstrated that doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy decreases human OS cell proliferation and might enhance the relative RNA expression of ZAK. However, the impact of ZAKα overexpression on the OS cell proliferation that is inhibited by DOX and the molecular mechanism underlying this effect are not yet known. ZAK is a protein kinase of the MAPKKK family and functions to promote apoptosis. In our study, we found that ZAKα overexpression induced an apoptotic effect in human OS cells. Treatment of human OS cells with DOX enhanced ZAKα expression and decreased cancer cell viability while increasing apoptosis of human OS cells. In the meantime, suppression of ZAKα expression using shRNA and inhibitor D1771 both suppressed the DOX therapeutic effect. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism underlying the DOX effect on human OS cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that ZAKα enhances the apoptotic effect and decreases cell viability in DOX-treated human OS cells.

Lupeol alters ER stress-signaling pathway by downregulating ABCG2 expression to induce Oxaliplatin-resistant LoVo colorectal cancer cell apoptosis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers and causes of cancer-related death. There are several first-line chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat CRC. Oxaliplatin (OXA) is an alkylating cytotoxic agent that is usually combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs to treat stage II and stage III CRC. However, cancer cells commonly acquire multidrug resistance (MDR), which is a major obstruction to cancer treatment. Recent studies have shown that natural components from traditional Chinese medicine or foods that have many biological functions may be new adjuvant therapies in clinical trials. We challenged LoVo CRC cell lines with OXA in a dose-dependent manner to create an OXA-resistant model. The expression of ABCG2 was significantly higher, and levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers were lower than those Parental cells. However, Lupeol, which is found in fruits and vegetables, has been shown to have bioactive properties, including anti-tumor properties that are relevant to many diseases. In our study, Lupeol downregulated cell viability and activated cell apoptosis. Moreover, Lupeol decreased the expression of ABCG2 and activated ER stress to induce OXA-resistant cell death. Importantly, the anti-tumor effect of Lupeol in OXA-resistant cells was higher than that of LoVo Parental cells. In addition, we also confirmed our results with a xenograft animal model, and the tumor size significantly decreased after Lupeol injections. Our findings show that Lupeol served as a strong chemoresistant sensitizer and could be a new adjuvant therapy method for chemoresistant patients.

Short-Term Hypoxia Reverses Ox-LDL-Induced CD36 and GLUT4 Switching Metabolic Pathways in H9c2 Cardiomyoblast Cells.

High levels of circulating low-density lipoproteins (LDL, plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides) are associated with type 2 diabetes, arteriosclerosis, obesity, and hyperlipidemia. In the heart, the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) has been proposed to play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease. We obtain cholesterol from animals and animal-derived foods such as milk, eggs, and cheese. In previous studies, the ratio of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was shown to be important for our health. High levels of LDL cholesterol lead to atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attack and ischemic stroke. In this study, we utilized Ox-LDL-treated H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells as a simulated hyperlipidemia model. CD36 metabolism pathway proteins (phospho-Akt, SIRT1, PGC1α, PPARα, CPT1ß, and CD36) increased at low doses of Ox-LDL. However, high doses (150 and 200 mg/dL) of Ox-LDL reduced the levels of these proteins. Interestingly, expression of GLUT4 metabolism pathway proteins (phospho-PKCζ) were reduced at low doses, while the expression of phospho-AMPK, phospho-PI3K, phospho-PKCζ, GLUT4, and PDH proteins increased at high doses. Ox-LDL acute treatment induces apoptosis in cardiomyocytes as evidenced by apoptotic nuclei apparition, caspase-3 activation, and cytochrome c release from mitochondria. In our results, Ox-LDL induced lipotoxicity in cardiomyocytes, and subsequent exposure to short-term hypoxia or reversed the Ox-LDL-induced metabolic imbalance. The same result was obtained with the pharmacological activation of SIRT1 by resveratrol and si-PKCζ. The mechanism of metabolic switching during Ox-LDL lipotoxicity seems to be mediated by SIRT1 and PKC ζ. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3785-3795, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Down-regulation of ß-catenin and the associated migration ability by Taiwanin C in arecoline and 4-NQO-induced oral cancer cells via GSK-3ß activation.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for almost a sixth of all reported cancers. Arecoline, from areca nut is known to enhance carcinogenesis in oral squamous cells. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Taiwanin C, from Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata against Arecoline-associated carcinogenesis. An OSCC model was created in C57BL/6J Narl mice by administrating 0.5 mg mL-1 arecoline with 0.2 mg mL-1 4-NQO carcinogen for 8 and 28 wk to mimic the etiology of oral cancer patients in Asia. Mice were sacrificed and two cell lines, T28 from the tumor and N28 cancerous cell line from the surrounding non tumor area, were established. Taiwanin C showed effective anti-tumor activity in nude mice models. Taiwanin C significantly inhibited the cell viability of T28 cells in a dose dependent manner, but did not inflict any effect on N28 normal cells. Taiwanin C treatment inhibited the migration ability of T28 cells in a dose dependent manner as determined by wound healing and migration assays. Taiwanin C also reduced the levels of ß-catenin and its downstream metastatic proteins, Tbx3 and c-Myc. Besides, Taiwanin C inhibited the nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin and induced ß-catenin degradation via proteasome-mediated pathway. Moreover, Taiwanin C enhanced GSK-3ß and reduced the p-ser9 GSK-3ß protein level to inactivate Wnt signaling. Taken together, Taiwanin C blocked the cell migration effects of T28 cells mediated through the activation of GSK-3ß to enhance protein degradation and reduce nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Improvements in Left Ventricular Diastolic Mechanics After Parachute Device Implantation in Patients With Ischemia Heart Failure: A Cardiac Computerized Tomographic Study.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ventricular restoration therapy with the use of a left ventricle (LV)-partitioning Parachute device has emerged as a clinical treatment option for LV apical aneurysm after extensive anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). We assessed changes of diastolic mechanics and functional improvements following LV Parachute device implantation by means of cardiac computerized tomography (CCT). METHODS AND RESULTS: CCT data were obtained from 28 patients before and after LV Parachute device implantation. Diastolic functional indices were determined by means of quantitative CCT assessment: 1) transmitral velocities in early (E) and late (A) diastole and ratio (E/A); 2) early diastolic mitral septal tissue velocity (Ea) and E/Ea; and 3) vortex formation time (VFT). Functional improvements were assessed with the use of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. Among the study patients, there were no significant differences in all transmitral velocities and E/A, though there was significantly increased Ea, reduced E/Ea, and greater VFT 6 months after LV Parachute device implantation. Finally, the improvement of diastolic functional indices after Parachute treatment correlated with observed clinical functional alterations (Δ E/Ea and Δ NYHA functional class:, r = 0.563; P = .002; Δ VFT and Δ NYHA functional class: r = -0.507; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: LV Parachute device implantation therapy in heart failure caused by AMI and LV apical aneurysm formation showed improvements in several diastolic functional mechanics according to CCT-based measures.

Taiwanin C selectively inhibits arecoline and 4-NQO-induced oral cancer cell proliferation via ERK1/2 inactivation.

Arecoline, the most abundant alkaloid in betel nut is known to promote abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells by enhancing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression. Taiwanin C, a naturally occurring lignan extracted from Taiwania cryptomerioides, has been found to be a potential inhibitor of COX2 expression. Based on the MTT assay results, taiwanin C was found to be effective in inhibiting the tumorous T28 cell than the non-tumorous N28 cells. The modulations in the expression of relevant proteins were determined to understand the mechanism induced by taiwanin C to inhibit T28 cell proliferation. The levels of activated EGFR and COX2 were found to be abnormally high in the T28 oral cancer cells. However, taiwanin C was found to inhibit the activation of EGFR and regulated other related downstream proteins and thereby inhibited the T28 cell proliferation. In conclusion the results indicate that taiwanin C suppresses COX2-EGFR and enhances P27 pathways to suppress arecoline induced oral cancer cell proliferation via ERK1/2 inactivation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 62-69, 2017.

Inhibition of NF-κB and metastasis in irinotecan (CPT-11)-resistant LoVo colon cancer cells by thymoquinone via JNK and p38.

Clinically used chemotherapeutics can effectively eliminate most tumor cells. However, they cause unwanted side effects and result in chemoresistance. To overcome such problems, phytochemicals are now used to treat cancers by means of targeted therapy. Thymoquinone (TQ) is used to treat different cancers (including colon cancer) and is an NF-κB inhibitor. Irinotecan resistant (CPT-11-R) LoVo colon cancer cell line was previous constructed by step-wise CPT-11 challenges to un-treated parental LoVo cells and expresses EGFR/IKKα/ß/NF-κB pathway. TQ resulted in reduced total and phosphorylation of IKKα/ß and NF-κB and decreased metastasis in CPT-11-R cells. TQ not only reduced activity of ERK1/2 and PI3K but also activated JNK and p38. Furthermore, TQ was also found to suppress metastasis through activation of JNK and p38. Therefore, TQ suppressed metastasis through NF-κB inhibition and activation of JNK and p38 in CPT-11-R LoVo colon cancer cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 669-678, 2017.

Attenuation of the LPS-induced, ERK-mediated upregulation of fibrosis-related factors FGF-2, uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 by Carthamus tinctorius L in cardiomyoblasts.

Severe and potentially fatal hypotension and cardiac contractile dysfunction are common symptoms in patients with sepsis. LPS was previously found to dramatically upregulate expression of fibrosis-related factors FGF-2, uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in primary cardiac fibroblasts. MMPs are capable of denaturing and degrading fibrillar collagens and other components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Studies have shown that dysregulation of expression of MMPs is associated with development of myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling and cardiac fibrosis, which contribute to progression of heart failure. In this study, H9c2 cells and cardiac fibroblasts were divided into five treatment groups: control, LPS (1 µg/mL) and three concentrations of FCEtOH (Carthami Flos ethanolic extract) (31.25, 62.5, and 125 µg/mL). Phosphorylation of ERK-1/2 was observed to be rapidly induced upon treatment with LPS. In contrast, it was significantly suppressed by the administration of FCEtOH (125 µg/mL). Effects of FCEtOH on LPS-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in H9c2 cells occurred directly through ERK1/2 were determined. H9c2 cells were therefore pretreated with EGF-R to activate ERK pathway. Both protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and immunefluorescent signals of MMP-9 were significantly enhanced by EGFR. In contrast, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly reduced after FCEtOH administration. Based on these findings, the authors concluded that FCEtOH elicits a protective effect against LPS-induced cardio-fibrosis through the ERK1/2 pathway. Carthamus tinctorius L may potentially serve as a cardio-protective agent against LPS- induced cardiac fibrosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 754-763, 2017.

Estrogen and ERα enhanced ß-catenin degradation and suppressed its downstream target genes to block the metastatic function of HA22T hepatocellular carcinoma cells via modulating GSK-3ß and ß-TrCP expression.

In our previous experiments, we found ß-catenin was highly expressed in the tumor area with high invasive ability and poor prognosis. In this study, we have examined the mechanism by which ERα regulates ß-catenin expression as well as the metastasis ability of hepatocellular cancer HA22T cells. To identify whether the anticancer effect of estrogen and ERα is mediated through suppression of ß-catenin expression, we co-transfected pCMV-ß-catenin and ERα into HA22T cells, and determined the cell motility by wound healing, invasion, and migration assays. Results showed that estrogen and/or ERα inhibited ß-catenin gene expression and repressed HA22T cell motility demonstrated that similar data was observed in cells expressing the ERα stable clone. Moreover, we examined the protein-protein interaction between ERα and ß-catenin by immunostain, co-immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting. E2 enhanced the binding of ERα with ß-catenin and then triggered ß-catenin to bind with E3 ligase (ßTrCP) to promote ß-catenin degradation. Finally by employing systematic ChIP studies, we showed ERα can interact directly with the ß-catenin promoter region following E2 treatment. All our results reveal that estrogen and ERα blocked metastatic function of HA22T cells by modulating GSK3ß and ßTrCP expression and further enhanced ß-catenin degradation and suppressed its downstream target genes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 519-529, 2017.

Taiwanin E inhibits cell migration in human LoVo colon cancer cells by suppressing MMP-2/9 expression via p38 MAPK pathway.

Taiwanin E is a natural compound which is structurally analogous to estrogen II and is abundantly found in Taiwania cryptomerioides. It has been previously reported for its anticancer effects; however, the pharmaceutical effect of Taiwanin E on Human LoVo colon cancer cells is not clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of Taiwanin E on metastasis and the associated mechanism of action on Human LoVo colon cancer cells with respect to the modulations in their cell migration and signaling pathways associated with migration. The results showed that Taiwanin E inhibited cell migration ability correlated with reduced expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, Taiwanin E induced activation of p38 through phosphorylation. Inhibition of p38α/ß significantly abolished the effect of Taiwanin E on cell migration and MMP-2/-9 activity. Our results conclude that Taiwanin E inhibited cell migration chiefly via p38α MAPK pathway and in a lesser extend via p38ß MAPK. The results elucidate the potential of the phytoestrogen natural compound Taiwanin E as a cancer therapeutic agent in inhibiting the cell migration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 2021-2031, 2017.

Prostaglandin E2-Induced COX-2 Expressions via EP2 and EP4 Signaling Pathways in Human LoVo Colon Cancer Cells.

Metastasis is the most dangerous risk faced by patients with hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been observed in several types of human cancers and regulates the efficacy of many therapies. Here, we show that treatment with various concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 0, 1, 5 or 10 µM) promotes the migration ability of the human LoVo colon cancer cell line. As demonstrated by mRNA and protein expression analyses, EP2 and EP4 are the major PGE2 receptors expressed on the LoVo cell membrane. The Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt cell survival pathway was upregulated by EP2 and EP4 activation. Following the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, ß-catenin translocated into the nucleus and triggered COX2 transcription via LEF-1 and TCF-4 and its subsequent translation. COX2 expression correlated with the elevation in the migration ability of LoVo cells. The experimental evidence shows a possible mechanism by which PGE2 induces cancer cell migration and further suggests PGE2 to be a potential therapeutic target in colon cancer metastasis. On inhibition of PGE2, in order to determine the downstream pathway, the levels of PI3K/Akt pathway were suppressed and the ß-catenin expression was also modulated. Inhibition of EP2 and EP4 shows that PGE2 induces protein expression of COX-2 through EP2 and EP4 receptors in LoVo colon cancer cells.

San Huang Shel Shin Tang beta-cyclodextrin complex augmented the hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND: San Huang Shel Shin Tang (SHSST) is a traditional herbal decoction used as a hepato-protective agent and is composed of Rheum officinale Baill, Scutellaria baicalnsis Geprgi and Coptis chinensis Franch (2:1:1 w/w). Beta-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) modification may potentially increase the solubility and spectral properties of SHSST. METHODS: In this research, the hepato-protective effects of unmodified SHSST, ß-CD modified SHSST complex (SHSSTc) and silymarin were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. RESULTS: SHHSTc (40 mg/kg/day) and silymarin (100 mg/kg/day) both decreased the CCl4-induced cirrhosis pathway-related transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) and apoptosis pathway-related caspase-8 protein expressions, but SHSST (40 mg/kg/day) did not reduce TGF-ß and caspase-8 significantly . Moreover, SHHSTc (40 mg/kg/day) enhanced the activation of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) mediated survival pathway than the silymarin (100 mg/kg/day) to protect the liver from damage induced by CCl4. CONCLUSIONS: ß-CD modification promotes hepato-protective effects of SHSST and reduces the required-dosage of the SHSST.

Anti-apoptotic effect of San Huang Shel Shin Tang cyclodextrin complex (SHSSTc) on CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The metabolic loading is heavier in liver especially when injured or inflammation. San Huang Shel Shin Tang (SHSST) was an old traditional herbal decoction, which composed with Rheum officinale Baill, Scutellaria baicalnsis Geprgi and Coptis chinensis Franch (1:1:2 in weight), can provide a liver protection effects. We used a beta-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) drug modification method in reduce of the necessary dose of the SHSST. As the results, the FAS-FADD expressions leaded apoptosis in CCl4 intraperitoneal (IP) injection induced acute liver injury in rats. Silymarin, baicalein, SHSST, and SHSST ß-CD complex (SHSSTc) pretreatments protected liver through the decreasing of the expressions of FAS-FADD and downstream caspase-3 and caspase-8. Particularly, SHSSTc (30 mg/kg day) treatment enhanced cell survival pathway activation through the PI3K, Akt and Bad phosphorylation. Compared with SHSST as well as silymarin and baicalein, SHSSTc provided a magnificent liver protection effect, especially in survival pathway activation/TUNEL-apoptotic cell reduction/serum cholesterol level suppression. All these data suggested that ß-CD complex modified the SHSST and promoted the bioavailability and liver protection effects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 663-670, 2016.

Helioxanthin suppresses the cross talk of COX-2/PGE2 and EGFR/ERK pathway to inhibit Arecoline-induced Oral Cancer Cell (T28) proliferation and blocks tumor growth in xenografted nude mice.

Helioxanthin, an active compound from Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata, has been shown to have various biological activities. However, their anticancer effect in oral squamous cell carcinoma has not been well established yet. Helioxanthin inhibited the proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner by inducing G2/M phase arrest. Similarly, helioxanthin inhibited cyclooxygenase-2, (COX-2), phosphorylated EGFR, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK) protein level and further reduced the nuclear accumulation of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR) and activator protein-1(AP-1) family protein, c-fos. Moreover, helioxanthin at the dose of 20 and 30 mg kg-1 for 15 days reduced the tumor growth in animal model. This study demonstrated that Helioxanthin exerts its anticancer activity against oral cancer cells by downregulating EGFR/ERK/c-fos signaling pathway to inhibit COX-2 level and by activating cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (p27) to further induce G2/M cell cycle arrest. This helioxanthin may serve as a novel candidate for oral cancer prevention. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 2045-2056, 2016.

Health-related quality of life and cost comparison of adjuvant capecitabine versus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin in stage III colorectal cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and costs associated with 2 adjuvant chemotherapy regimens [capecitabine-based therapy versus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV)-based therapy] in stage III colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, open-label, observational, multicenter study from July 2008 to July 2011. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires was used to assess HRQoL before, during, and after treatment. The direct and indirect costs of adjuvant treatment were estimated from a specially prepared questionnaire, the National Health Insurance Research Database, and other published sources. We used propensity scoring to match samples between groups and performed multivariate analyses to adjust for differences in patient demographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 497 patients were enrolled, and 356 completed the surveys. Following propensity score matching, 239 patients were included in the analysis (122 in the capecitabine-based group, 117 in the 5-FU/LV-based group). Global HRQoL scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, compared to patients in the 5-FU/LV-based group, patients in the capecitabine-based group had less nausea and vomiting (mid-term, P = 0.024; final, P = 0.013), appetite loss (mid-term, P < 0.0001; final, P = 0.001), and fewer side effects from chemotherapy (mid-term, P = 0.017). In addition, the monthly cost of capecitabine-based therapy was lower than those of 5-FU/LV-based therapy [NT$31,895.46 (US$1063.18) vs. NT$79,159.24 (US$2638.64) per patient]. CONCLUSIONS: Capecitabine is a reasonable alternative and cost-effective treatment option under current conditions for patients with stage III colorectal cancer.