Reversal of cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer stem cells by Taxus chinensis var.

Drug resistance in cells is a major impedance to successful treatment of lung cancer. Taxus chinensis var. inhibits the growth of tumor cells and promotes the synthesis of interleukins 1 and 2 and tumor necrosis factor, enhancing immune function. In this study, T. chinensis var.-induced cell death was analyzed in lung cancer cells (H460) enriched for stem cell growth in a defined serum-free medium. Taxus-treated stem cells were also analyzed for Rhodamine 123 (Rh-123) expression by flow cytometry, and used as a standard functional indicator of MDR. The molecular basis of T. chinensis var.-mediated drug resistance was established by real-time PCR analysis of ABCC1, ABCB1, and lung resistance-related protein (LRP) mRNA, and western blot analysis of MRP1, MDR1, and LRP. Our results revealed that stem cells treated with higher doses of T. chinensis var. showed significantly lower growth inhibition rates than did H460 cells (P < 0.05). The growth of stem and H460 cells treated with a combination of T. chinensis var. and cisplatin was also significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). Rh-123 was significantly accumulated in the intracellular region and showed delayed efflux in stem cells treated with T. chinensis var. (P < 0.05), compared to those treated with verapamil. T. chinensis var.-treated stem cells showed significant downregulation of the ABCC1, ABCB1, and LRP mRNA and MRP1, MDR1, and LRP (P < 0.05) compared to H460 cells. Thus, T. chinensis var.-mediated downregulation of MRP1, MDR1, and LRP might contribute to the reversal of drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer stem cells.

Effects of alfalfa meal on carcase quality and fat metabolism of Muscovy ducks.

1. The effects of alfalfa meal on carcase quality and fat metabolism of Muscovy duck were evaluated. The objective of this research was to establish whether alfalfa meal can reduce fat content and improve carcase quality of Muscovy duck. Animal products with a high fat content present a risk factor for many diseases. Reducing fat content in poultry products is an important goal for the poultry industry. 2. A total of 240 14-d-old white Muscovy ducks were selected and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments containing 0, 3, 6, and 9% of alfalfa meal for 5 weeks. Growth performances were recorded and carcase characteristics and lipid parameters were analysed. 3. Results showed that 3, 6, and 9% alfalfa meal in diet had no significant effects on growth performance of Muscovy ducks from 14 to 49 d of age. Ducks given 3, 6, and 9% alfalfa meal had significantly higher dressing percentage and lower abdominal fat percentage compared with those given no alfalfa meal. Ducks given 9% alfalfa meal had higher breast meat percentage compared with those given no alfalfa meal. The concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and free fatty acid in serum of ducks fed on alfalfa meal decreased. Alfalfa meal in the diet decreased abdominal fat percentage and improved carcase traits of Muscovy duck. 4. The study showed that dietary alfalfa meal decreased abdominal fat percentage and improved carcase traits, without an adverse effect on performance.

Regulatory mechanisms of corticotropin-releasing hormone and vasopressin gene expression in the hypothalamus.

Tuberoinfundibular corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurones are the principal regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis. Vasopressin is primarily a neurohypophysial hormone, produced in magnocellular neurones of the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, but parvocellular CRH neurones also coexpress vasopressin, which acts as a second 'releasing factor' for adrenocorticotropic hormone along with CRH. All stress inputs converge on these hypothalamic neuroendocrine neurones, and the input signals are integrated to determine the output secretion of CRH and vasopressin. Aminergic, cholinergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic and a number of peptidergic inputs have all been implicated in the regulation of CRH/vasopressin neurones. Glucocorticoids inhibit the HPA-axis activity by negative feedback. Interleukin-1 stimulates CRH and vasopressin gene expression, and is implicated in immune-neuroendocrine regulation. cAMP-response element-binding protein phosphorylation may mediate transcriptional activation of both CRH and vasopressin genes, but the roles of AP-1 and other transcription factors remain controversial. Expression profiles of the CRH and vasopressin genes are not uniform after stress exposure, and the vasopressin gene appears to be more sensitive to glucocorticoid suppression.

[Determination of notoginsenoside R1 in radix notoginseng by HPLC-ELSD].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for the determination of notoginsenoside R1 in Radix Notoginseng. METHOD: The HPLC-ELSD method was used for the determination. Chromatographic conditions: Shimpack CLC-ODS column(6.0 mm x 150 mm), acetonitrile-water(30:70) as the mobile phase, and Shimadzu LC-6A with SEDEX 55 ELSD detector. RESULT: The recovery rate is 101.57% and relative standard deviation 1.98%. CONCLUSION: The method is reliable for the quality control of Radix Notoginseng.