Synergic actions of botulinum neurotoxin A and oxaliplatin on colorectal tumour cell death through the upregulation of TRPM2 channel-mediated oxidative stress.

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT) is being shown to have anticancer action as a potential adjuvant treatment. The transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin 2 (TRPM2) stimulator action of BoNT was reported in glioblastoma cells, but not in colorectal cancer (HT29) cells. By activating TRPM2, we evaluated the impacts of BoNT and oxaliplatin (OXA) incubations on oxidant and apoptotic values within the HT29 cells. Control, BoNT (5 IU for 24 h), OXA (50 µM for 24 h) and their combinations were induced. We found that TRPM2 protein is upregulated and mediates enhanced BoNT and OXA-induced Ca2+ entry in cells as compared to control cells. The increase of free reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the decrease of glutathione is the main ROS responsible for TRPM2 activation on H29 exposure to oxidative stress. BoNT and OXA-mediated Ca2+ entry through TRPM2 stimulation in response to H2 O2 results in mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, followed by mitochondrial membrane depolarization, apoptosis and caspase-3/-8/-9, although they were diminished in the TRPM2 antagonist groups (N-(p-amylcinnamoyl)anthranilic acid and carvacrol). In conclusion, by increasing the susceptibility of HT29 tumour cells to oxidative stress and apoptosis, the combined administration of BoNT and OXA via the targeting of TRPM2 may offer a different approach to kill the tumour cells.

Trends in traditional and complementary medicine practices in Turkey: Results of two consecutive surveys 2012-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, opinions, experiences and trends regarding herbal treatment, traditional medicine and other complementary and alternative medicine. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted at Meram Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Konya, Turkey, in 2012 and 2018, comprising subjects of either gender aged >18 years. Data was collected using a survey form prepared in the light of relevant literature. Data was summarised and compared between the two studies. RESULTS: Of the 810 subjects in the two studies, there were 405(50%) in 2012 with a mean age of 32.5±14.0 years, while the remaining 405(50%) were part of the 2018 study with a mean age of 34.4±13.8. There were significant differences between the two group of subjects about the use and indications of traditional and complementary medicine as those who believed traditional and complementary medicine was proper to use increased and those who believed it should not be used decreased significantly (p<0.001). There was a twofold increase in the use of social media as the source of relevant information (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes in trends related to the use of traditional and complementary medicine between 2012 and 2018 were observed.