Analysis and Identification of Active Compounds from Gami-Soyosan Toxic to MCF-7 Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Gami-soyosan is a medicinal herbal formulation prescribed for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and osteoporosis. Gami-soyosan is also used to treat similar symptoms experienced by patients with breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer in women receiving hormone replacement therapy is a big burden. However, little is known about the components and their mechanism of action that exhibit these beneficial effects of Gami-soyosan. The aim of this study was to simultaneously analyze compounds of Gami-soyosan, and determine their cytotoxic effects on estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells. We established a simultaneous analysis method of 18 compounds contained in Gami-soyosan and found that, among the various compounds in Gami-soyosan, gallic acid (1), decursin (17), and decursinol angelate (18) suppressed the viability of MCF-7 cells. Gallic acid (1), decursin (17), and decursinol angelate (18) induced apoptotic cell death and significantly increased poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and the Bcl-2-associated X protein/ B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bax/Bcl-2) ratio. Decursin (17) increased the expression of cleaved caspases-8, -9, -7, and -3. Decursinol angelate (18) increased the expression of cleaved caspase-8 and -7. These three components altered the different apoptosis signal pathways. Collectively, gallic acid (1), decursin (17), and decursinol angelate (18) may be used to inhibit cell proliferation synergistically in patients with ER-positive breast cancer.

Predicting postoperative total calcium requirements after parathyroidectomy in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To prevent hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy (PTX), parenteral calcium is required in addition to oral calcitriol and calcium. After switching to oral calcium, patients can be discharged from the hospital. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PTX performed at a single Korean center and to investigate the associated laboratory factors used to analyze the total amount of postoperative calcium required. METHODS: We enrolled 91 hemodialysis patients undergoing PTX from November 2003 to December 2011. We collected clinical and laboratory data preoperatively, 12 and 48 hours postoperatively, at discharge, and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: In total, 59 patients underwent PTX with autotransplantation (AT), 6 underwent total PTX without AT, 11 underwent subtotal PTX, and 15 underwent limited PTX. Total PTX without AT showed the lowest recurrence rate. At all postoperative time points, the mean levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) decreased significantly, compared with preoperative levels; however, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased significantly from 48 hours postoperatively to discharge (p < 0.001). On multiple linear regression analysis, the total amount of injected calcium during hospitalization showed a significant correlation with preoperative ALP (p < 0.001), preoperative iPTH (p = 0.037), and Δphosphorus at 48 hours (p < 0.001). We developed an equation for estimating the total calcium requirement after PTX. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ALP, preoperative iPTH, and Δphosphorus at 48 hours may be significant factors in estimating the postoperative calcium requirement. The formula for postoperative calcium requirement after PTX may help to predict the duration of postoperative hospitalization.