[Research of beta-elemene interventional treatment on VX2 carcinoma transplanted on kidney in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect and mechanism of beta-elemene interventional treatment on VX2 carcinoma transplanted on kidney in rabbits. METHODS: The rabbits were all transplanted with VX2 carcinoma on kidney. Fifty-five rabbits were randomly divided into 11 groups. Rabbits in these groups were administered interventional treatment of normal saline, iodinated oil, mitomycin, 5-fluorouracil, beta-elemene, cisplatin, carboplatin, adriamycin, thiotepa, cyclophopsphamide, and vincristine, respectively. After corresponding intervention, the tumor volume in each group was measured by ultrasonography and spiral computed tomography, and the tumor growth rate (TGR) was calculated. Nenal and hepatic functions of the rabbits in each group were compared 1 day, 7 and 14 days after the interventional treatment. Morphologic change of the tumor was observed by a light microscopy and a transmission electron microscopy 14 days after interventional treatment. The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 were measured by immunohistochemical straining. RESULTS: There was statistical significance in the effects of different medicines intervened on VX2 kidney transplanted carcinoma. The VX2 carcinoma of rabbits had high-sensitivity to iodized oil embolism, mitomycin, cisplatin and carboplatin, which showed serious damage to the kidney function, medium-sensitivity to beta-elemene, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil, in which beta-elemene showed slight damage to the kidney function, and resistance to thiotepa, cyclohosphamide and vincristine. Most tumor cells displayed apoptosis in the beta-elemene interventional treatment group under light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and only few tumor cells displayed necrosis. The Bax expression was up-regulated (P<0.05) and the Bcl-2 expression had no significant difference (P>0.05) in the beta-elemene interventional treatment group. CONCLUSION: Intervention treatment of beta-elemene has significant effect on VX2 kidney transplanted carcinoma and little side effect on the kidney function. Its mechanism is related to enhancing the apoptosis of tumor cells, and Bax gene participates in this action.

[Effects of matrine on proliferation and apoptosis of human renal cell carcinoma cell line GRC-1].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of matrine on proliferation and apoptosis of human renal cell carcinoma cell line GRC-1 in vitro, and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: The human renal cell carcinoma cell line GRC-1 was treated with matrine of different concentrations for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h respectively. The MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of matrine on GRC-1 cells. The transmission electron microscope and flow cytometry were utilized to observe and detect the apoptosis of GRC-1 cells induced by matrine. The expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were evaluated by streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method. RESULTS: The matrine of different concentrations all have cytotoxic effects on GRC-1 cells, with obvious dose- and time-dependent effects. The apoptosis induced by matrine was confirmed in GRC-1 cells. With intervention of matrine (1.5 g/L) for 12 h, the expression level of Bcl-2 in GRC-1 cells was decreased while the expression level of Bax was increased as compared with those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: The proliferation-inhibiting effects of matrine on human renal cell carcinoma cell line GRC-1 may be related to down-regulating the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax protein expression and promoting the apoptosis.

[Radiosensitization of beta-elemene on VX2 carcinoma transplanted on kidney in rabbits in vivo].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the radiosensitization of beta-elemene on VX2 carcinoma transplanted on kidney in rabbits in vivo. METHODS: The rabbits were all transplanted with VX2 carcinoma on kidney. The appropriate dose of beta-elemene infusion via renal artery for further study on radiosensitization was determined. Then fifty-five rabbits were divided into three groups: untreated group, radiation group and radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group. After corresponding intervention for each group, the tumor volume was measured by ultrasonography and spiral computed tomography. The sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) of beta-elemene was calculated. The pathological change of tumor tissue in kidney was observed by light microscopy and electron transmission microscopy. The apoptotic index was also examined by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling method. RESULTS: The most significant radiosensitivity was observed in the radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group with 6 Mev X-ray radiation dose of 3 Gy.Fx(-1).d(-1) x 5 d and beta-elemene dose of 10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1). The average time delayed for tumor growth was obviously longer in the radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group than those in the untreated group and radiation group. The SER of beta-elemene was 1.89. The apoptotic index of tumor cells in the radiation plus beta-elemene-treated group was also significantly higher than those in the untreated group and radiation group. CONCLUSION: The beta-elemene can enhance the effects of irradiation on VX2 carcinoma transplanted to kidney in rabbits in vivo by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells.