Yanghe Huayan decoction inhibits the capability of trans-endothelium and angiogenesis of HER2+ breast cancer via pAkt signaling.

Background: Yanghe Huayan Decoction (YHD), a traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the most common complementary medicine currently used in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). It has been recently linked to suppress precancerous lesion and tumor development. The current study sought to explore the role of YHD on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis of BC. Methods: HER2+ BC cells were treated with YHD, Trastuzumab, or the combination in vitro and in vivo to compare the effects of them on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis features. The present study also investigated the potential molecular mechanism of YHD in inhibiting angiogenesis of BC. Results: YHD significantly suppressed the invasion and angiogenesis of BC cells via elevated pAkt signaling. Administration of YHD in vivo also strikingly repressed angiogenesis in tumor grafts. Conclusion: YHD could partially inhibit and reverse tumorigenesis of BC. It also could inhibit Akt activation and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo Its effect was superior to trastuzumab. Thus it was suitable for prevention and treatment of BC.

[Progress of diagnosis and treatment of precancerous pathological lesions of mammary cancer].

Prevention and treatment of mammary cancer has been taken into great account recently. "Mutistage developing mode" provides the basis for interrupting and reversing precancerous changes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown effects on precancerous changes through inhibiting angiogenesis, promoting apoptosis, modulating endocrine system and restraining oncogene expression. It was stressed in this review that TCM should study the precancerous change of mammary cancer from the aspects of recognizing the essence of precancerous changes of mammary cancer, formulating the standard of TCM diagnosis and treatment, widening the aim of treatment, and focusing on the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine in intervening it.

Expression and significance of heat shock protein 70 and glucose-regulated protein 94 in human esophageal carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the expression and significance of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and glucose-regulated protein 94 (grp94) in human esophageal carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues. METHODS: The expression of HSP70 and grp94 in 78 human esophageal cancer and adjacent normal tissues was studied by immunohistochemistry and pathology photograph analysis. RESULTS: Both esophageal cancer and adjacent normal tissues could express HSP70 and grp94. Of the 78 cases of esophageal carcinoma, 95.0%(72/78) showed positive HSP70, mainly stained in nuclei, while grp94 was mainly stained in cell plasma, and the positive rate was 71.8%(56/78). There was a significant difference in the expression of HSP70 and grp94 between esophageal cancer and adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01). Compared with adjacent normal tissues, there was a significant difference between differential types and HSP70 expression (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: HSP70 and grp94 express differently in cell plasma and nuclei. The expression intensity of HSP70 is related to the differentiation of esophageal carcinoma.

[Clinical research on relationship between angiogensis and TCM syndrome type of cyclomastopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between angiogensis and TCM Syndrome type of cyclomastopathy (CMP) to investigate the objective standardization of TCM Syndrome diagnosis of the disease. METHODS: One hundred and forty patients with CMP were divided into three groups according to TCM syndrome typing. The pathological type, grade and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and microvascular density (MVD) in mammary biopsy were observed. RESULTS: The expressions of VEGF, bFGF and MVD was different in CMP patients of different TCM types and pathological grades (P < 0.05). The proportion of atypical proliferation, the count of MVD and the expression of VEGF and bFGF were higher in patients of phlegm and stasis type than those in Gan stagnation caused Qistagnation type and Chong and Ren meridians disorder type. CONCLUSION: TCM Syndrome type of CMP patients is related with vascular activity and grade of angiogensis. The pathological characteristics of mammary tissue and expression of VEGF, bFGF and MVD can be regarded as the objective indexes of TCM typing and clinical efficacy evaluation for CMP.

[Biocompatibility of polyester net in the cornea of rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To explore biocompatibility and biohealing characteristics of a polyester net with cornea after the net implanted into the cornea lamina. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand rabbits weighing 2.0 - 2.5 kg were randomly divided into experimental and control group. Surgery was performed in right eye of all these animals and the left one as control. A square of implant of 5 - 6 mm in diameter was cut from polyester net (0.2 mm in thickness and 1 mm pore diameter) and implanted into the cornea lamina of experimental group; only a sack was made without implantation in control group. Cornea edema and growth status of new blood vessels were observed at scheduled times after operation; animals were sacrificed 2 weeks, 1, 3, 5 and 8 months after operation and their cornea was removed and examined under light microscopy. RESULTS: Different degrees of cornea edema and new vessels were revealed after surgery. The edema and neovascularization were all automatically disappeared in the period of post-operation or after suture removed. The implant was stable inside the cornea and lasted as longest as 8 months. The number of fibroblasts was markedly increased at the upper and bottom surface of the cornea lamina close to the implant and in the area of net pore particularly. And finally, a close connection of collagen fibers was formed. No serious complications such as necrosis, ulcer, as well as implant dislocation from cornea were seen. CONCLUSION: The polyester net possesses a well biocompatibility with the cornea tissue.

[Rosiglitazone inhibits atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of rosiglitazone on atherosclerosis and potential mechanism in ApoE-knockout mice. METHODS: Thirty-two 6-week-old ApoE-knockout mice were used as atherosclerosis model in two groups: rosiglitazone group (n = 18) and control group (n = 14). Each group contained equal numbers of male and female mice. All mice were fed with normal chow diet. In addition to normal diet, rosiglitazone group received rosiglitazone 17 mg/kg of body weight/day. Venous bloods were collected for plasma glucose and lipid analysis, and aorta were prepared for morphologic and immunohistochemical analysis after 14 weeks. Aortic root (1 cm) was cut and prepared for paraffin slice. The histomorphometric analysis of atherosclerotic lesion was performed by means of HE; positive percentage of macrophage cell and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured by means of immunohistochemistry in cross section. The ratio of lesion/aortic wall surface in the rest aorta was measured by means of Sudan IV staining in longitudinal section. RESULTS: The amount of fatty streak in rosiglitazone group was significantly greater than that of control group; the gross number of lesions and the number of fibrous plaque and atheromatous plaque were similar in two groups. There were no differences in percentage of lesions in cross section in two groups. Rosiglitazone could significantly reduce the extend of atherosclerosis of longitudinal section, decrease the amount of macrophage cell and the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in lesions. The plasma glucose was normal and similar in two groups, and total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly higher in rosiglitazone group. CONCLUSION: Rosiglitazone suppresses the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, reduces the number of macrophage cell in lesion, and inhibits the development of atherosclerosis.

Antitumor immunity induced by DNA vaccine encoding alpha-fetoprotein/heat shock protein 70.

AIM: To construct a DNA vaccine encoding human alpha-fetoprotein (hAFP)/heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and to study its ability to induce specific CTL response and its protective effect against AFP-expressing tumor. METHODS: A DNA vaccine was constructed by combining hAFP gene with HSP70 gene. SP2/0 cells were stably transfected with pBBS212-hAFP and pBBS212-hAFP/HSP70 eukaryotic expression vectors. Mice were primed and boosted with DNA vaccine hAFP/HSP70 by intramuscular injection, whereas plasmid with hAFP or HSP70 was used as controls. ELISPOT and ELISA were used to detect IFN-gamma-producing splenocytes and the level of serum anti-AFP antibody from immunized mice respectively. In vivo tumor challenge was measured to assess the immune effect of the DNA vaccine. RESULTS: By DNA vaccine immunization, the results of ELISPOT and ELISA showed that the number of IFN-gamma-producing splenocytes and the level of serum anti-AFP antibody were significantly higher in rhAFP/HSP70 group than in hAFP and empty plasmid groups (95.50+/-10.90 IFN-gamma spots/10(6) cells vs 23.60+/-11.80 IFN-gamma spots/10(6) cells, 7.17+/-4.24 IFN-gamma spots/10(6) cells, P<0.01; 126.50+/-8.22 microg/mL vs 51.72+/-3.40 microg/mL, 5.83+/-3.79 microg/mL, P<0.01). The tumor volume in rhAFP/HSP70 group was significantly smaller than that in pBBS212-hAFP and empty plasmid groups (37.41+/-7.34 mm(3) vs 381.13+/-15.48 mm(3), 817.51+/-16.25 mm(3), P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Sequential immunization with a recombinant DNA vaccine encoding AFP and heat shock protein70 could generate effective AFP-specific T cell responses and induce definite antitumor effects on AFP-producing tumors, which may be suitable for some clinical testing as a vaccine for HCC.

[Analysis on water-soluble inorganic ions in the atmospheric aerosol of Xinglong].

Size-segregated aerosol samples were collected using Andersen cascade sampler from Sep. 2009 to Aug. 2010 in Xinglong, a regional atmospheric background station. The water-soluble inorganic ions were analyzed by IC. The result showed that the annual concentrations of the total water-soluble inorganic ions were (89.66 +/- 47.66), (54.44 +/- 34.08) and (44.39 +/- 29.95) microg x m(-3) in TSP, PM2.1 and PM1.1 respectively. SO4(2-), NO3(-), Ca(2) and NH4(+) were the dominant contributors of water-soluble inorganic ions. The total water-soluble inorganic ions in PM2.1 accounted for 61% of TSP. The total water-soluble inorganic ions in PM1.1 accounted for 50% and 82% in TSP and PM2.1, respectively. The seasonal variations of the total water-soluble inorganic ion concentration in TSP, PM2.1 and PM1.1 were the same, following the order of summer > autumn > springs > winter. The mean molar ratio of NH4(+) to SO4(2-) was larger than 2, indicating that NH4(+) was not completely neutralized by SO4(2-). NH4(+) -SO4(2-) and NH4(+) -NO3(-) concentrations were strongly correlated (R2 0.96 and 0.87), indicating that NH4(+) was mainly present as (NH4) 2SO4 and NH4NO3.