Kaempferol alleviates adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance in db/db mice by inhibiting the STING/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Chronic inflammation induced by obesity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. The infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissues contributes to adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Kaempferol, a flavonoid present in various vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we used leptin receptor-deficient obese mice (db/db) as an insulin-resistant model and investigated the effects of kaempferol treatment on obesity-induced insulin resistance. Our findings revealed that the administration of kaempferol (50 mg/kg/day, for 6 weeks) significantly reduced body weight, fat mass, and adipocyte size. Moreover, it effectively ameliorated abnormal glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in db/db mice. In the adipose tissue of obese mice treated with kaempferol, we observed a reduction in macrophage infiltration and a downregulation of mRNA expression of M1 marker genes TNF-α and IL-1ß, accompanied by an upregulation of Arg1 and IL-10 mRNA expression. Additionally, kaempferol treatment significantly inhibited the STING/NLRP3 signaling pathway in adipose tissue. In vitro experiments, we further discovered that kaempferol treatment suppressed LPS-induced inflammation through the activation of NLRP3/caspase 1 signaling in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our results suggest that kaempferol may effectively alleviate inflammation and insulin resistance in the adipose tissue of db/db mice by modulating the STING/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Design and construction of poly (L-lactic-acid) nanofibrous yarns and threads with controllable structure and performances.

The design and development of electrospun nanofibrous yarns (ENYs) have attracted intensive attentions in the fields of biomedical textiles and tissue engineering, but the inferior fiber arrangement structure, low yarn eveness, and poor tensile properties of currently-obtained ENYs has been troubled for a long time. In this study, a series of innovative strategies which combined a modified electrospinning method with some traditional textile processes like hot stretching, twisting, and plying, were designed and implemented to generate poly (L-lactic-acid) (PLLA) ENYs with adjustable morphology, structure, and tensile properties. PLLA ENYs made from bead-free and uniform PLLA nanofibers were fabricated by our modified electrospinning method, but the as-spun PLLA ENYs exhibited relatively lower fiber alignment degree and tensile properties. A hot stretching technique was explored to process the primary PLLA ENYs to improve the fiber alignment and crystallinity, resulting in a 779.7% increasement for ultimate stress and a 470.4% enhancement for Young's modulus, respectively. Then, the twisting post-treatment was applied to process as-stretched PLLA ENYs, and the tensile performances of as-twisted ENYs was found to present a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increasing of twisting degree. Finally, the PLLA threads made from different numbers of as-stretched PLLA ENYs were also manufactured with a traditional plying process, demonstrating the feasibility of further improving the yarn diameter and tensile properties. In all, this study reported a simple and cost-effective technique roadmap which could generate high performance PLLA nanofiber-constructed yarns or threads with controllable structures like highly aligned fiber orientation, twisted structure, and plied structure.

Effect of long non-coding RNA AOC4P on gastrointestinal stromal tumor cells.

OBJECTIVE: In this research, we explored the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AOC4P on gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of lncRNA AOC4P in tissues was detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in tissues were analyzed by Western blot. The experiment included negative control group (CN), silence AOC4P group (si AOC4P), and silence negative control group (si CT). RT-PCR, MTT, Scratch, Transwell, and Annexin V-FITC methods were used to detect the expression of lncRNA AOC4P, cell proliferation, cell migration ability, cell invasion ability, and apoptosis, respectively. The EMT-related proteins including TGF-ß, ZEB1, Vimentin, Snail, and E-cadherin were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of lncRNA AOC4P and the expression of EMT-related proteins in high-risk GISTs were higher than that in low- and intermediate-risk GISTs (P<0.05). It was revealed that cell proliferative migration and invasive ability in si AOC4P group was decreased than that in CN and si CT groups (P<0.05), and cell apoptosis in si AOC4P group was higher than that in si CT group. The results of Western blot demonstrated that the expression of TGF-ß1, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail in si AOC4P group were lower than that in si CT and CN group (P<0.05), and the expression of E-cadherin in si AOC4P group was higher than that in si CT and CN group (P<0.05).

Upregulation of miR-125b is associated with poor prognosis and trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common types of human cancer associated with a poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRs), a class of non-coding RNAs that are 18-25 nucleotides in length, act as key regulators in gene expression, and have been implicated in various human cancer types. miR-125b has been implicated in the malignant progression of gastric cancer. However, the association between miR-125b expression, clinicopathological characteristics and trastuzumab resistance in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric cancer remains unclear. In the current study, in situ hybridization data demonstrated that 81.8% (108/132) of gastric cancer tissues exhibited positive expression of miR-125b, while only 26.3% (10/38) of non-tumor gastric tissues were miR-125b-positive. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction data indicated that the expression level of miR-125b was markedly increased in gastric cancer tissues compared with non-cancerous gastric tissues. Furthermore, the miR-125b level was significantly associated with tumor (T) stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and TNM stage of gastric cancer (P<0.05). Increased miR-125b expression predicated poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. For HER2-positive gastric cancer, the upregulation of miR-125b expression was significantly associated with advanced malignant progression, as well as a poor prognosis (P<0.05). Furthermore, data from the present study indicated that the increased miR-125b level was significantly associated with trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive gastric cancer (P<0.05). Therefore, the current study suggests that miR-125b may become a potential biomarker for predicting prognoses and clinical outcomes in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer that receive trastuzumab treatment.

Comparison of lymph node number and prognosis in gastric cancer patients with perigastric lymph nodes retrieved by surgeons and pathologists.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the numbers of positive and total lymph nodes and prognosis in gastric cancer patients whose perigastric lymph node retrieval was performed by surgeons and pathologists. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical and follow-up data from 1, 056 patients who underwent gastric cancer D2 radical lymph node resection between January 2008 and December 2010 in the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital. The follow-up ended in December 2015. Patients were divided into two groups according to the specialty of physicians who performed the postoperative perigastric lymph node retrieval: the surgeon group (475 cases) and the pathologist group (581 cases). The numbers of positive and total perigastric lymph nodes and the 3- and 5-year survival were compared between gastric cancer patients in the two groups overall and stratified by TNM stage (the 7th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer). RESULTS: Overall, the numbers of positive and total lymph nodes were significantly higher in the surgeon group than in the pathologist group (6.53±4.07 vs. 4.09±3.70, P=0.021; 29.64±11.50 vs. 20.71±8.56, P<0.001). Further analysis showed that the total number of lymph nodes in stage I patients (19.40±9.62 vs. 15.45±8.59, P=0.011) and the numbers of positive and total lymph nodes in stage II (1.38±1.08 vs. 0.87±1.55, P=0.031; 25.35±10.80 vs. 16.75±8.56, P<0.001) and stage III patients (8.11±6.91 vs. 6.66±5.12, P=0.026; 32.34±12.55 vs. 25.45±8.31, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the surgeon group than in the pathologist group. The survival analysis showed that the 3- and 5-year survival of stage II and III patients was significantly higher in the surgeon group than in the pathologist group (82.0% vs. 73.1%, 69.5% vs. 61.2%, P=0.038; 49.2% vs. 38.9%, 36.3% vs. 28.0%; P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with retrieval performed by pathologists, postoperative perigastric lymph node retrieval performed by surgeons was associated with significant increase in the total lymph node number of stage I patients, the numbers of positive and total lymph nodes of stage II and III patients, and the survival of stage II and stage III gastric cancer patients.

Overexpression of Long Non-Coding RNA TUG1 Promotes Colon Cancer Progression.

BACKGROUND Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide. It is still necessary to further define the mechanisms and explore therapeutic targets of colon cancer. Dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been shown to be correlated with diverse biological processes, including tumorigenesis. This study aimed to characterize the biological mechanism of taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) in colon cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression level of TUG1 and p63 in 75 colon cancer tissues and the matched adjacent non-tumor tissue. In vitro, cultured colon cancer cell lines HCT-116 and LoVo were used as cell models. TUG1 and p63 were silenced via transferring siRNA into HCT-116 or LoVo. The effects of TUG1 were investigated by examining cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. RESULTS Among the 75 colon cancer cases, the expression of TUG1 was significantly higher in colon cancer tissues compared with the matched adjacent non-tumor tissue, while p63 expression was lower in the tumor tissue. In HCT-116 and LoVo, the expression of TUG1 was significantly increased by p63 siRNA transfection. Furthermore, down-regulation of TUG1 by siRNA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and promoted colon cancer cell apoptosis. In addition, inhibition of TUG1 expression significantly blocked the cell migration ability of colon cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS LncRNA TUG1 may serve as a potential oncogene for colon cancer. Overexpressed TUG1 may contribute to promoting cell proliferation and migration in colon cancer cells.

Loss of microRNA-145 expression is involved in the development and prognosis of breast cancer complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationships of the expression of miR-145 to the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with breast cancer complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 257 female patients with breast cancer were enrolled for our experiment, including 140 patients with simple breast cancer (control group) and 117 patients with breast cancer complicated by T2DM (observation group). Patients were treated with modified radical mastectomy supplemented with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. qRT-PCR was used for the detection of miR-145 expression in patients of both groups. Follow-up lasted 13-60 months. RESULTS: The relative expression of miR-145 in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). The expression of miR-145 in patients with breast cancer complicated by T2DM was related to the history of diabetes, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis (LNM), estrogen receptor (ER) status, and HER2 (all p<0.05). The median disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly longer and the 5-year DFS rate significantly higher in the high-expression group than in the low-expression group. History of diabetes, TNM stage, tumor size, LNM, ER status, and HER2 were risk factors for patients with breast cancer complicated by T2DM (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Loss of miR-145 expression is related to the development of breast cancer complicated by T2DM, and low miR-145 expression might be an adverse prognostic factor in patients with this disease.

Nitidine chloride inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by suppressing the ERK signaling pathway.

Nitidine chloride (NC) is a natural bioactive phytochemical alkaloid that has displayed anticancer activity in various types of cancer. However, no evidence has been reported for the direct effect of NC on CRC cell proliferation and apoptosis, and the underling mechanisms to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of NC on the apoptosis and proliferation of CRC cells. The viability and proliferation of CRC cells was measured by MTT assay and a [3H] thymidine uptake assay. Apoptosis was measured using a flow cytometric apoptosis assay and TUNEL staining. The expression levels of apoptotic­regulated proteins in addition to extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK) were measured by western blot analysis following stimulation with NC. The results indicated that NC inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells in a dose­ and time­dependent manner. Additionally, apoptotic induction by NC treatment was confirmed. Furthermore, NC was demonstrated to significantly upregulate the expression of Bax, p53, cleaved caspase­3 and ­9 and downregulate the expression of Bcl­2. Treatment with NC reduced the phosphorylation of ERK and by using an ERK inhibitor, U0126, the roles of NC in apoptotic induction and the inhibition of proliferation were further demonstrated. These results demonstrated that NC inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of CRC cells via the ERK signaling pathway.

Interpreting the distinct and shared genetic characteristics between Epstein-Barr virus associated and non-associated gastric carcinoma.

Gastric carcinoma is one of the major causes of cancer mortality worldwide. There is a better prognosis for patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) compared with those with EBV negative gastric carcinoma (EBVnGC). It is partly due to the fact that EBV infection recruits lymphocytes infiltrating the tumor. It has been reported that this infection indeed resulted in the changes in immune response genes and thus preventing the development of tumor. It is worthwhile to do a systematic study of EBVaGC and EBVnGC based on genetic characteristics and pathways. In this study, we investigated the information of gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway annotations to characterize EBVaGC and EBVnGC-related genes. By applying minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) algorithm, we provided an optimal set of features for identifying the EBVaGC and EBVnGC. We also employed the shortest path algorithm to probe the novel EBVaGC- and EBVnGC-related genes based on the interaction network of genes that differently expressed in them respectively. We obtained 1039 and 1003 features to identify these two types of gastric carcinoma respectively. Based on the optimal features of classification, we predicted 1881 and 2475 novel genes as additional candidates to support clinical research respectively for these two types of gastric cancers. We compared the differences and similarities of molecular traits between EBVaGC and EBVnGC, which would facilitate the understanding of gastric cancer and its therapy and was thus clinically relevant.

Association between TCF7L2 polymorphisms and breast cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the relationship between transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) polymorphisms and breast cancer susceptibility. METHODS: PubMed, Embase and CNKI databases were used to search the related studies investigating the correlation between TCF7L2 polymorphisms and breast cancer susceptibility. Pooled ORs and 95% CIs, based on five genetic models, were applied to estimate the association betweenTCF7L2 polymorphisms and breast cancer. A fixed-effect model or a random-effect model was applied according to the between-study heterogeneity. RESULTS: We analyzed six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TCF7L2 gene, namely rs12255372, rs7903146, rs7900150, rs3750805, rs1225404 and rs7003146. The increased risk of breast cancer was associated with TCF7L2 polymorphisms (22 vs. 11: OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.02-1.32; 22+12 vs. 11: OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.02-1.10; 22 vs. 11+12: OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.04-1.27; 2 vs. 1: OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.02-1.13; 12 vs. 11: OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01-1.09). Among the locus, rs7903146 polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk for breast cancer under five genetic models (TT vs. CC: OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.08-1.53; TT+CT vs. CC: OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.01-1.18; TT vs. CC+CT: OR=1.24, 95% CI=1.05-1.48; T vs. C: OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.04-1.19; CT vs. CC: OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.00-1.17). Additionally, rs7900150 also showed effects on the susceptibility of breast cancer (TT vs. AA: OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.07-1.39; TT+AT vs. AA: OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.00-1.14; TT vs. AA+AT: OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07-1.37; T vs. A: OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.02-1.15; AT vs. AA: OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.01-1.33). Meanwhile, we found that rs3750805 polymorphism could increased the risk for breast cancer (TT+AT vs. AA: OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.24). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that TCF7L2 polymorphisms may increase the risk for breast cancer.

Four new triterpenes from the endemic relict shrub Tetraena mongolica.

A chemical investigation of the endemic relict shrub Tetraena mongolica led to the isolation of four new triterpenes: 11α,12α:13ß,28-diepoxyoleanane-3ß-yl trans-caffeate (1), 3ß-hydroxy-11α,12α-epoxyoleanane-28-al (2), olean-11-en-28-al-3ß-yl trans-caffeate (3), and 28-acetoxy-olean-12-en-3ß-yl trans-caffeate (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods.

Alkaloids from Pachysandra terminalis inhibit breast cancer invasion and have potential for development as antimetastasis therapeutic agents.

The aim of the present study was to identify potentially useful natural compounds for the development of novel therapeutic agents to inhibit metastasis. A phytochemical investigation of Pachysandra terminalis resulted in the isolation of seven new pregnane alkaloids, terminamines A-G (1-7), and seven known alkaloids (8-14). The structures of 1-7 were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods. Compounds 1-5 and 8-14 inhibited the migration of MB-MDA-231 breast cancer cells induced by the chemokine epithelial growth factor. In addition, compound 1 inhibited phosphorylation of integrin ß(1), which plays an important role in MB-MDA-231 cell adhesion and metastasis.

[Antioxidant constituents from Smilax riparia].

By repeated column chromatography, including silica gel, toyopearl HW-40 and preparative HPLC, thirteen compounds (1-13) were isolated and purified from Smilax riparia. On the basis of spectral data analysis, the structures of isolated compounds were elucidated as 5-methoxy-[6]-gingerol (1), dehydroabietic acid (2), pteryxin (3), 2-methylphenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzonic acid (5), isovanillin (6), vanillic acid (7), p-hydroxycinnamic acid (8), p-hydroxycinnamic methyl ester (9), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (10), ferulic acid methyl ester (11), benzoic acid (12) and 5-hydroxy-methyl-2-furalclehyde (13). Compounds 1-4 and 8-12 were isolated from this genus for the first time. All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1 and 5-11 showed antioxidant activities on DPPH method.

[Studies on anti-tumor metastatic constituents from Lindera glauca].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-tumor metastatic constituents from Lindera glauca. METHOD: Constituent isolation and purification was carried by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40 and preparative HPLC). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. The anti-tumor metastasis assay was applied to evaluate the isolated compounds of their activities. RESULT: Ten compounds (1 - 10) were isolated and their structures were identified by comparison of their spectral data with literature values as follows: Laurotetanine (1), N-methyllaurotetanine (2), reticuline (3), pallidine (4), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (5), N-cis-feruloyltyramine (6), atheroline (7), norisosocorydine (8), [9,9,9-(2) H3]-(1S*, 3S*, 4S*, 8S*)-p-menthane-3,8-diol (9), [9,9,9-(2) H3 ]-(1S*, 3R*, 4S*, 8S*)-p-Menthane-3,8-diol (10). Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 showed positive anti-tumor metastatic activities,and compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities. CONCLUSION: Compound 3 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 9 and 10 were isolated from Lindera genus for the first time. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities.

[Studies on anti-tumor metastatic constituents from Ardisia Crenata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-tumor metastatic constituents from Ardisia Crenata. METHOD: Chemical constituents were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography( silica gel, Toyopearl HW40C and preparative HPLC). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. The anti-tumor metastasis assay was applied to evaluate the isolated compounds of their activities. RESULT: Nine compounds(1-9) were isolated and their structures were identified by comparison of their spectral data with literature values as follows: 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furalclehyde(1), ethyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside(2), syringic acid(3), n-butyl-beta-D-fructofuranoside(4), n-butyl-alpha-D-fructofuranoside(5), methyl-alpha-D-fructofuranoside(6), (+)-bergenin(7), ardisiacrispins B(8), asperuloside acid(9). The isolated compounds(1-9) showed positive anti-tumor metastatic activities, and compounds 1, 5, and 8 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities. At the concentration of 0.8 mg x L(-1), compound 5 revealed the value of metastatic inhibition ratio on MDA-MB-231 was 93.8%. CONCLUSION: Compounds 2-6 and 9 were isolated from this plant for the first time. compounds 1, 5 and 8 showed significant anti-tumor metastatic activities.

[Phenol constituents of Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the phenol constituents from Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activities. METHOD: Constituent isolation and purification was carried by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40 and preparative HPLC), and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. DPPH method was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of the isolated compounds. RESULT: Nine phenol compounds (1-9) were isolated and their structures were identified as follow: p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1), vanillin (2), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -ethanone (3), syringaldehyde (4), salicylic acid (5), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (6), ferulic acid (7), 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid (8), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (9). The isolated compounds showed obviously antioxidant activity. At the concentration of 50 micromol x L(-1), compounds 7-9 revealed DPPH free radical scavenging rates were 87.8%, 97.8% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-9 were isolated from this genus for the first time. They showed the significant antioxidant activity.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Pachysandra terminalis and their antioxidant activity. METHODS: Chemical constituents were isolated by repeated column chromatography (silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40C and preparative HPLC). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis. DPPH method was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity of the isolated compounds. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as follow: 2-Phenylethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (+)Pinoresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), Pinoresinol (3), cis-Syringin (4), 4-hydroxy-4-(3-oxo-l-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-l-one (5), 3alpha-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (6). Compounds 2, 4, 5 showed obviously antioxidant activity, their DPPH free radical scavenging rates were 82.50%, 87.36%, and 84.56% on the concentration of 50 micromol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-6 are isolated from this genus for the first time. Compounds 2, 4, and 5 showed significant antioxidant activities.