Sex-based influential factors for dental caries in patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a common mental disorder that seriously affects patients' daily lives and brings heavy psychological and economic burdens to their families and society. The oral problems of patients with schizophrenia are gradually gaining attention, among which dental caries are among the most common oral diseases. Sex differences may be related not only to the various clinical symptoms of schizophrenia but also to different oral hygiene statuses; therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to investigate sex differences related to influencing factors for dental caries in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Inpatients with schizophrenia over 18 years old were included in this study, and multidimensional indicators such as demographics, symptom and cognitive impairment assessments, medications, and the caries index of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) were collected. An analysis of sex-based influential factors for dental caries in schizophrenia patients was performed. RESULTS: Four-hundred and ninety-six patients with schizophrenia were included, with a mean age of 46.73 ± 12.23 years, of which 142 were females and 354 were males. The mean DMFT was significantly higher in males (8.81 ± 8.50) than in females (5.63 ± 6.61, p < 0.001), and the odd ratio of caries in males to females was significantly higher as well (OR = 2.305, p < 0.001). The influential factors of caries in male patients were independently associated with age and smoking status, in which current smokers were at the highest risk for developing caries, and different smoking statuses had various influencing factors for caries. The influencing factors for caries in female patients were independently associated with age, antipsychotic dose, PANSS-positive symptoms, and MMSE levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest sex differences exist among influential factors for caries in patients with schizophrenia. These risk factors may even be associated with and affect the treatment and prognosis of psychiatric symptoms in patients. Therefore, oral hygiene management of patients with schizophrenia should be enhanced. These differential factors provide new visions and ideas for formulating individual interventions, treatments, and care priorities.

Optimized segmented regression models for the transition period of intervention effects.

BACKGROUND: The interrupted time series (ITS) design is a widely used approach to examine the effects of interventions. However, the classic segmented regression (CSR) method, the most popular statistical technique for analyzing ITS data, may not be adequate when there is a transitional period between the pre- and post-intervention phases. METHODS: To address this issue and better capture the distribution patterns of intervention effects during the transition period, we propose using different cumulative distribution functions in the CSR model and developing corresponding optimized segmented regression (OSR) models. This study illustrates the application of OSR models to estimate the long-term impact of a national free delivery service policy intervention in Ethiopia. RESULTS: Regardless of the choice of transition length ([Formula: see text]) and distribution patterns of intervention effects, the OSR models outperformed the CSR model in terms of mean square error (MSE), indicating the existence of a transition period and the validity of our model's assumptions. However, the estimates of long-term impacts using OSR models are sensitive to the selection of L, highlighting the importance of reasonable parameter specification. We propose a data-driven approach to select the transition period length to address this issue. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our OSR models provide a powerful tool for modeling intervention effects during the transition period, with a superior model fit and more accurate estimates of long-term impacts. Our study highlights the importance of appropriate statistical methods for analyzing ITS data and provides a useful framework for future research.

A Case of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Misdiagnosed with Keloid.

We report a case of a patient initially diagnosed with keloid and eventually diagnosed by skin histopathology and immunohistochemistry with primary cutaneous ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Sex differences in factors influencing hospital-acquired pneumonia in schizophrenia patients receiving modified electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: Sex differences may be presented in the clinical features or symptoms of schizophrenia patients but also affect the occurrence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Modified electroconvulsive therapy (mECT) is a common treatment method for schizophrenia, used in combination with antipsychotics. This retrospective research explores the sex difference in HAP affecting patients with schizophrenia who have received mECT treatment during hospitalization. Methods: We included schizophrenia inpatients treated with mECT and antipsychotics between January 2015 and April 2022. Blood-related and demographic data collected on admission were analyzed. Influencing factors of HAP in male and female groups were assessed separately. Results: A total of 951 schizophrenia patients treated with mECT were enrolled in the study, including 375 males and 576 females, of which 62 patients experienced HAP during hospitalization. The risk period of HAP in these patients was found to be the first day after each mECT treatment and the first three sessions of mECT treatment. Statistically significant differences in the incidence of HAP were identified in male vs. female groups, with an incidence in men about 2.3 times higher than that in women (P < 0.001). Lower total cholesterol (Z = -2.147, P = 0.032) and the use of anti-parkinsonian drugs (χ2 = 17.973, P < 0.001) were found to be independent risk factors of HAP in male patients, while lower lymphocyte count (Z = -2.408, P = 0.016), hypertension (χ2 = 9.096, P = 0.003), and use of sedative-hypnotic drugs (χ2 = 13.636, P < 0.001) were identified in female patients. Conclusion: Influencing factors of HAP in schizophrenia patients treated with mECT have gender differences. The first day after each mECT treatment and the first three sessions of mECT treatment were identified to have the greatest risk for HAP development. Therefore, it would be imperative to monitor clinical management and medications during this period according to these gender differences.

Impact of COVID-19 on health services utilization in mainland China and its different regions based on S-ARIMA predictions.

Global health services are disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated extent and duration of impacts of the pandemic on health services utilization in different economically developed regions of mainland China. Based on monthly health services utilization data in China, we used Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (S-ARIMA) models to predict outpatient and emergency department visits to hospitals (OEH visits) per capita without pandemic. The impacts were evaluated by three dimensions:1) absolute instant impacts were evaluated by difference between predicted and actual OEH visits per capita in February 2020 and relative instant impacts were the ratio of absolute impacts to baseline OEH visits per capita; 2) absolute and relative accumulative impacts from February 2020 to March 2021; 3) duration of impacts was estimated by time that actual OEH visits per capita returned to its predicted value. From February 2020 to March 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced OEH visits by 0.4676 per capita, equivalent to 659,453,647 visits, corresponding to a decrease of 15.52% relative to the pre-pandemic average annual level in mainland China. The instant impacts in central, northeast, east and west China were 0.1279, 0.1265, 0.1215, and 0.0986 visits per capita, respectively; and corresponding relative impacts were 77.63%, 66.16%, 44.39%, and 50.57%, respectively. The accumulative impacts in northeast, east, west and central China were up to 0.5898, 0.4459, 0.3523, and 0.3324 visits per capita, respectively; and corresponding relative impacts were 23.72%, 12.53%, 13.91%, and 16.48%, respectively. The OEH visits per capita has returned back to predicted values within the first 2, 6, 9, 9 months for east, central, west and northeast China, respectively. Less economically developed areas were affected for a longer time. Safe and equitable access to health services, needs paying great attention especially for undeveloped areas.

Comparative Analysis of the Pre- and Post-Medication Effects of Antipsychotic Agents on the Blood-Based Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown that oxidative stress (OS) is related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ), but whether antipsychotics can induce OS has not been investigated well. Moreover, antipsychotics have differential effects on the OS level modulation, i.e., different types of antipsychotics have different effects on the cellular antioxidants or pro-oxidants. METHODS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and investigated the OS indicators including both enzymatic and nonenzymatic markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, etc., of SCZ patients at baseline and follow-up of mono-medication. RESULTS: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1162 patients enrolled at baseline, and 1105 patients completed the follow-up. OS markers were changed after a period of antipsychotic treatment in SCZ patients. The GPx activity and MDA level decreased in the whole blood (P<0.05), also the serum MDA level decreased (P<0.05). For the first-episode SCZ patients, the activity of GPx and the level of MDA decreased, while the level of vitamin C increased (all P<0.05). The levels of MDA in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics decreased (P<0.05), while the level of GSH in patients with typical antipsychotics decreased (P=0.05). CONCLUSION: Antipsychotic medication may cause changes in the levels of OS markers in different blood samples of SCZ patients. However, the available studies might not be sufficient to reveal the underlying facts accurately due to the poor quality of experimental designs in the published literature.

Trends and Impact Factors of Mental Health Service Utilization among Resettled Humanitarian Migrants in Australia: Findings from the BNLA Cohort Study.

Resettled humanitarian migrants (HMs) have high levels of mental disorders, but factors associated with the utilization of mental health services (MHS) are poorly understood. We aimed to explore trends and impact factors of MHS utilization among HMs in the process of resettlement in Australia. A total of 2311 HMs from the 1st (2013), 3rd, and 5th (2018) waves of a national cohort study were included. MHS utilization in the past year was assessed by two indicators: having MHS contacts and the frequency of MHS contacts. Trends were identified by Cochran-Armitage tests, and generalized linear mixed models and ordered logistic models were fitted to explore impact factors of MHS utilization. The proportion of having MHS contacts significantly rose from 13.0% to 29.4% over the five years. MHS utilization was mainly driven by perceived needs, such as post-traumatic stress disorders and the degree of post-migration stress. Unemployment and strong belongingness to the local community were also associated with having MHS contacts. No significant gender difference was found in having MHS contacts but females tended to contact MHS more frequently. Resettled HMs have a persistent dilemma of high mental illness prevalence and MHS underutilization. Sustainable mental health education and long-term resettlement services targeted at social integration that consider gender difference are urgently needed in host countries.

Non-antipsychotic medicines and modified electroconvulsive therapy are risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia in schizophrenia patients.

Background: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) has a significant and detrimental impact on schizophrenia patients. Non-antipsychotic medicines and modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) are frequently used in conjunction with antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia. Whether non-antipsychotic medicines or MECT are risk factors for HAP in schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics is still unknown. Methods: Patients with schizophrenia who were admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Chengdu between January 2015 and April 2022 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Individuals with HAP were 1:1 matched to individuals without HAP (non-HAP) using propensity score matching (PSM). The risk factors for HAP were analyzed by comparing the two groups. Results: A total of 7,085 schizophrenia patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 39.77 ± 14.45 years. 193 patients developed HAP on an average of 22.26 ± 21.68 days after admission with an incidence of 2.73%. After 1:1 PSM, 192 patients from each group (HAP and non-HAP) were included. The HAP group had significantly more patients with MECT and taking benzodiazepines, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-parkinsonians both before and after PSM by Bonferroni correction (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, combined with antipsychotics, non-antipsychotic medicines including benzodiazepines (OR = 3.13, 95%CI = 1.95-5.03, P < 0.001), mood stabilizers (OR =3.33, 95%CI =1.79-6.20, P < 0.001) and MECT (OR =2.58, 95%CI =1.49-4.46, P = 0.001) were associated with a significantly increased incidence of HAP. Conclusion: The incidence of HAP in schizophrenia patients in our cohort was 2.73%. MECT and non-antipsychotic medicines, including benzodiazepines and mood stabilizers were risk factors for HAP in schizophrenia patients treated with antipsychotics.

Water-Dispersible Phytosterol Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and in vitro Digestion.

For improving solubility and bioaccessibility of phytosterols (PS), phytosterol nanoparticles (PNPs) were prepared by emulsification-evaporation combined high-pressure homogenization method. The organic phase was formed with the dissolved PS and soybean lecithin (SL) in anhydrous ethanol, then mixed with soy protein isolate (SPI) solution, and homogenized into nanoparticles, followed by the evaporation of ethanol. The optimum fabrication conditions were determined as PS (1%, w/v): SL of 1:4, SPI content of 0.75% (w/v), and ethanol volume of 16 ml. PNPs were characterized to have average particle size 93.35 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) 0.179, zeta potential -29.3 mV, and encapsulation efficiency (EE) 97.3%. The impact of temperature, pH, and ionic strength on the stability of fabricated PNPs was determined. After 3-h in vitro digestion, the bioaccessibility of PS in nanoparticles reached 70.8%, significantly higher than the 18.2% of raw PS. Upon freeze-drying, the particle size of PNPs increased to 199.1 nm, resulting in a bimodal distribution. The solubility of PS in water could reach up to 2.122 mg/ml, ~155 times higher than that of raw PS. Therefore, this study contributes to the development of functional PS-food ingredients.

Association of malnutrition with all-cause mortality in the elderly population: A 6-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Few studies have explored the association between malnutrition, defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and all-cause mortality, particularly in the Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the association between the GNRI and all-cause mortality in the elderly population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants aged ≥60 years were eligible for this study and were divided into three groups by the GNRI: An adequate nutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥98; mild malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥82 but <98; and a severe malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI <82. The results implied that there was a positive association between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality in the total population (hazard ratio (HR): 2.591 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.729-3.884), male subjects (HR: 2.903 and 95% CI: 1.718-4.906), and female subjects (HR: 2.081 and 95% CI: 1.071-4.046). Similar associations between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality were observed in both the 60-69 and 70-79 years age groups (HR: 2.863 and 2.600, 95% CI: 1.444-5.678 and 1.394-4.849, respectively). However, no significant association was observed between mild malnutrition and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Severe malnutrition could increase all-cause mortality in the 60- to 79-year-old population. However, there was no association of mild malnutrition with all-cause mortality.

Distinct grey matter volume alterations in adult patients with panic disorder and social anxiety disorder: A systematic review and voxel-based morphometry meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The paradox of similar diagnostic criteria but potentially different neuropathologies in panic disorder (PD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) needs to be clarified. METHODS: We performed a qualitative systematic review and a quantitative whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) meta-analysis with an anisotropic effect-size version of seed-based D mapping (AES-SDM) to explore whether the alterations of grey matter volume (GMV) in PD are similar to or different from those in SAD, together with potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of thirty-one studies were eligible for inclusion, eighteen of which were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to the respective healthy controls (HC), qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed smaller cortical-subcortical GMVs in PD patients in brain areas including the prefrontal and temporal-parietal cortices, striatum, thalamus and brainstem, predominantly right-lateralized regions, and larger GMVs in the prefrontal and temporal-parietal-occipital cortices, and smaller striatum and thalamus in SAD patients. Quantitatively, the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) deficit was specifically implicated in PD patients, whereas left striatum-thalamus deficits were specific to SAD patients, without shared GMV alterations in both disorders. Sex, the severity of clinical symptoms, psychiatric comorbidity, and concomitant medication use were negatively correlated with smaller regional GMV alterations in PD patients. CONCLUSION: PD and SAD may represent different anxiety sub-entities at the neuroanatomical phenotypes level, with different specific neurostructural deficits in the right IFG of PD patients, and the left striatum and thalamus of SAD patients. This combination of differences and specificities can potentially be used to guide the development of diagnostic biomarkers for these disorders.

Biological Potential and Mechanism of Prodigiosin from Serratia marcescens Subsp. lawsoniana in Human Choriocarcinoma and Prostate Cancer Cell Lines.

Tripyrrole molecules have received renewed attention due to reports of numerous biological activities, including antifungal, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, immunosuppressive, and anticancer activities. In a screen of bacterial strains with known toxicities to termites, a red pigment-producing strain, HDZK-BYSB107, was isolated from Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, which grows in Oregon, USA. Strain HDZK-BYSB107 was identified as Serratia marcescens subsp. lawsoniana. The red pigment was identified as prodigiosin using ultraviolet absorption, LC-MS, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The bacterial prodigiosin had an inhibitory effect on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The main objective of this study was to explore the anticancer activities and mechanism of strain HDZK-BYSB107 prodigiosin by using human choriocarcinoma (JEG3) and prostate cancer cell lines (PC3) in vitro and JEG3 and PC3 tumor-bearing nude mice in vivo. In vitro anticancer activities showed that the bacterial prodigiosin induced apoptosis in JEG3 cells. In vivo anticancer activities indicated that the prodigiosin significantly inhibited the growth of JEG3 and PC3 cells, and the inhibitory activity was dose and time dependent. The anticancer efficacy of the bacterial prodigiosin on JEG3 and PC3 cells, JEG3 and PC3 tumor exhibited a correlation with the down regulation of the inhibitor of IAP family, including XIAP, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2, and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. The expressions of P53 and Bax/Bcl-2 in JEG3 and PC3 cells were significantly higher than in untreated groups. Our results indicated that the bacterial prodigiosin extracted from C. lawsoniana is a promising molecule due to its potential for therapeutic applications.

Clinicopathologic profile of extranodal follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in the mesentery of small intestine: a study of two cases with literature review.

AIM: To analyze the clinicopathologic profile of the extranodal follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) in the mesentery of small intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical observations and histopathologic andimmunohistochemical features of FDCS were analyzed in the mesentery of small intestine. RESULTS: FDCS had no characteristic clinical manifestations. Histology showed oval sarcoma cells forming fascicles of spindle cells and whorls. Sarcoma tissue was distributed pervasively and often mixed with some T lymphoid cells. Immunohistochemical markers showed the follicular dendritic sarcoma cells were positive for CD21, CD23, CD35, D2-40 and vimentin, and weakly positive for CD68, and S-100, while EMA, CD1a, desmin, AE1/AE3, CD45RO, CD3, LCA and MPO were negative. CONCLUSION: FDCS is a rare malignant tumor in the mesentery of small intestine.I Its diagnosis depends on the histopathology and immunohistochemical staining, and its prognosis is uncertain. Surgical operation is the first choice of treatment.

AFP-negative mixed hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the colon: a case report with review of literature.

AIM: To investigate the clinicopathologic profile of hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) of the colon and to improve the diagnostic and treatment level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical observations and histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of HAC were analyzed. RESULTS: HAC is usually composed of well-differentiated common adenocarcinoma and hepatoid differentiation. The tumor cells in hepatoid differentiation area are arranged in trabecular or solid shape, with large polygonal tumor cells, and abundant cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical markers showed the HAC cells were positive for Glypican-3, HepPar1, CK19, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), while alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was negative. CONCLUSION: HAC is a rare malignant tumor of the colon. Its diagnosis depends on histopathology and immunohistochemical staining. Surgical resection should be the treatment of choice if possible.

Characteristics of alleged homicide offenders with and without schizophrenia in Sichuan, China.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the characteristics of people with and without schizophrenia who have been charged with homicide in China. AIMS AND RESEARCH QUESTION: Our research question was what differences are there between alleged homicide offenders with and without psychosis? METHOD: All archival records of alleged homicide cases referred for assessment to the West China Forensic Central Medical Service during 1998-2006 were retrieved. The centre serves a large catchment area in the mainly rural province of Sichuan. A random 20% of cases with schizophrenia and all cases without psychosis were selected for comparison. Demographic, criminological and mental health data were extracted from the records, and violence was rated by using the Violence Risk Scale (Chinese version). RESULTS: The two groups differed significantly in age, education, occupation, marital status and relationships to victim. The estimated risk of reoffending was higher in the schizophrenia group than the non-psychotic group, even after controlling for demographic differences. Despite many individuals reporting long histories of mental illness, about 40% of those with schizophrenia had never had any psychiatric treatment and less than 4% were in treatment at the time of the alleged homicide. CONCLUSIONS: The tendency for homicidal people with schizophrenia to be older, less educated and more socially isolated than their non-psychotic peers is similar to experience in Western countries, but the apparently higher risk scale scores of the Chinese schizophrenia group and their greater tendency to attack strangers are different. The lack of reported previous engagement with mental health services by a clearly ill and risky group of people is a likely explanation. Similar rural problems compared with better served urban areas have been reported in the Chuvash Republic. The case for better rural mental health services seems strong. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

miRNA­27a promotes the proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells by Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

A specific expression of miRNA in pancreatic cancer renders it the novel diagnostic marker of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, we investigated how the anticancer effect of miRNA­27a suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells. We upregulated miRNA­27a expression in PANC-1 cells using miRNA­27a mimic, which demonstrated that induction of cell growth and suppression of apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells were observed. However, anti­miRNA­27a inhibited cell growth and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. The downregulation of miRNA­27a suppressed Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. The inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway increased the anticancer effects of anti­miRNA­27a on human pancreatic cancer cells. Taken together, miRNA­27a promotes the proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells via Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

A novel method to limit breast cancer stem cells in states of quiescence, proliferation or differentiation: Use of gel stress in combination with stem cell growth factors.

The majority of cancer stem cells exist in the G0, or quiescent phase of the cell cycle. However, the cells can escape quiescence following routine radiotherapy and chemotherapy, resulting in tumor recurrence. Presently, achieving the accurate regulation of cancer stem cell growth in order to study a specific state, including the quiescent (mostly G0 or G1 phase), proliferative (mostly S phase) or differential (mostly G2/M phase) states, can be challenging. This makes the determination of cell cycle state-specific characteristics and analysis of potential intervention treatments difficult, particularly for quiescent cells. Breast cancer stem cells were cultured on a soft or hard agar matrix surface in the presence or absence of stem cell growth factors. Cells could be successfully limited in either the quiescent, proliferative or differentiated states. These findings provide a foundation for further study of the cell cycle in breast cancer stem cells.

Decreased miR-198 expression and its prognostic significance in human gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved to play important roles in the tumorigenesis and development of human gastric cancer (GC). Our study aims to investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-198 in GC patients. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate miR-198 levels in 106 pairs of GC specimens and adjacent noncancerous tissues. Then, the associations of miR-198 expression with clinicopathological factors and patient's survival were determined. RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-198 in GC tissues were significantly lower than those in corresponding noncancerous tissues (p<0.01). Decreased miR-198 expression was significantly associated with larger tumor size, deeper invasion depth, positive lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and shorter overall survival. Moreover, multivariate regression analysis identified low miR-198 expression as an independent predictor of poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that miR-198 downregulation may be associated with progression of GC and that this miR may be an independent prognostic marker for GC patients.

Induction of apoptosis and reversal of permeability glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance of MCF-7/ADM by ginsenoside Rh2.

Multidrug resistance is a phenomenon that cancer cells develop a cross-resistant phenotype against several unrelated drugs, and permeability glycoprotein derived from the overexpression of multidrug resistance gene 1 has been taken as the most significant cause of multidrug resistance. In the present study, ginsenoside Rh2 was used to reverse permeability glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance of MCF-7/ADM cell line. Effects of ginsenoside Rh2 on the apoptotic process and caspase-3 activity of MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADM cell lines were determined using flow cytometry and microplate reader. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium test was conducted to assess the IC50 values of ginsenoside Rh2 and adriamycin on MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADM cultures; Rhodamin 123 assay was used to assess the retention of permeability glycoprotein after ginsenoside Rh2 treatment; flow cytometry and real time polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the expression levels of permeability glycoprotein and multidrug resistance gene 1 in drug-resistant cells and their parental cells after exposure to ginsenoside Rh2. The results showed that ginsenoside Rh2, except for inducing apoptosis, had the ability to reverse multidrug resistance in MCF-7/ADM cell line without changing the expression levels of permeability glycoprotein and multidrug resistance gene 1. Our findings provided some valuable information for the application of ginsenoside Rh2 in cancer therapy, especially for multidrug resistance reversal in clinic.