Effect of triptolide combined with cisplatin on immune function and angiogenesis of bladder cancer (T24) cells-bearing nude mice

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of triptolide combined with cisplatin on immune function and angiogenesis of bladder cancer (T24) cells-bearing nude mice. Methods Eighteen bladder cancer (T24) cells-bearing nude mice were divided into control group, cisplatin group, and combination group, respectively given intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, cisplatin, and triptolide+ cisplatin. Flow cytometry was used to detect fluoresceine isothiocyanate (FITC)-dexran positive rate of abdominal macrophages, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression levels in the abdominal macrophages, and immunohistochemical staining to examine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and microvessel density (MVD) expression levels. Results The positive rate of FITC-dexran, CD11b-FITC, and CD68-FITC in abdominal macrophages of combination group was significantly higher than that in cisplatin group [(11.74±1.25)% vs. (7.24±0.84)%, (33.33±3.46)% vs. (21.84±2.45)%, and (33.89±4.12)% vs. (20.52±2.32)%] (t=9.639-7.319, P<0.05). The IL-1 and TNF-α expression levels in combination group were significantly higher than those in cisplatin group [(40.92±3.86) vs. (26.05±3.01) pg/ml, and (55.78±6.25) vs. (38.42±5.26) pg/ml] (t=5.201-7.441, P<0.05). The VEGF, bFGF, and MVD expression levels in combination group were significantly lower than those in cisplatin group (1.24±0.48 vs. 1.88±0.52, 0.88±0.43 vs. 1.51±0.56, and 3.11±1.49 vs. 8.15±3.00) (t=2.186-3.686, P<0.05). Conclusion Triptolide combined with cisplatin can improve phagocytosis function and immune function of abdominal macrophages in bladder cancer (T24) cells-bearing nude mice, and reduce VEGF and bFGF expression levels, and then inhibit growth and proliferation of tumor cells. Key words: Urinary bladder neoplasms; Triptolide; Cisplatin; Immune function; Vascular growth factors