Inhibition Of Carcinoma Growth Research Articles

Colorectal Carcinoma Growth Inhibition by Dietary Care Combined with Probiotic Intervention through Targeting NRP2 Expression.

The present study investigated the effect of probiotics on inhibition of colorectal tumor growth invivo and as anti-proliferative agent in vitro. Viability changes were measured by MTT assay whereas protein expression was assessed using western blotting. The study demonstrated that tumor growth was delayed significantly (P < 0.05) in probiotic administered mice from 2nd week compared to the control group. The difference in body weight of the mice in probiotic administered, 5-fluorouracil treated and untreated groups of the mice showed no significant differences during 5-weeks of the study. In probiotic administered mice the expression of miR-331-3p was significantly promoted and that of NRP2 effectively alleviated. Probiotic administration of the mice led to a significant (P < 0.05) increase in p53 and p-c-Jun expression and reduction in Bcl-2 level. Probiotic treatment of SW480 and HCT116 cells led to a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in viability after 48 h compared to the control cells. However, no changes were observed in FHC cell viability after 48 h of treatment with probiotics. The expression of miR-331-3p in SW480 and HCT116 cells was significantly promoted on treatment with probiotics after 48 h. Additionally, probiotic treatment for 48 h led to a remarkable reduction in NRP2 expression in SW480 and HCT116 cells. Thus, probiotic administration inhibited colorectal tumor growth in vivo in mice possibly by upregulation of miR-331-3p expression and down-regulation of NRP2 level. Therefore, probiotics may be used for the treatment of colorectal cancer growth.

Hakin-1, a New Specific Small-Molecule Inhibitor for the E3 Ubiquitin-Ligase Hakai, Inhibits Carcinoma Growth and Progression.

The requirement of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase Hakai for the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of E-cadherin has been associated with enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumour progression and carcinoma metastasis. To date, most of the reported EMT-related inhibitors were not developed for anti-EMT purposes, but indirectly affect EMT. On the other hand, E3 ubiquitin-ligase enzymes have recently emerged as promising therapeutic targets, as their specific inhibition would prevent wider side effects. Given this background, a virtual screening was performed to identify novel specific inhibitors of Hakai, targeted against its phosphotyrosine-binding pocket, where phosphorylated-E-cadherin specifically binds. We selected a candidate inhibitor, Hakin-1, which showed an important effect on Hakai-induced ubiquitination. Hakin-1 also inhibited carcinoma growth and tumour progression both in vitro, in colorectal cancer cell lines, and in vivo, in a tumour xenograft mouse model, without apparent systemic toxicity in mice. Our results show for the first time that a small molecule putatively targeting the E3 ubiquitin-ligase Hakai inhibits Hakai-dependent ubiquitination of E-cadherin, having an impact on the EMT process. This represents an important step forward in a future development of an effective therapeutic drug to prevent or inhibit carcinoma tumour progression.

Antitumor activity of spherical nanoparticles GdYVO4:Eu3+ depends on pre-incubation time

The significance of tumor cells incubation with spherical nanoparticles based on orthovanadates of rare-earth elements activated by europium GdYVO4:Eu3+ in the effectiveness of Ehrlich carcinoma growth inhibition was shown. Ehrlich carcinoma cells were incubated with nanoparticles for 1, 2, 3, and 4 h; afterwards, their accumulation in cells using a LSM 510 META confocal laser microscope (Carl Zeiss, Germany), changes in mitochondrial function and apoptotic/necrotic cells were assessed. Even from the 1st hour of incubation, there was observed an increase in mean fluorescence intensity, indicating the beginning of nanoparticles accumulation inside the cells. By the third hour of incubation, the fluorescence values of total Ehrlich carcinoma population reached the maximum values. At the same time, the appearance of single cells with ultra-high level of fluorescence was established; the number of those did not exceed 5%. By the third hour of incubation with nanoparticles, there was a significant mitochondrial dysfunction of Ehrlich carcinoma cells and a convincing increase in the proportion of cells in the late apoptosis (An+/PI+) and necrosis (An−/PI+) compared to the control. The aforesaid changes in the Ehrlich carcinoma cells after 3-h pretreatment with nanoparticles contributed to the highest decrease in intensity of tumor growth in vivo down to 41.80%. Thus, the successful implementation of an antitumor effect of nanoparticles based on orthovanadates of rare earth elements activated by europium GdYVO4:Eu3+ implies their penetration and accumulation inside the cells as well as associated with impaired mitochondrial function and induction of apoptotic and necrotic changes in tumor cells.

Study on the mechanism of miR-497-induced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma growth inhibition by targeting CDK6

Objective: To study the effects of miR-497 and CDK6 on the growth of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods: The expressions of CDK6 mRNA in fresh LSCC specimens, the adjacent normal mucosa of LSCC, and cell lines of LSCC were detected with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, pcDNA3.1(+) CDK6 plasmids were respectively transfected into the LSCC cells, and MTT assay and clone formation assay were performed to evaluate the growth of LSCC cells. Flow cytometry was employed for cell cycle analysis. SPSS17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: CDK6 was highly expressed in LSCC(t=14.01, P=0.009) and the overall survival rate of the patients with high CDK6 expression was less than that with low CDK6 expression, with a significant difference (HR=3.236, P<0.001). Double luciferase reporter gene analysis showed that fluorescence activity in wild type CDK6 group was significantly different from that in control group (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in the fluorescence activity between mutant CDK6 group and control group (P>0.05). A(490) values were respectively 0.42±0.14 (Mean±SD) in siRNA Hep-2 group, 0.51±0.13 in siRNA TU-212 group; 0.98±0.16 in control Hep-2 group and 1.17±0.20 in control TU-212 group. Colonies were 55±4 in siRNA Hep-2 group, 51±3 in siRNA TU-212 group, 108±6 in control Hep-2 group and 105±7 in control TU-212 group, namely, cell growth and clone formation ability in CDK6 siRNA group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Cells cycle was blocked in G0/G1 phase (G0/G1: 65.20%±10.12% in siRNA Hep-2 group; 63.42%±8.97% in siRNA TU-212 group; 45.31%±7.55% in control Hep-2 group; and 42.37%±7.28% in control TU-212 group), and cells decreased obviously in S phase (S: 25.39%±5.51% in siRNA Hep-2 group; 27.21%±5.43% in siRNA TU-212 group; 42.87%±6.85% in control Hep-2 group; and 44.76%±7.02% in control TU-212 group). Compared with miR-497 group, cell growth and clone formation ability in miR-497/CDK6 group were partly restored (all P<0.05). Conclusions: CDK6 expression in LSCC is upregulated, functioning as an oncogene. High expression of CDK6 is a predictor for poor prognosis. miR-497, functioning as a tumor suppressor gene, inhibits the growth of LSCC by targeting CDK6.

MiR-371-5p suppresses the proliferative and migratory capacity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma by targeting BCL2.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and function of microRNA (miR)-371-5p in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The levels of miR-371-5p were analyzed in nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues, NPC tissues, human NPC cell lines and NP69 cells using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The association between the level of miR-371-5p and clinicopathological variables was also investigated. Cell proliferation was determined using an MTT assay, and the activities of cell metastasis were determined using wound healing and Transwell migration assays. To assess whether miR-371-5p can combine with the targeting sequence of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) mRNA or not, a luciferase activity assay was performed. An animal experiment was used to examine the effect of miR-371-5p on the development of NPC. The results revealed that the expression of miR-371-5p was reduced in NPC samples and NPC cells. The level of miR-371-5p was associated with clinical stage and distant metastasis in patients with NPC, and was inversely associated with the protein level of BCL-2 in NPC tissues. The upregulation of miR-371-5p reduced cell growth, migration and invasion, and inhibited carcinoma growth through targeting BCL2 mRNA. Taken together, the regulation of miR-371-5p was shown to offer potential as a novel treatment approach for NPC.

Systemic effects of cAMP in chemotherapy for Heren’s carcinoma.

e14052 Background: Along with tumor itself, mechanisms of regulation of homeostasis are the target for tumor progression inhibition. The brain, various organs and tumor have different resources of energetic and metabolic substrates. Involvement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) into intimate mechanisms of proliferation, hormonal and energetic homeostasis indicates the possibility to use this factor in chemotherapy of tumors to improve the resistance of the organism. The purpose of the study was to analyze levels of endogenous cAMP in tumor and in organs as a criterium of systemic body response to chemotherapy with cAMP application. Methods: The study included 56 male Wistar rats with Heren’s carcinoma receiving peritumoral injections of cyclophosphan (CP) 50 mcg/kg (Baxter Oncology GmbH, Germany) alone and in combination with cAMP (Sigma-Aldrich, USA), P.O. at a concentration of 0.01%. cAMP levels in homogenates of organs and tumors were measured by immunoradiometric assay (Immunotech, Czech Republic) using Arian radiometer (Vitaco, Russia). Data were processed using Statistica 6. Results: cAMP levels in growing tumors in rats without treatment (the control) were maximal (7.03±1.5 nmol/L). CP injections alone during inhibition of carcinoma growth allowed the reduction of tumor cAMP level by 3.3 times. Combination of CP and cAMP resulted in tumor regression, and endogenous cAMP levels in tumor decreased by 10 times compared with the control. Similar dynamics of cAMP reductions was noted in the adrenal glands. The lungs, thymus, lymph nodes and especially the testes and the brain, on the contrary, showed accumulation of cAMP to the normal levels and higher. Conclusions: The range of cAMP levels in organs and tumors of rats receiving combination of CP and cAMP demonstrated the development of adaptive and regenerative processes in organs responsible for the neuroendocrine regulation, suppression of stimulation of stress-realizing systems and metabolic support of the processes of increasing non-specific antitumor resistance along with inhibited proliferative activity of tumors.

The antitumor effect of dinitrosyl iron complexes with glutathione in a murine solid-tumor model

A significant antitumor activity of aqueous solutions of binuclear dinitrosyl iron complexes with glutathione was found when they were injected intravenously in a model of a solid malignant tumor, that is, Lewis carcinoma, in mice. Dinitrosyl iron complexes completely inhibited the tumor growth (by 100%) at doses of 20, 10, and 2 μmol/kg in the first 11 days after the beginning of experiment followed by tumor proliferation at a rate that was lowest for the lowest of the used doses. At day 16, the inhibition of tumor growth was 90% when a solution of dinitrosyl iron complexes was injected at a dose of 2 μmol/kg five times with an interval of 2 to 3 days between injections; whereas the inhibition of tumor growth did not exceed 70 and 30% at doses of 10 and 20 μmol/kg, respectively. Acceleration, rather than inhibition of carcinoma growth was observed at a dose of 100 μmol/kg. The tumor weight increased 1.5–2.0 times compared to the control values, depending on the time.

Combined treatment, based on lysomustine administration with mesenchymal stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase therapy, leads to pronounced murine Lewis lung carcinoma growth inhibition.

The combination of stem cell-based gene therapy with chemotherapy comprises an advantageous strategy that results in a reduction of system toxicity effects and an improvement in the general efficacy of treatment. In the present study, we estimated the efficacy of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) expressing cytosine deaminase (CDA) combined with lysomustine chemotherapy in mice bearing late stage Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were transfected with non-insert plasmid construct transiently expressing fused cytosine deaminase-uracil phosphoribosyltransferase protein (CDA/UPRT) or the same construct fused with Herpes Simplex Virus Type1 tegument protein VP22 (CDA/UPRT/VP22). Systemic administration of 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) and lysomustine was implemented after a single intratumoral injection of transfected AT-MSCs. We demonstrated that direct intratumoral transplantation of AT-MSCs expressing CDA/UPRT or CDA/UPRT/VP22 followed by systemic administration of 5FC resulted in a significant tumor growth inhibition. There was a 56% reduction in tumor volume in mice treated by AT-MSCs-CDA/UPRT + 5FC or with AT-MSCs-CDA/UPRT/VP22 + 5FC compared to control animals grafted with lung carcinoma alone. Transplantation of AT-MSCs-CDA/UPRT + 5FC and AT-MSCs-CDA/UPRT/VP22 + 5FC prolonged the life span of mice bearing LLC by 27% and 31%, respectively. Co-administration of lysomustine and AT-MSCs-CDA/UPRT + 5FC led to tumor growth inhibition (by 86%) and life span extension (by 60%) compared to the control group. Our data indicate that a combination CDA/UPRT-expressing AT-MSCs with lysomustine has a superior antitumor effect in the murine lung carcinoma model compared to monotherapies with transfected AT-MSCs or lysomustine alone, possibly because of a synergistic effect of the combination therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Floroquinone induces apoptosis and inhibits carcinoma growth in mouse tumor xenograft model of anaplastic thyroid cancer

&lt;p class="Abstract"&gt;In the present study, effects of floroquinone on anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines and mouse tumor xenografts were investigated. Increase in the concentration of floroquinone from 10 to 100 µM reduced the cell growth from 98 to 17% after 48 hours in HOTHC cells. Similarly, in FRO cells growth rate was found to be 96 and 21%, respectively at 10 and 100 µM concentra-tions of floroquinone. Western blot analysis showed a marked reduction in Bcl-2 expression and increased in Bax, caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expre-ssion in HOTHC cell lines on treatment with floroquinone. Floroquinone treatment of the HOTHC cells led to inhibition of the cobalt chloride-induced increase in the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. In HOTHC cells, floroquinone treatment inhibited the tube formation and migration potential significantly compared to control cells. Treatment of the mouse bearing HOTHC tumor xenograft with 50 and 100 mg/kg doses of floroquinone alternatively for one month reduced the tumor volume to 48 and 17%, respectively compared to the control. Thus, floroquinone effectively inhibits growth of thyroid cancer and can be used for its treatment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Video Clip&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/sub0JQlrffc"&gt;Migration assay&lt;/a&gt;: 1 min 09 sec&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

Parathyroid-hormone-related protein signaling mechanisms in lung carcinoma growth inhibition.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) inhibits proliferation of several lung cancer cell lines, but the signaling mechanism has not been established. This study tested the hypotheses that growth inhibition is mediated through the PTHrP receptor, PTH1R, and that the process is modified by ERK activation. PTHrP-positive and negative clones of H1944 lung adenocarcinoma cells underwent stable PTH1R knockdown with lentiviral shRNA or transient transfection with ERK1 and ERK2 siRNA. Alternatively, cells were treated with 8-CPT cAMP, 8-CPT 2′-O-methyl cAMP, and N-6-phenyl cAMP analogs. H1944 cells expressing ectopic PTHrP showed 20–40% decrease in proliferation compared to the PTHrP-negative cells in the presence of normal levels of PTH1R (P < 0.01). PTH1R knockdown eliminated this difference and increased cell proliferation regardless of PTHrP status. The three cAMP analogs each inhibited proliferation over 5 days by 30–40%. ERK2 knockdown inhibited proliferation of PTHrP-positive cells alone and in combination with ERK1 knockdown. The growth inhibition mediated by cAMP analogs was unaffected by ERK1 knockdown. In conclusion, ectopic expression of PTHrP 1–87 inhibits H1944 cell proliferation. PTH1R knockdown blocks this effect and stimulates proliferation, indicating that the ligand exerts anti-mitogenic effects. cAMP, the second messenger for PTH1R also inhibits proliferation and activates ERK. PTHrP growth inhibition may be opposed by concomitant ERK activation.

Synthesis and Characterization of Some Substituted 3, 4-dihydronaphthalene Derivatives through Different Enaminones as Potent Cytotoxic Agents

A new series of novel substituted 3,4-dihydronaphthalene incorporated to benzo[h]quinoline, benzo[g]indazole, thiazolidin-4-one, pyrazolo[3,4-d]thiazol and thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridine ring systems were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cell lines. Some of the tested compounds exhibited promising carcinoma growth inhibition. The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic data and biological activities of the tested compounds were reported.

Blockade of NF-κB nuclear translocation results in the inhibition of the invasiveness of human gastric cancer cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 inhibitor, SN50, on the invasiveness and mechanisms of SGC7901 human gastric carcinoma cell xenografts in nude mice. Nude mice were randomly divided into model control and SN50 treatment groups. On days 5, 10 and 15 following treatment, the tumor samples were observed and a selection of parameters were recorded, including the level of tumor growth inhibition, the pathological changes in the tumor specimens, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases type-1 (TIMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the apoptosis indices in the tumor samples. The results demonstrated that treating the tumor with SN50 for 5, 10 and 15 days inhibited carcinoma growth in comparison with the control group. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining indicated that the level of inhibition increased progressively, in correlation with apoptosis. The expression of the MMP-9, PCNA and VEGF proteins was observed to be downregulated, while that of the TIMP-1 protein was shown to be upregulated, using immunohistochemical staining. In conclusion, the NF-κB p65 inhibitor, SN50, inhibited the invasiveness of the gastric cancer cells by downregulating the protein expression of MMP-9, PCNA and VEGF and upregulating the protein expression of TIMP-1. It was further suggested that SN50 may be a molecular target of anti-invasion therapy for gastric cancer, and that the inhibition of the NF-κB p65 signaling pathway may be considered as a potential strategy for treating gastric cancer.

Cis-Hydroxyproline-mediated pancreatic carcinoma growth inhibition in mice

This study addressed the question of whether the collagen metabolism modulator cis-4-Hydroxy-L-proline (CHP) is applicable for potential use as a therapeutic inhibitor of pancreatic carcinoma cell growth. Cell proliferation, as well as quantification of apoptosis of murine Panc02 cells, was assessed after CHP treatment. Supplementary, the effect of CHP on tumor growth was examined in the subcutaneous Panc02 model in vivo. Mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of CHP (300, 400, and 500 mg/kg bw). In addition to the assessment of systemic parameters (blood count, enzyme activities), histology (HE) and immunohistochemistry (Ki-67) were performed from resected tumor specimens. Like reduction of metabolic activity, CHP also induced inhibition of cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, with however only slight increases in apoptosis. In vivo treatment of Panc02 tumors with CHP resulted in pronounced delay of tumor growth and decreases in tumor cell proliferation. Moreover, these effects were accompanied by a massive systemic leukocytosis as well increased leukocyte infiltration into the tumors subsequent to CHP therapy. CHP inhibits the proliferation of Panc02 tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo. Our presented data show that modulation of the collagen metabolism is an interesting strategy for treatment of pancreatic carcinoma.

Effects of LY294002 on the invasiveness of human gastric cancer in vivo in nude mice

To investigate the effects of class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 on the invasiveness and related mechanisms of implanted tumors of SGC7901 human gastric carcinoma cells in nude mice. Nude mice were randomly divided into model control groups and LY294002 treatment groups. On days 5, 10 and 15 after treatment, the inhibitory rate of tumor growth, pathological changes in tumor specimens, expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, CD34 [representing microvessel density (MVD)] and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as apoptosis indexes in tumor samples were observed. In this study, we showed that treating the tumors with LY294002 could significantly inhibit carcinoma growth by 11.3%, 29.4% and 36.7%, after 5, 10 and 15 d, respectively, compared to the control group. Hematoxylin & eosin staining indicated that the rate of inhibition increased progressively (23.51% +/- 3.11%, 43.20% +/- 3.27% and 63.28% +/- 2.10% at 5, 10 and 15 d, respectively) along with apoptosis. The expression of MMP-2 was also downregulated (from 71.4% +/- 1.6% to 47.9% +/- 0.7%, 31.9% +/- 0.9% and 7.9% +/- 0.7%). The same effects were observed in MMP-9 protein expression (from 49.4% +/- 1.5% to 36.9% +/- 0.4%, 23.5% +/- 0.9% and 7.7% +/- 0.6%), the mean MVD (from 51.2% +/- 3.1% to 41.9% +/- 1.5%, 30.9% +/- 1.7% and 14.9% +/- 0.8%), and the expression of VEGF (from 47.2% +/- 3.1% to 25.9% +/- 0.5%, 18.6% +/- 1.2% and 5.1% +/- 0.9%) by immunohistochemical staining. The class I PI3K inhibitor LY294002 could inhibit the invasiveness of gastric cancer cells by downregulating the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF, and reducing MVD.

Magnetic resonance imaging of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma growth inhibition by thiacarpine, an analogue of cytotoxic marine alkaloid polycarpine

The anticancer effect of thiacarpine, a synthetic analogue of the known cytotoxic alkaloid polycarpine isolated from the Pacific ascidian Polycarpa aurata, was investigated in vivo in experiments using mouse solid Ehrlich carcinoma tumor as the target. A high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique using a MR tomograph "PharmaScan" US70/16 (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany) was used for visualization and quantification of tumor size. Fluorescence microscopy and image analysis were applied to determine Ehrlich carcinoma cell chromatin condensing (apoptosis) and necrosis in Ehrlich carcinoma cells at the action of thiacarpine in in vitro experiments. The scan and size calculations of the tumor and some mouse organs were carried out during the experiments. Thiacarpine in a total dose of 100 mg/kg was found to exhibit the delay in growth of the mouse tumor. The antineoplastic effect of this compound was accompanied by an increase in the lifetime of experimental mice in comparison with the control group of animals. Our data show that the ability of thiacarpine to induce apoptosis in carcinoma cells may contribute to thiacarpine anticancer effects against mice solid Ehrlich carcinoma in vivo detected by MRI.

Anticancer activity of genistein on implanted tumor of human SG7901 cells in nude mice

To investigate genistein-induced apoptosis of implanted tumors of SG7901 cells in nude mice, and the relationship between this apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Establishing a transplanted tumor model by injecting human SG7901 cells into subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. Genistein (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg) was directly injected adjacent to the tumor, six times at 2-d intervals. Then, changes in tumor volume were measured continuously and tumor inhibition rate of each group was calculated. We observed the morphological alterations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), measured the apoptotic rate by the TUNEL staining method, and detected the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene Bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR. Genistein 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg significantly inhibited carcinoma growth when it was injected near the tumor by 10.8%, 29.9% and 39.6%, respectively. Genistein induced implanted tumor cells to undergo apoptosis, with apoptotic characteristics seen by TEM. The apoptosis index was increased progressively with increasing genistein dose (28.9%+/-1.2%, 33.8%+/-1.6% and 37.7%+/-1.2%). The positive rate of Bcl-2 protein was decreased progressively (11.9%+/-0.9%, 5.9%+/-0.7% and 4.2%+/-0.6%), and the positive rate of bax protein was increased progressively (0.9%+/-1.7%, 24.9%+/-0.8% and 29.6%+/-1.7%) by immunohistochemical staining, with increasing dose of genistein. The density of Bcl-2 mRNA decreased progressively and the density of bax mRNA increased progressively with elongation of time by RT-PCR. Genistein was able to induce apoptosis of transplanted tumor cells. This apoptosis may be mediated by down-regulation of the apoptosis-regulated gene Bcl-2 and up-regulation of apoptosis-regulated gene bax.

Anticancer activity of resveratrol on implanted human primary gastric carcinoma cells in nude mice

To investigate the apoptosis of implanted primary gastric cancer cells in nude mice induced by resveratrol and the relation between this apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 and bax. A transplanted tumor model was established by injecting human primary gastric cancer cells into subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. Resveratrol (500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg and 1,500 mg/kg) was directly injected beside tumor body 6 times at an interval of 2 d. Then changes of tumor volume were measured continuously and tumor inhibition rate of each group was calculated. We observed the morphologic alterations by electron microscope, measured the apoptotic rate by TUNEL staining method, detected the expression of apoptosis-regulated genes bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and PT-PCR. Resveratrol could significantly inhibit carcinoma growth when it was injected near the carcinoma. An inhibitory effect was observed in all therapeutic groups and the inhibition rate of resveratrol at the dose of 500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg and 1,500 mg/kg was 10.58%, 29.68% and 39.14%, respectively. Resveratrol induced implanted tumor cells to undergo apoptosis with apoptotic characteristics, including morphological changes of chromatin condensation, chromatin crescent formation, nucleus fragmentation. The inhibition rate of 0.2 mL of normal saline solution, 1,500 mg/kg DMSO, 500 mg/kg resveratrol, 1 000 mg/kg resveratrol, and 1 500 mg/kg resveratrol was 13.68+/-0.37%, 13.8+/-0.43%, 48.7+/-1.07%, 56.44+/-1.39% and 67+/-0.96%, respectively. The positive rate of bcl-2 protein of each group was 29.48+/-0.51%, 27.56+/-1.40%, 11.86+/-0.97%, 5.7+/-0.84% and 3.92+/-0.85%, respectively by immunohistochemical staining. The positive rate of bax protein of each group was 19.34+/-0.35%, 20.88+/-0.91%, 40.02+/-1.20%, 45.72+/-0.88% and 52.3+/-1.54%, respectively by immunohistochemical staining. The density of bcl-2 mRNA in 0.2 mL normal saline solution, 1,500 mg/kg DMSO, 500 mg/kg resveratrol, 1,000 mg/kg resveratrol, and 1,500 mg/kg resveratrol decreased progressively and the density of bax mRNA in 0.2 mL normal saline solution, 1,500 mg/kg DMSO, 500 mg/kg resveratrol, 1,000 mg/kg resveratrol, and 1,500 mg/kg increased progressively with elongation of time by RT-PCR. Resveratrol is able to induce apoptosis of transplanted tumor cells. This apoptosis may be mediated by down-regulating apoptosis-regulated gene bcl-2 and up-regulating the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bax.

An agonist to the A3 adenosine receptor inhibits colon carcinoma growth in mice via modulation of GSK-3 beta and NF-kappa B.

A(3) adenosine receptor (A(3)AR) activation with the specific agonist CF101 has been shown to inhibit the development of colon carcinoma growth in syngeneic and xenograft murine models. In the present study, we looked into the effect of CF101 on the molecular mechanisms involved in the inhibition of HCT-116 colon carcinoma in mice. In tumor lesions derived from CF101-treated mice, a decrease in the expression level of protein kinase A (PKA) and an increase in glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta) was observed. This gave rise to downregulation of beta-catenin and its transcriptional gene products cyclin D1 and c-Myc. Further mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that these responses were counteracted by the selective A(3)AR antagonist MRS 1523 and by the GSK-3 beta inhibitors lithium and SB216763, confirming that the observed effects were A(3)AR and GSK-3 beta mediated. CF101 downregulated PKB/Akt expression level, resulting in a decrease in the level and DNA-binding capacity of NF-kappa B, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the PKA and PKB/Akt inhibitors H89 and Worthmannin mimicked the effect of CF101, supporting their involvement in mediating the response to the agonist. This is the first demonstration that A(3)AR activation induces colon carcinoma growth inhibition via the modulation of the key proteins GSK-3 beta and NF-kappa B.