Resveratrol inhibits phorbol ester and UV-induced activator protein 1 activation by interfering with mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

Resveratrol, a phenolic compound found in grapes and other food products, prevents chemical-induced carcinogenesis in a number of animal models of cancers. To better understand its chemopreventive property, we examined effects of resveratrol on the activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1), a dimeric transcription factor that plays a critical role in the carcinogenesis and tumor transformation. Pretreatment of HeLa cells with resveratrol inhibited the transcription of AP-1 reporter gene by UVC and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Pretreatment with resveratrol also inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 2 (ERK2), c-jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), and p38. Selectively blocking mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways by overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of kinases attenuated the AP-1 activation by PMA and UVC. Interestingly, resveratrol had little effect on the induction of AP-1 reporter gene by active Raf-1, MEKK1, or MKK6, suggesting that it inhibited MAPK pathways by targeting the signaling molecules upstream of Raf-1 or MEKK1. Indeed, incubation of resveratrol with the isolated c-Src protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C diminished their kinase activities. Furthermore, inhibition of protein tyrosine kinases and protein kinase C with their selective inhibitors impaired the activation of MAPKs as well as the induction of AP-1 activity by PMA and UVC. In addition, modulation of estrogen receptor activity with 17beta-estradiol had no effect on the inhibition of AP-1 by resveratrol. Taken together, these results suggest that the effects of resveratrol on AP-1 and MAPK pathways may involve the inhibition of both protein tyrosine kinases and protein kinase C.

Glycolic acid treatment increases type I collagen mRNA and hyaluronic acid content of human skin

BACKGROUND

Chronic solar irradiation results in both morphologic and functional changes in affected skin. alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, have been shown to improve photodamaged skin.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate alterations in collagen gene induction and epidermal and dermal hyaluronic acid production as a result of administered glycolic acid.

METHODS

In this study we compared collagen gene expression from skin biopsy specimens, and epidermal and dermal hyaluronic acid immunohistochemical staining between glycolic acid-treated and vehicle-treated skin. Forearm skin was treated with 20% glycolic acid lotion or a lotion vehicle control twice a day for 3 months.

RESULTS

Epidermal and dermal hyaluronic acid and collagen gene expression were all increased in glycolic acid-treated skin as compared to vehicle-treated controls.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that epidermal and dermal remodeling of the extracellular matrix results from glycolic acid treatment. Longer treatment intervals may result in collagen deposition as suggested by the measured increase in mRNA.

His-His-Leu, an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory peptide derived from Korean soybean paste, exerts antihypertensive activity in vivo

It has been reported that soybean peptide fractions isolated from Korean fermented soybean paste exert angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity in vitro. In this study, further purification and identification of the most active fraction inhibiting ACE activity were performed, and its antihypertensive activity in vivo was confirmed. Subsequently, a novel ACE inhibitory peptide was isolated by preparative HPLC. The amino acid sequence of the isolated peptide was identified as His-His-Leu (HHL) by Edman degradation. The IC(50) value of the HHL for ACE activity was 2.2 microg/mL in vitro. Moreover, the synthetic tripeptide HHL (spHHL) resulted in a significant decrease of ACE activity in the aorta and led to lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats compared to control. Triple injections of spHHL, 5 mg/kg of body weight/injection resulted in a significant decrease of SBP by 61 mmHg (p < 0.01) after the third injection. These results demonstrated that the ACE inhibitory peptide HHL derived from Korean fermented soybean paste exerted antihypertensive activity in vivo.

Cone beam volume CT image artifacts caused by defective cells in x-ray flat panel imagers and the artifact removal using a wavelet-analysis-based algorithm

The application of x-ray flat panel imagers (FPIs) in cone beam volume CT (CBVCT) has attracted increasing attention. However, due to a deficient semiconductor array manufacturing process, defective cells unavoidably exist in x-ray FPIs. These defective cells cause their corresponding image pixels in a projection image to behave abnormally in signal gray level, and result in severe streak and ring artifacts in a CBVCT image reconstructed from the projection images. Since a three-dimensional (3-D) back-projection is involved in CBVCT, the formation of the streak and ring artifacts is different from that in the two-dimensional (2-D) fan beam CT. In this paper, a geometric analysis of the abnormality propagation in the 3D back-projection is presented, and the morphology of the streak and ring artifacts caused by the abnormality propagation is investigated through both computer simulation and phantom studies. In order to calibrate those artifacts, a 2D wavelet-analysis-based statistical approach to correct the abnormal pixels is proposed. The approach consists of three steps: (1) the location-invariant defective cells in an x-ray FPI are recognized by applying 2-D wavelet analysis on flat-field images, and a comprehensive defective cell template is acquired; (2) based upon the template, the abnormal signal gray level of the projection image pixels corresponding to the location-invariant defective cells is replaced with the interpolation of that of their normal neighbor pixels; (3) that corresponding to the isolated location-variant defective cells are corrected using a narrow-windowed median filter. The CBVCT images of a CT low-contrast phantom are employed to evaluate this proposed approach, showing that the streak and ring artifacts can be reliably eliminated. The novelty and merit of the approach are the incorporation of the wavelet analysis whose intrinsic multi-resolution analysis and localizability make the recognition algorithm robust under variable x-ray exposure levels between 30% and 70% of the dynamic range of an x-ray FPI.

Synergistic protection of allopregnanolone and phenobarbital against maximal electroshock seizures in mice

AIM

To examine the interactions of allopregnanolone and phenobarbital for the protection against seizures.

METHODS

The protective activity of allopregnanolone and/or phenobarbital against seizures was studied in the C57 mice, using the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test. The modulations by allopregnanolone and/or phenobarbital at the GABA(A) receptor were also characterized using the [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the membrane preparation of mouse cerebral cortex.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with phenobarbital produced a dose-dependent protective effect against seizures. The ED50 value of phenobarbital was 2.61 (95 % confidence limits: 1.59 - 4.26) mg . kg-1. Likewise, the ED50 value of allopregnanolone was 0.11 (0.06 - 0.18) mg . kg-1. The combination of allopregnanolone and phenobarbital (1:20) resulted in an ED50 value of 0.73 (0.44 - 1.21) mg . kg-1 with the Q value smaller than 1. In measuring the enhancement of [3H]flunitrazepam binding, we found that the pattern for the concentration-effect curves of phenobarbital with or without allopregnanolone was consistent with that of the theoretical curves of functional synergism.

CONCLUSION

There was a synergism between allopregnanolone and phenobarbital for the protective activity against seizures. Also there was a functional synergism between these two agents for the enhancement of [3H]flunitrazepam binding to the GABAA receptor complex in the brain.

Practical synthesis, separation, and stereochemical assignment of the PMPA pro-drug GS-7340

The practical synthesis of a mixed phenoxy-amidate derivative of PMPA with high oral bioavailability and favorable pharmacokinetics is described. The non-stereoselective synthetic route produces a 1:1 mixture of two diastereomers at phosphorous. Simulated moving bed chromatography using Chiralpak AS enabled kilo-scale isolation of the more potent diastereomer (GS-7340). The GS-7340 phosphorous chiral center was found to be (S) by X-ray crystallography.

Modulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the bronchial epithelium of smokers

Clinical chemoprevention trials seek to intervene in the carcinogenic process to suppress, reverse, or delay the development of invasive cancer. Dysregulated cell growth is a hallmark of epithelial carcinogenesis, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a marker of dysregulated proliferation that is highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancers. Squamous metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium is found in chronic smokers and has been considered an early premalignant change. To evaluate the effect of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cRA) on PCNA modulation, we evaluated PCNA expression in a total of 706 bronchial biopsy specimens from histologically normal, hyperplastic, metaplastic, and dysplastic bronchial tissues obtained from 86 healthy smokers at baseline, of whom 69 subjects had completed 6 months of treatment on a randomized placebo-controlled chemoprevention trial of 13-cRA and had repeat bronchoscopic biopsies. PCNA expression was evaluated with respect to bronchial metaplasia and as an intermediate end point for response in the trial. In the bronchial biopsies obtained from six standardized pretreatment and posttreatment sites, high PCNA expression correlated significantly with more advanced histological grade (P < 0.001). Furthermore, smoking cessation during therapy correlated well with reduced PCNA expression (P = 0.006), although multivariate analysis indicated that this reduction in PCNA expression was associated with the reversal of squamous metaplasia. The level of PCNA expression appeared to correlate with the level of epidermal growth factor receptor expression both at baseline and at 6 months. In those patients who ceased smoking during the intervention, the 13-cRA also appeared to be more effective than placebo in reducing PCNA expression (P = 0.034 in all of the layers; P = 0.026 in basal layers). The efficacy of 13-cRA in the down-regulation of PCNA in quitters was independent of baseline PCNA expression levels. Our study demonstrated that increased PCNA expression was associated with histological progression from normal bronchial epithelium to squamous metaplasia and dysplasia. The modulation of PCNA by 13-cRA in patients who quit smoking suggests a potentially important role for regulating this proliferation marker in retinoid chemoprevention studies of former smokers.

[The combination of cyclosporin A and androgen in the treatment of chronic aplastic anemia]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effectiveness of combination of cyclosporin A (CsA) and androgen in the treatment of chronic aplastic anemia (CAA).

METHOD

Androgen alone or combined with CsA for the treatment of CAA was compared by a randomized controlled clinical trial.

RESULT

The efficacy of androgen combined with CsA (87.9%) was higher than that of androgen alone (57.1%). Therapeutic effectiveness of the combination treatment between the patients with positive and negative peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) inhibiting normal colony formation unit-granulocyte and macrophage (CFU-GM) test showed a significant difference (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Androgen combined with CsA had a much better efficacy than that of androgen alone in the treatment of CAA. The patients' PBMNCs inhibiting normal CFU-GM growth test can be used as an index of the treatment outcome. The side effects of the combination therapy are low and tolerable.

Increased activity of protein kinase C in alveolar macrophages in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes on protein kinase C (PKC) activity of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

METHODS

The PKC activity of AM in 9 healthy volunteers and 15 patients with IPF was investigated by measuring the radioactivity.

RESULTS

The total, cytosolic and membrane PKC activity of AM in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients with IPF were higher than those from control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively). The total and the membrane-associated PKC activity had a positive correlation with the number of cells in BALF (r = 0.8135, P < 0.01 and r = 0.5917, P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSION

As a bypass of transmembrane signal transduction, PKC was suggested to be involved in the origination and development of IPF.

Phase I trial of 40-kd branched pegylated interferon alfa-2a for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Pegylated (40 kd) interferon alfa-2a (IFNalpha2a) (PEGASYS, Hoffman-La Roche, Nutley, NJ; PEG-IFN) is a modified form of recombinant human IFNalpha2a with sustained absorption and prolonged half-life after subcutaneous administration. A phase I study of PEG-IFN with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations was conducted in previously untreated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients were enrolled onto cohorts of three or six patients. PEG-IFN was administered on a weekly basis by subcutaneous injection. The dose was escalated from 180 microg/wk to a maximum of 540 microg/wk in 90-microg increments. Serial venous blood samples were drawn to assess concentrations of PEG-IFN and two immunologic surrogates, neopterin and 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS).

RESULTS

The maximum-tolerated dose was determined as 540 microg/wk, because two patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity within 28 days of starting treatment. One developed serum grade 3 ALT elevation, and a second developed grade 3 fatigue. Six patients were treated at 450 microg/wk without dose-limiting toxicity. Over the course of treatment, the side-effect profile was mostly mild to moderate in intensity. Adverse events included fatigue, fever, headache, myalgia, nausea, and decreased appetite. Five patients (19%) achieved a partial response. The mean maximum serum concentration increased from 5.0 to 27 ng/mL, and mean area under the curve increased from 247 to 2,981 ng/h/mL, with dose escalation from 180 microg/wk to 540 microg/wk. Serum concentration of PEG-IFN was sustained at close to peak during the dosing interval, and steady-state was achieved in approximately 5 weeks. The immunologic surrogates, neopterin and OAS, were induced at all doses with a sustained concentration profile similar to PEG-IFN.

CONCLUSION

PEG-IFN is a modified form of IFNalpha2a with distinct pharmacokinetic advantages and immunomodulatory and antitumor activity for patients with advanced RCC. A dose of 450 microg/wk by subcutaneous administration was determined as a suitable dose for further study. PEG-IFN is more convenient to administer than IFNalpha and has potential for increased efficacy, less toxicity, or both. The efficacy and toxicity of PEG-IFN will be further assessed in clinical trials and compared with IFNalpha.

Human pituitary tumor-transforming gene induces angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a key determinant and rate-limiting step in tumor progression and metastatic spread. As pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) induces basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), we tested angiogenesis induced by conditioned medium (CM) derived from NIH-3T3 transfectants overexpressing wild-type human PTTG (WT-hPTTG-CM). We also examined the relationship between PTTG expression and tumor vascularity in a series of human tumors. CM from Wt-hPTTG transfectants induced proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. The bFGF concentration in WT-hPTTG-CM was elevated (10.5 +/- 0.56) compared with CM from nontransfected NIH-3T3 cells (3.3 +/- 0.56 pg/mL), and addition of anti-bFGF antibody to CM abrogated these angiogenesis markers (P < 0.01). In vivo, concentrated WT-hPTTG-CM induced chick chorioallantoic membrane spoke-wheel-like appearances. Moreover, CM derived from hPTTG transfectants harboring a point mutation on the C-terminus proline-rich region of PTTG induced weaker angiogenic activity than WT-hPTTG-CM (P < 0.01). Thus, human PTTG induces an angiogenic phenotype in both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis models, and high PTTG messenger ribonucleic acid is associated with an angiogenic phenotype in human tumors. These PTTG-directed angiogenic actions may be mediated through bFGF, which also contributes to tumor growth.

Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) regulates placental JEG-3 cell division and survival: evidence from live cell imaging

The pituitary transforming gene, PTTG, is abundantly expressed in endocrine neoplasms. PTTG has recently been recognized as a mammalian securin based on its biochemical homology to Pds1p. PTTG expression and intracellular localization were therefore studied during the cell cycle in human placental JEG-3 cells. PTTG mRNA and protein expressions were low at the G1/S border, gradually increased during S phase, and peaked at G2/M, but PTTG levels were attenuated as cells entered G1. In interphase cells, wild-type PTTG, an epitope-tagged PTTG, and a PTTG-EGFP conjugate all localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm, but in mitotic cells, PTTG was not observed in the chromosome region. PTTG-EGFP colocalized with mitotic spindles in early mitosis and was degraded in anaphase. Intracellular fates of PTTG-EGFP and a conjugate of EGFP and a mutant inactivated PTTG devoid of an SH3-binding domain were observed by real-time visualization of the EGFP conjugates in live cells. The same cells were continuously observed as they progressed from G1/S border to S, G2/M, and G1. Most cells (67%) expressing PTTG-EGFP died by apoptosis, and few cells (4%) expressing PTTG-EGFP divided, whereas those expressing mutant PTTG-EGFP divided. PTTG-EGFP, as well as the mutant PTTG-EGFP, disappeared after cells divided. The results show that PTTG expression and localization are cell cycle-dependent and demonstrate that PTTG regulates endocrine tumor cell division and survival.

Microtubule dynamics are involved in stomatal movement of Vicia faba L

To obtain a full picture of microtubule (MT) behavior during the opening and closure of guard cells we have microinjected living guard cells of Vicia faba with fluorescent tubulin, examined fine detail by freeze shattering fixed cells, and used drug treatments to confirm aspects of MT dynamics. Cortical MTs in fully opened guard cells are transversely oriented from the ventral wall to the dorsal wall. When the stomatal aperture was decreased by darkness, these MTs became twisted and patched and broken down into diffuse fragments when stomata were closed. When the closed stomata were opened in response to light, the MTs in guard cells changed from the diffused, transitional pattern back to one in which MTs are transversely oriented from stomatal pore to dorsal wall. This observation indicates a linkage between these MT changes and stomatal movement. To confirm this, we used the MT-stabilizing agent taxol and the MT-depolymerizing herbicide oryzalin and observed their effects on the stomatal aperture and MT dynamics. Both drugs suppressed light-induced stomatal opening and dark-induced closure. MTs are known to be necessary for maintaining the static kidney shape of guard cells; the present data now show that the dynamic properties of polymeric tubulin accompany changes in shape with stomatal movement and may be functionally involved in stomatal movement.

[Association of vascular endothelial growth factor expression with angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation in human lung cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the relation with angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation in human lung cancer.

METHODS

Expression of VEGF, angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation in 63 cases of human lung cancer were examined immunohistochemically. Anti-VEGF(165)-Ab3 was used for VEGF expression, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD(34) to identify intratumoral microvessel density (iMVD) and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a marker of proliferating tumor cells.

RESULTS

Positive staining for VEGF was obtained in 32 of the 63 cases (50.8%), iMVD varied from 4 to 138.7 (M = 36)/x 400 and the proportion of PCNA positive cells varied from 0 to 92% (M = 25.03%). iMVD in high-grade VEGF tumors was significantly higher than that in VEGF-negative tumors and low-grade VEGF tumors. PCNA labeling proliferation index in small cell lung cancer was higher than that in non-small cell lung cancer. iMVD significantly increased with increasing VEGF expression.

CONCLUSION

There is VEGF expression in lung cancer. VEGF expression is significantly associated with iMVD, but there is no association between iMVD or VEGF expression and PCNA expression. There is no association between VEGF expression and histological classification and clinical stages.

Adenovirus-mediated Bak gene transfer induces apoptosis in mesothelioma cell lines

OBJECTIVE

Conventional treatment for mesothelioma is largely ineffective. We therefore evaluated the novel approach of adenoviral gene transfer of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bak in mesothelioma cancer cell lines, which are sensitive and resistant to adenoviral p53.

METHODS

Binary adenoviral Bak (Ad/GT-Bak and Ad/GV16) and LacZ (Ad/GT-LacZ and Ad/GV16) vectors were used for transduction of the mesothelioma cell lines I-45 (p53 resistant) and REN (p53 sensitive). Protein levels were determined by Western blotting. Apoptosis was assessed by morphologic changes, caspase-3 cleavage, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of subdiploid populations. Cell viability was determined with the XTT assay. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance and the Student t test.

RESULTS

High levels of Bak gene transfer were seen after coadministration of Ad/GT-Bak and Ad/GV16 in both mesothelioma cell lines. Apoptosis was induced 24 hours after Bak but not LacZ gene transfer ([Bak: I-45, 36%; REN, 25%] vs [LacZ: I-45, 1%; REN, 3%], P <.05]) in p53-sensitive (REN) and p53-resistant (I-45) cell lines. Cellular viability was significantly decreased 48 to 72 hours after Bak gene transfer compared with control vector in both cell lines (72 hours: Bak I-45, 1.4% +/- 1.0%, and Bak REN, 4.7% +/- 1%, vs Lac-Z I-45, 83% +/- 3%, and Lac-Z REN, 100% +/- 1%; P <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the Bak gene induces apoptosis and decreased cellular viability in p53-sensitive and p53-resistant mesothelioma cells. These data suggest that the gene transfer of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members may represent a novel gene therapy strategy to treat mesothelioma.

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways induces antioxidant response element-mediated gene expression via a Nrf2-dependent mechanism

Antioxidant response element (ARE) regulates the induction of a number of cellular antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. However, the signaling pathways that lead to ARE activation remain unknown. Here, we report that the expression of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase (TAK1), and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK1) in HepG2 cells activated the ARE reporter gene, whereas the expression of their dominant-negative mutants impaired ARE activation by the chemicals sodium arsenite and mercury chloride. Coexpression of downstream kinases, MAP kinase kinase 4, MAP kinase kinase 6, and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase-1, but not MAP kinase kinase 3 and p38, augmented ARE activation by MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1. The coexpression of a basic leucine zipper transcription factor Nrf2 but not c-Jun also greatly enhanced the activation of reporter gene by MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1; however, a dominant-negative mutant of Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) blocked this event. Furthermore, when overexpressed, MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1 induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1, a gene regulated by ARE, and the cotransfection with the dominant-negative mutant of Nrf2 abolished the induction. Taken together, these results suggest that MAP kinase pathways that are activated by MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1 may link chemical signals to Nrf2, leading to the activation of ARE-dependent genes.

Polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene XRCC1 and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population

Gastric cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in China and other countries in eastern Asia. Studies of gastric cancer have revealed that it is a disease of complex etiology involving dietary, infectious, environmental, occupational and genetic factors. DNA repair capacity has been suggested as a genetic factor contributing to variation in susceptibility to cancer. In the present study, we described an association between 2 polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene XRCC1 and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. We used a polymerase chain reaction-based assay to detect Pvu II and Nci I restriction fragment length polymorphisms (XRCC1 26304 C-->T and XRCC1 28152 G-->A, respectively) in 188 patients with gastric cancer and 166 healthy controls. The XRCC1 26304 T allele (194Trp) frequency (34.6%) was higher and the XRCC1 28152 A allele (399Gln) frequency (25.6%) was lower in healthy Chinese controls than previously reported healthy U.S. Caucasian controls (7.2% and 34.1%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the putative high-risk genotypes XRCC1 26304 CC and XRCC1 28152 GA/AA were associated with a non-significant increased risk for gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.93-2.25 and OR=1.53, 95% CI= 0.98-2.39, respectively) compared with other genotypes. However, the XRCC1 26304 CC genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.09-3.20). Individuals with both putative high-risk genotypes (CC and GA/AA) had a significantly higher risk (adjusted OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.12-2.69), particularly for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.21-3.94) than individuals with other genotypes. These findings support the hypothesis that these 2 XRCC1 variants may contribute to the risk of developing gastric cancer, particularly gastric cardia cancer.

Polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene XRCC1 and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population

Gastric cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in China and other countries in eastern Asia. Studies of gastric cancer have revealed that it is a disease of complex etiology involving dietary, infectious, environmental, occupational and genetic factors. DNA repair capacity has been suggested as a genetic factor contributing to variation in susceptibility to cancer. In the present study, we described an association between 2 polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene XRCC1 and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. We used a polymerase chain reaction-based assay to detect Pvu II and Nci I restriction fragment length polymorphisms (XRCC1 26304 C-->T and XRCC1 28152 G-->A, respectively) in 188 patients with gastric cancer and 166 healthy controls. The XRCC1 26304 T allele (194Trp) frequency (34.6%) was higher and the XRCC1 28152 A allele (399Gln) frequency (25.6%) was lower in healthy Chinese controls than previously reported healthy U.S. Caucasian controls (7.2% and 34.1%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the putative high-risk genotypes XRCC1 26304 CC and XRCC1 28152 GA/AA were associated with a non-significant increased risk for gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.93-2.25 and OR=1.53, 95% CI= 0.98-2.39, respectively) compared with other genotypes. However, the XRCC1 26304 CC genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.09-3.20). Individuals with both putative high-risk genotypes (CC and GA/AA) had a significantly higher risk (adjusted OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.12-2.69), particularly for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.21-3.94) than individuals with other genotypes. These findings support the hypothesis that these 2 XRCC1 variants may contribute to the risk of developing gastric cancer, particularly gastric cardia cancer.

[The analysis of the axises of corneal astigmatism and total astigmatism in astigmatic patients]

PURPOSE

The axial amount and the relationship between the axises of corneal astigmatism and total astigmatism were statistically analyzed in ametropic patients, for the purpose of selecting the refractive correction, the base curve of contact lens, the axis of astigmatic contact lens, and providing the reference of operational amount of ecimer laser keratoplasty.

METHODS

The refractive state and the corneal curvature of ametropic patients were measured and consecutvely repeated 3 times in the same eye at the same state with the same autorefractometer in 107 cases. The detected axises of total astigmatism and corneal astigmatism were statistically analyzed through the computerized recording.

RESULTS

The mean angle between the axis of corneal astigmatism and the axis of total astigmatism was 5.73 degrees +/- 3.97 degrees in myopic patients, 3.13 degrees +/- 2.49 degrees in mixture astigmatism patients and 6.35 degrees +/- 4.20 degrees in hyperopic patients.

CONCLUSION

The angle between the axis of corneal astigmatism and the axis of total astigmatism in the refractive state was mainly caused by the difference of the axises of surface astigmatism of lens and cornea.

[Imaging diagnosis for abdominal tuberculous lymphadenopathy]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of X-ray imaging for diagnosing abdominal tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

METHODS

27 cases of tuberculous lymphadenopathy proved by clinical or pathohistological evidence were collected, all of which were examined with radiological imaging methods.

RESULTS

The typical CT findings enlarged lymph nodes with peripheral or multilocular enhancement. Enlarged lymph nodes with multiple flecked or massive calcifications were important for diagnosis. Ultrasound examination showed enlarged lymph nodes with uniform echo (less than 2 cm) and with heterogeneous echo (larger than 2 cm). The aim of the barium meal examination of the gastrointestinal tract was to find tuberculous lymphadenopathy encroaching on intestine or merged with intestinal tuberculosis. Abdominal X-ray plain film was helpful to find the calcified tuberculous lymphadenopathy and intestinal obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Various imaging methods have shown their diagnostic value, but CT was the most important tool for definite diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound was more useful for follow-up cases.

Activation of antioxidant-response element (ARE), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and caspases by major green tea polyphenol components during cell survival and death

Green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been demonstrated to suppress tumorigenesis in several chemical-induced animal carcinogenesis models, and predicted as promising chemopreventive agents in human. Recent studies of GTP extracts showed the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the regulation of Phase II enzymes gene expression and induction of apoptosis. In the current work we compared the biological actions of five green tea catechins: (1) induction of ARE reporter gene, (2) activation of MAP kinases, (3) cytotoxicity in human hepatoma HepG2-C8 cells, and (4) caspase activation in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells. For the induction of phase II gene assay, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) potently induced antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated luciferase activity, with induction observed at 25 microM with EGCG. The induction of ARE reporter gene appears to be structurally related to the 3-gallate group. Comparing the activation of MAPK by the five polyphenols, only EGCG showed potent activation of all three MAPKs (ERK, JNK and p38) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas EGC activated ERK and p38. In the concentration range of 25 microM to 1 mM, EGCG and ECG strongly suppressed HepG2-ARE-C8 cell-growth. To elucidate the mechanisms of green tea polyphenol-induced apoptosis, we measured the activation of an important cell death protein, caspase-3 induced by EGCG, and found that caspase-3 was activated in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, the activation of caspase-3 was a relatively late event (peaked at 16 h), whereas activation of MAPKs was much earlier (peaked at 2 h). It is possible, that at low concentrations of EGCG, activation of MAPK leads to ARE-mediated gene expression including phase II detoxifying enzymes. Whereas at higher concentrations of EGCG, sustained activation of MAPKs such as JNK leads to apoptosis. These mechanisms are currently under investigation in our laboratory. As the most abundant catechin in GTP extract, we found that EGCG potently induced ARE-mediated gene expression, activated MAP kinase pathway, stimulated caspase-3 activity, and induced apoptosis. These mechanisms together with others, may contribute to the overall chemopreventive function of EGCG itself as well as the GTP

[Quantitative evaluation of dyspnea and the effects of M-receptor antagonist on dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

OBJECTIVE

To study the method of quantitative evaluation of dyspnea and to investigate the effects of M-receptor antagonist inhalation on dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during exercise.

METHODS

Cycle exercise test was used in 27 patients with COPD and the effects of ipratropium bromide, a M-receptor antagonist, by inhalation on dyspnea and exercise capacity in the patients were observed.

RESULTS

(1) Dyspnea index as Borg scale was closely correlated with oxygen uptake (V(O2)) during exercise in all the patients. Three variables for quantitative evaluation of dyspnea could be derived from the linear regression line. They were Borg scale slope (BSS), threshold load of dyspnea (TLD), and breakpoint load of dyspnea(BLD). (2) BSS was negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (r = -0.519, P < 0.01) and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (r = -0.497, P < 0.01) but positively correlated with residual volume/total lung capacity (r = 0.396, P < 0.05). (3) Inhalation of ipratropium bromide could significantly improve BSS [from (12.09 +/- 3.41) BS x L(-1) x min(-1) to (8.57 +/- 2.79) BS x L(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.01] and BLD [from (0.77 +/- 0.19) L/min to (0.81 +/- 0.14) L/min, P < 0.05] during exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) BSS, TLD and BLD could be used as reliable and convenient variables in quantitative evaluation of dyspnea in patients with COPD. BSS and BLD could to some extent reflect the severity of the disease. (2) M-receptor antagonists could alleviate dyspnea and increase exercise capacity in patients with COPD.

[Vibrational spectroscopic investigation of a series of heterometallic cubane-like M'-Mo (W) cluster compounds]

By combining the results of IR spectroscopic experiments with the molecular structures, the main stretching vibrations of a series of the heterometallic tetranuclear cluster compounds with [M3YS3M'] cluster core (M = Mo, W; Y = O, S; M' = Cu, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi) have been assigned. The characteristic features and the bonding situations of the five configuration types are discussed. It is shown from the IR and Raman spectra that when M' is a transition metal such as Cu, the nu M's frequency of the [M3YS3M'] core has a value comparable to that of corresponding M'-S covalent bond thus indicating a close combination of M' with [M3YS3]. Whereas when M' is a main group metal, the nu M'-s vibration is always observed in a lower region than of the M'-S covalent bond because of a loose combination of M' with[M3YS3]. However, remarkable enhancement of M-M band strength due to the addition of M' is demonstrated by Raman spectra. Some comments for the M-M vibration of various structures of these compounds are also described.

[Vibrational and electronic spectra of a discrete and a tetramer containing [Mo3S7] core]

In this paper, the IR, Raman and UV-Vis spectra of a discrete cluster [Mo3S7(dtp)3I]1 and its tetramer [[Mo3S7(dtp)3]4I].[(HgI3)4].K]2(dtp = S2P(OC2H5)2-) were reported. The spectral characteristics of the compounds were discussed. According to the results of the studies on the structure and spectra, it was the weak intermolecular interaction and electrons transfer after tetramerization that led to the variation in the electronic structure of the compounds.