Stereochemical insights into neuroprotective alkaloids from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia

A new alkaloid featured with a dibenz[c,e]azepin-5-one scaffold, namely emililactam A (3), together with a known pyrrolidine alkaloid (emilisonchine, 1) and a known flavonoid alkaloid [8-(2″-pyrrolidinone-5″-yl)-quercetin, 2] were isolated from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated as racemic forms which were further separated, for the first time, to their corresponding enantiomers [(+)-1/(-)-1 and (+)-2/(-)-2], respectively, by using chiral-phase HPLC. The structure of new compound 3 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. In addition, the absolute configurations of optically pure (+)-1/(-)-1 and (+)-2/(-)-2 were determined by the time-dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations. In an in vitro bioassay, compounds (+)-1, (-)-1, (±)-1, and 3 exhibited moderate neuroprotective effects against corticosterone-induced injuries of PC12 cells.

Analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. and their in vitro neurotoxicity

This study was to analyze the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in Eupatorium fortunei herbs and its derived finished products with a view to evaluating their effects on the proliferation and oligodendrogenesis of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Using a LC-MS/MS method with 32 PAs reference standards, 8 PAs including intermedine, intermedine N-oxide, lycopsamine, lycopsamine N-oxide, retronecine, seneciphylline and senkirkine and 7-acetylintermedine N-oxide were identified with intermedine N-oxide and lycopsamine N-oxide being most abundant. The total PA amounts were found to vary from 0.18 to 61.81 μg/g in 30 batches of herbs and from 0.86 to 36.96 μg/g in 4 commercial finished products, respectively. Risk assessments indicated that the short-term intake seemed unlikely lead to acute toxic effects but the chronic use warranted cautions. Using NPCs derived from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells as an in vitro testing model, intermedine, intermedine N-oxide and lycopsamine N-oxide appeared to decrease cell viability at 30 μM whereas intermedine N-oxide inhibited oligodendrogenesis of NPCs at 10 μM. The present results suggested that the PAs in the majority of E. fortunei herbs and the derived products not only resulted in their exposure far exceeding the acceptable intake limit (i. e. 1.0 μg PA per day for adults) in herbal medicinal products recommended by the European Medicines Agency but also induced neurotoxicity to NPCs in vitro.

Glycyrrhetinic Acid Maintains Intestinal Homeostasis via HuR

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is one of the main components of the traditional Chinese medicine of licorice, which can coordinate and promote the effects of other medicines in the traditional prescription. We found that GA could promote the proliferation, decrease the apoptotic rate, and attenuate DFMO-elicited growth arrest and delay in restitution after wounding in IEC-6 cells via HuR. GA failed to promote proliferation and to suppress apoptosis after silencing HuR by siRNA in IEC-6 cells. Furthermore, with the model of small intestinal organoids developed from intestinal crypt stem cells, we found that GA could increase HuR and its downstream ki67 levels to promote intestinal organoid development. In the in vivo assay, GA was shown to maintain the integrity of the intestinal epithelium under the circumstance of 48 h-fasting in rats via raising HuR and its downstream genes such as EGF, EGFR, and MEK. These results suggested that via HuR modulation, GA could promote intestinal epithelium homeostasis, and therefore contribute to the absorption of constituents from other medicines co-existing in the traditional prescription with licorice in the small intestine. Our results provide a new perspective for understanding the effect of licorice on enhancing the therapeutic effect of traditional prescriptions according to the traditional Chinese medicine theory.

Simultaneous Determination and Risk Assessment of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Artemisia capillaris Thunb. by UPLC-MS/MS Together with Chemometrics

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural toxins found in some genera of the family Asteraceae. However, it has not been reported whether PAs are present in the widely used Asteraceae plant Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (A. capillaris). The purpose of this study was to establish a sensitive and rapid UPLC-MS/MS method together with chemometrics analysis for simultaneous determination and risk assessment of PAs in A. capillaris. The developed UPLC-MS/MS method was validated and was confirmed to display desirable high selectivity, precision and accuracy. Risk assessment was conducted according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guideline. Chemometrics analysis was performed with hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis to characterize the differences between PAs of A. capillaris. Finally, PAs were found in 29 out of 30 samples and at least two were detected in each sample, besides, more than half of the samples exceeded the EMA baseline. Nevertheless, the chemometrics results suggested that the PAs contents of A. capillaris from different sources varied significantly. The method was successfully applied to the detection and risk evaluation of PAs-containing A. capillaris for the first time. This study should provide a meaningful reference for the rational and safe use of A. capillaris.

[Diagnostic value of narrow-band imaging in detection of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value and feasibility of narrow-band imaging in detection of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: One thousand three hundred and sixty-four NPC patients who had completed NPC treatment were enrolled. All patients were followed-up with imaging, serological examination of EB virus and nasopharyngeal endoscopy(WL and NBI mode), in which (1) both white light (WL) and NBI modes were done; (2) positive endoscopic patients were given nasopharyngeal biopsy; (3) using histologic finding as criterion standard, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Yonden's index of two modes were compared. Kappa index was used to evaluate the consistency between the two modes and pathological results respectively; (4) the positive rates of WL and NBI in patients with early recurrent (stage Ⅰ+ Ⅱ) were compared. Results: A total of 265 cases were suspected as having recurrent lesions by endoscopy in WL mode and 68 cases of them were pathologically diagnosed as having NPC; and 82 cases were suspected as having recurrent lesions by endoscopy in NBI mode and 74 cases of them were pathologically diagnosed as having NPC. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Yonden's index of WL mode were 91.89%, 0, 25.09% and -0.0811, respectively, with a kappa of -0.045; the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Yonden's index of NBI mode were 100.00%, 95.94%, 97.05% and 0.9594, respectively. Conclusion: NBI has higher sensitivity, specificity, early diagnosis rate and Yonden's index than WL.

Cryptoporic acid S, a new drimane-type sesquiterpene ether of isocitric acid from the fruiting bodies of Cryptoporus volvatus

A new drimane-type sesquiterpene with an isocitric acid moiety, cryptoporic acid S (1), together with six known compounds, cryptoporic acid D (2), β-sitosterol (3), β-daucosterol (4), stigmast-4-en-3-one (5), ergosterol (6), and (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol (7), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Cryptoporus volvatus. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR analysis. In the meanwhile, compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for antioxidant activity using the methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (DPPH-RSA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and they exhibited moderate antioxidant activities.

An unusual sesquiterpene coumarin from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis

A sesquiterpene coumarin, sinkiangenorin E, consisting of a novel bicyclo[4.3.1]decane-type sesquiterpene system, was isolated from the seeds of Ferula sinkiangensis. The structure of sinkiangenorin E including the relative stereochemistry and the absolute configuration was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The new compound showed cytotoxic activity against AGS cells (IC50, 12.7 μM) and inhibiting effect against influenza A H1N1 (IC50, 4.0 μM), which provided important clues for the study on the bioactivities of this type of sesquiterpene coumarins.

Synergistic anti-tumor activity and mechanisms of total glycosides from Cimicifuga dahurica in combination with cisplatin

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect and mechanism of combination treatment of the total glycosides from Cimicifuga dahurica (TGCD) and cisplatin (CDDP) in vitro in human colon cancer cells (HCT-8) and in vivo in mouse hepatoma cells (H22)-bearing mice.

METHODS

H22 tumor-bearing imprinting control region (ICR) mice were treated with TGCD, CDDP, and TGCD + CDDP for 10 days. Tumor volume and tumor weight were evaluated. TGCD and CDDP in different concentrations were added separately and in combination to cultures of different cancer cell lines, including the HCT-8. Effects of TGCD and CDDP on cell proliferation were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazole)-2-5-biphenly-tetrazole bromide (MTT) method and effects on cell apoptosis were tested by flfl ow cytometry and western blotting at 24 h after treatment.

RESULTS

Combination index values (CI<0.8) suggested the synergistic effects of the TGCD + CDDP. This combination resulted in the highest increase in the percentage of apoptotic HCT-8 cells, caused cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and increased expression of cleaved caspase-3, -8, and -9, Bax, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), as well as decreased expression of Bcl-2, JNK, p38 MAPK, Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), caspase-3, and caspase-8 compared with single-agent treated and control groups. TGCD + CDDP treatment reduced tumor weight by 86.1%±7.2% compared with 64.5%±6.8% by CDDP or 46.9%±6.9% by the TGCD alone in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

TGCD enhanced the anticancer activity of CDDP in an additive-to-synergistic manner by activating multiple signaling pathways (including apoptosis). These fifi ndings suggest the potential benefifi t of combined treatment of the TGCD and CDDP against cancer of the colon and liver.

Cajaninstilbene acid prevents corticosterone-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Cajaninstilbene acid (3-hydroxy-4-prenyl-5-methoxystilben-2 -carboxylic acid, CSA), a natural stilbene isolated from the leaves of Cajanus cajan, has attracted considerable attention for its wide range of pharmacological activities. This study investigated whether CSA protects against corticosterone (CORT)-induced injury in PC12 cells and examined the potential mechanisms underlying this protective effect.

METHODS

Cell viability and cytotoxicity were detected using a 3-(4,5-desethyithiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit, respectively. PC12 cell apoptosis was measured using Hoechst 33342 staining and a DNA fragmentation assay kit, and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations were assessed by fluorescent labelling. Next, the mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTPs) and mitochondrial membrane potentials (∆Ψm) were detected using a colorimetric mPTP detection kit and a 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'- tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) kit, respectively. Finally, cytochrome c, caspase-3 and inhibitor of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (ICAD) expression levels were monitored by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Treatment with 100 µmol/l CORT induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. However, CSA dose-dependently increased cell viability and decreased LDH release as well as CORT-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, compared with the CORT-treated group, CSA strongly attenuated intracellular Ca(2+) overload and restored mitochondrial functions, including mPTPs and ∆Ψm. Furthermore, the down-regulation of cytochrome c and ICAD protein expression and the blockage of caspase-3 activity were observed upon CSA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our data are the first to show that the in vitro antidepressant-like effect of CSA may be attributed to the cytoprotection of neurons and that such neuroprotective mechanisms are correlated with intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.

[Chemical constituents of lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx]

In order to find the cardiotonic constituents of lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., the investigation was carried out. Silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, medium-pressure MCI and reverse phase ODS column chromatography were used to separate the 90% EtOH extract of the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. The structures of the isolated compounds have been identified by chemical properties and spectroscopic analyses. Ten compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated as benzoic acid-5-hydroxy-2-benzoyl-amino methyl ester (1), honokiol (2), pinoresinol (3), salicylic acid (4), p-hydroxy-cinnamic acid (5), songorine (6), karakoline (7), mesaconitine (8), hypaconitine (9) and 14-benzoylhypaconitine (10), separetely. Compound 1 is a new compound and its structure has been established by NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR and X-Ray. Compound 2-5 are isolated from the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. for the first time.

[Research on allelopathic effects of phellamurine]

Conducted research on new allelochemicals phellamurine extracted from deciduous of Phellodendron amurense, which worked in allelopathy effect to seed germination and growth process of P. amurense and P. chinense in order to interpret the causes of rare seedlings of wild populations of P. amurense. Extracted and separated phellamurine from P. amurense deciduous, and treated the seeds of P. amurense and P. chinense in after-ripening stage and germination stage with different concentrations of phellamurine solution, then detection of the seed germination rate, germination index, seedling height, root length and seed vigor index to evaluate the allelopathic effect of phellamurine. The results show that: phellamurine solution at 0.30 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seed after-ripening of P. amurense, and also the solution at 0.15 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seeds germination of P. amurense; the solution at 0.15 g x L(-1) produce significant inhibition to seeds after-ripening and seeds germination of P. chinense, inhibition intensity increased with the concentration and enhanced. For both species, the presence of phellamurine can lower the seed germination rate, extend the germination time, reduce the ability of seedlings to adapt to the environment, thus the phellamurine may be one of the causes of rare seedlings in the wild population of P. amurense.

[Chemical constituents contained in aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents contained in ethanol extracts from aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia.

METHOD

The compounds were separated and purified with various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.

RESULT

Fifteen compounds were separated from ethyl acetate fraction of 90% ethanolic extract and identified as rhamnetin (1), isorhamnetin (2), quercetin (3), luteolin (4), tricin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 8-(2"-pyrrolidinone-5"-yl) -quercetin (6), 5, -2', 6'-trihydroxy-7, 8-dimethoxyflavone-2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), succinic acid (8), fumaric acid (9), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (10), 4-hydroxy isophthalic acid (11), 3, 4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (12), esculetin (13), isowedelolactone (14) and uracil (15), respectively.

CONCLUSION

All compounds except compound 3 were separated from this genus for the first time.

[Neuroprotective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells]

This study is to investigate the protective effect of longistyline A against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. While PC12 cells were exposed to 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, cell survival rate was reduced and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased. In parallel, corticosterone caused significant elevations of DNA fragmentation, [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity. However, when the PC12 cells were incubated with longistyline A (4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 micromol x L(-1)) in the presence of 100 micromol x L(-1) corticosterone for 48 h, the effects were evidently alleviated, but dose-dependent manner was not obvious. In summary, longistyline A could generate a neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells possibly by decreasing [Ca2+]i and caspase-3 activity.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L. on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in mice

Cajanus cajan (L) is a natural plant which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbenes containing extract-fraction from Cajanus cajan L (sECC) on diet-induced (for 4 weeks) hypercholesterolemia in Kunming mice. All experimental mice were divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, sECC-treated with 200 or 100 mg/kg/day, and simvastatin group. The effects of sECC were investigated by monitoring serum and liver lipid profile (cholesterol homeostasis and triglyceride) as well as serum superoxide dismutase activity in those mice. To further explore the mechanism of sECC, hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL receptor) expressions in cholesterol homeostasis were analyzed by reverse transcription PCR. After 4 weeks pretreatment, compared with model group, the increased serum and hepatic total cholesterol were markedly attenuated by sECC (200 mg/kg) by 31.4% and 22.7% (p<0.01), respectively, the triglyceride levels of serum and liver were also lowered by 22.98% and 14.39%, respectively. At the same time, serum LDL cholesterol decreased by 52.8% (p<0.01) accompanied with the activities of serum superoxide dismutase increased by 20.98%. Atherogenic index and body weight were also reduced markedly. The mRNA expressions of HMG-CoA reductase, CYP7A1, and LDL-receptor were significantly enhanced in the mice administered with sECC (200 mg/kg/day), whereas those expressions were suppressed by the hypercholesterolemic diet. These data indicate that sECC reduces the atherogenic properties of dietary cholesterol in mice. Its hypocholesterolemic effect may involve enhancement of the hepatic LDL-receptor and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase expression levels and bile acid synthesis.

[Hypocholesterolemic effect of stilbene extract from Cajanus cajan L. on serum and hepatic lipid in diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice]

Cajanus cajan L. is a natural plant, which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we identified the effects of the stilbene extract from Cajanus cajan L. (sECC) on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in diet-induced (for 4 weeks) hyperlipidemic Kunming mice. All experimental mice were divided into 5 groups: control group, high lipid model group, sECC-treated with 200 or 100 mg kg(-1), and simvastatin (Sim, 12 mg kg(-1)) treated group. The mice were fed with fat and cholesterol-enriched chow except control mice that were fed with standard diet. The effects of sECC were investigated by monitoring serum and liver lipid profile (i. e. cholesterol homeostasis) in mice. To further explore the mechanism of sECC, hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expressions in cholesterol homeostasis were analyzed by reverse transcription PCR. After 4 weeks pretreatment, the mice in the high lipid model group showed markedly higher serum and hepatic lipid contents than control group (P< 0.01). Compared with high lipid model group, the increased serum and hepatic lipid contents were markedly attenuated by sECC (200 mg kg(-1)), the serum and hepatic total cholesterol were reduced by 31.5% and 22.7% (P<0.05), respectively. The triglyceride contents of serum and liver were also lowered by 23.0% and 14.4%, respectively. At the same times, serum LDL cholesterol decreased by 53.0% (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of hepatic CYP7A1 and LDL-receptor were significantly enhanced in the mice administered with sECC (200 mg kg(-1)), whereas those expressions were suppressed by the fat and cholesterol-enriched diet. These data indicate that sECC reduces the atherogenic properties of dietary cholesterol in mice. It is indicated that expression enhancement of hepatic LDL-receptor and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase may be responsible for the hypercholesterolemic effect.

[Cytotoxicity and mechanism of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside on HepG2 cells]

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the cytotoxicity and mechanism of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside isolated from C. dahurica on HepG2 cells and to find the leading compound for new drug development.

METHOD

MTT, AO/EB staining observation, flow cytometry and western blot methods were used to study the cytotoxicity, morphological changes, cell cycle distribution and protein expression profile of 23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside on HepG2 cells.

RESULT

23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells with IC50 at 16 micromol x L(-1), and could also induce apoptosis and G2-M cell cycle arrest. Further study demonstrated that the compound could cleavage PARP, regulate protein expression of bcl-2 family and decrease the expression of cdc 2 and cyclin B.

CONCLUSION

23-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside exerts its cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells via apoptosis and G2-M arrest. In addition, caspases family activation, regulation of protein expression of bcl-2 family and down regulation of cdc 2 and cyclin B were involved in apoptosis and G2-M arrest induced by it.

[Advances in study on chemical constituents from plants of genus Pfaffia and their bioactivities]

The progress in the studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of the genus Pfaffia is summarized in recent 20 years. These plants contain various chemical constituents and have broad bioactivities such as sthenic, anti-tumor, analgesic and anti-inflammatory and should be further investigated.

Siraitic acid F, a new nor-cucurbitacin with novel skeleton, from the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii

A new cucurbitane triterpene, siraitic acid F (1), has been isolated from the roots of Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey, and its structure has been elucidated as 29-nor-4,24-diene-3,11-dioxo-19-hydroxy-6,19-cyclocucurbitane-26-oic acid on the basis of spectroscopic evidences, including a series of 2D NMR analyses.

Two new cyclolanostanol glycosides from the aerial parts of Cimicifuga foetida

Two new cyclolanostanol glycosides, cimifoetiside IV (1) and cimifoetiside V (2) and two known compounds have been isolated from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L. On the basis of spectral and chemical evidences, the structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated to be 25-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1" --> 2')-beta-D-xylopyranoside (1) and cimigenol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1"' --> 2")-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1" --> 2')-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2). The known compounds were identified as 25-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranoside (3) and 23-O-acetylshengmanol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranoside (4).

Chemical constituents of Typhonium giganteum Engl

A new cerebroside, named typhonoside (1), was isolated from the root tuber of Typhonium giganteum Engl. along with three known compounds dipalmitin (2), alpha-monopalmitin (3) and 2,6-diamino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine (4). The structure of 1 was determined to be 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2-[(2'-hydroxyl-docosanoyl)amino]-8-otadecene-1,3,4-triol on the basis of spectral data.

[Analysis of the characteristics of human papilloma virus infection in 85 neoplasms of the respiratory system in adult patients]

Eighty five neoplastic tissues of respiratory system in Chinese adult patients were searched for HPV by multiple PCR and in situ hybridization. In 13 of the specimens examined, HPV DNA was identified (15.3%), including 6 of 36 cases of pharyngolaryngeal neoplasms (16.6%) and 7 of 49 cases of lung squamous cell carcinomas (14.2%). Among the 13 cases tumor specimen, most of them were positive for HPV6/11 types and a few were double positive for HPV 6/11 and 16 types. Many tumor cells positive for HPV DNA on in situ hybridization were morphologically similar to those koilocytes in genital condylomas. HPV infection in 85 neoplasms was characterized by the fact that the same genotypes of HPV were detected in upper and lower respiratory tract and that the dominant virus types detected were HPV 6/11 types. The detection rate of HPV was a little higher in the upper than that in the lower respiratory tract and the HPV DNA positive tumors had similar histological appearance. The results suggest that HPV infection in the neoplasms of the upper and the lower airways is related to each other with similar mode of transmission.

[A study of human papillary virus infection by in situ hybridization and histopathology in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung]

Paraffin embedded archival tissue from 7/49 carcinomas of the lung which were positive for HPV DNA examined by multiple PCR were again searched for HPV DNA by in situ hybridization technique. Five cases were found positive for HPV DNA by in situ hybridization, of which three cases were positive for HPV 11, One was positive for HPV 16 and the other was positive for both HPV 11 and 16. The hybridization signal was mainly located in the nuclei of the koilocytotic tumor cells. These results suggest that HPV infection may have some role in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

[Use of polymerase chain reaction with L1 consensus primer for detection of HPV16 and HPV18 in cervical cancer tissues]

Biopsy materials of cervical carcinoma including 20 cervical adenocarcinomas and 20 squamous cell carcinomas were collected. A rapid method for determining HPV type was developed, based on DdeI restriction enzymes analysis within the L1 region of HPV, amplified by PCR using consensus primers. The results indicated that HPV type 16 was detected more often in squamous cell carcinomas than in adenocarcinomas (80% vs 15%, P < 0.001), conversely, HPV type 18 was detected significantly more often in adenocarcinoma tissues (45% vs 5%, P < 0.001). These differences may reflect the presence of different virus receptors in cancer cells with different morphologic potential, or, they may indicate that the specific HPV infection actually plays a direct role in the process of carcinogenesis.

[Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung by multiple polymerase chain reaction]

49 cases of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of squamous cell carcinomas of the lung were searched for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Totally seven cases were positive for HPV DNA (14.2%), Among them four cases were positive for HPV6/11, one case was positive for HPV16 and two other cases were double positive for HPV6/11 and 16. These results suggest that HPV infection might play some role in development of squamous cell carcinomas of the lung.

Histopathological and ultrastructural changes of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus on the vulva

Studies of 82 skin specimens from 81 cases of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) are reported. Typical LSA pathological changes showed atrophy of the epidermis, hydropic degeneration at the basal layer, and homogenization of the collagen fibers in the superficial dermis with inflammatory cell infiltration underneath. Ultrastructural changes showed intercellular spaces enlarged, particularly near basal cells. Some mitochondria were swollen and rough endoplasmic reticula were enlarged. Some basement membranes were thinner, collagen fibers of varying diameters were arranged in irregular shapes and the fine structures had become unclear and had sometimes even disappeared.

A research for the relationship between human papillomavirus and human uterine cervical carcinoma. II. Molecular genetic and ultrastructural study on the transforming activity of recombinant retrovirus containing human papillomavirus type 16 subgenomic sequences

In order to elucidate the role of HPV-16 in the development of genital cancer, NIH3T3 cells were transfected by HPV-16 whole genome and its two early genes, E6-E7. Besides ordinary calcium phosphate/DNA coprecipitation technique, a newly designed recombinant retrovirus containing the HPV-16 genome or subgenomes was used to infect cells for transfer of the target genes. The transforming activities have been demonstrated to be most efficient when a bioengineering technique of this kind is used. HPV-16 DNA was proved to have transforming potential for NIH3T3 cells, and the DNA of HPV-16 was proved to undergo multisite integration into transformed cells and nude mice tumour cells. The E6-E7 open reading frames are sufficient for transforming NIH3T3 cells independently in vitro, which implies that E6-E7 open reading frames are transforming genes or even viral oncogenes of HPV-16. The RNA transcribed by the E6-E7 of HPV-16 was expressed in transformed cells and in tumour cells of nude mice. The use of a recombinant retrovirus for gene transfer in this study is much more efficient than that of calcium phosphate/DNA coprecipitation. The lack of a tissue-culture system suitable for HPV replication in vitro makes HPV gene recombination into a specially engineered retrovirus for viral-mediated gene transfer of particular significance for the possible application of viral carcinogenesis, both in vitro and in vivo, for basic and clinical research.

A research for the relationship between human papillomavirus and human uterine cervical carcinoma. I. The identification of viral genome and subgenomic sequences in biopsies of Chinese patients

Biopsies from 318 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, 48 with cervical and vulvar condylomata, 14 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 34 with chronic cervicitis and 24 with normal cervical epithelium were collected from different geographic regions with different cervical cancer mortalities. The DNA.DNA dot-blot and Southern blot hybridization results show that there is a close relationship between HPV-16 and the uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma in China. One very interesting observation is that the finding of HPV-16-homologous DNA differs significantly among five geographic regions, and corresponds with the mortalities from cervical cancer of these five regions. HPV-11 was found mainly in benign lesions. The rate of detection of HPV-16 in Chinese women increased from 8.3% in normal cervical epithelium to 20% in chronic cervicitis, 28% in cervical condyloma, 50% in CIN and 60.4% in cervical cancer. It is suggested that HPV-16 infection may be an etiological factor in the development of human cervical carcinoma. From the results of Southern blot hybridization, it appeared that HPV-16 DNA had been integrated into the genome of the host cell in cervical cancer. Whereas the HPV-16 DNA sequence was only present as an episome in normal cervical epithelium and cervical benign lesions. The rate of occurrence of E6-E7 genes is the highest (88.9%) compared with that of other subgenomic fragments of HPV-16 in specimens of human cervical cancer in China. This implies that E6 and E7 may be the oncogenic genes of HPV-16 and play an important role in the carcinogenesis of human cervical epithelial cells. The amplification and rearrangement of the c-myc protooncogene are closely associated with the occurrence of cervical cancer. The results presented here revealed that the activated c-myc oncogene may cooperate with HPV-16 in the carcinogenic processes.

Viral etiology of cervical carcinoma. Human papilloma virus and herpes simplex virus type 2

The possible role of human papilloma virus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in the viral etiology of cervical carcinoma was investigated a series of cervical lesions were studied for the presence of HPV and HSV-2 DNA sequences as well as HPV and HSV-2 antigens by DNA dot blot hybridization technique and high-specificity PAP staining method. The results obtained were correlated with the histologic diagnosis. HPV 16 DNA sequences detected in cervical carcinoma biopsies were 43%, whereas HSV-2 DNA sequences were only 8%. HPV antigens detected in cervical dysplasia were 31%, whereas those detected in cervical carcinoma and cervicitis were the least. HSV-2 antigens were detected in chronic cervicitis, dysplasia and cervical carcinoma. The difference in positive rate between the cervical carcinoma and cervicitis groups was statistically significant, (chi-square test, P less than 0.01). No HPV DNA and HSV-2 DNA sequences were found in the same specimen, although both HPV DNA sequences and HSV-2 antigens were found in the same sample in some cases. The results indicate that the viral etiology of cervical carcinoma may be multifactorial. Both HSV-2 and HPV may be associated with cervical carcinoma, but the mechanisms involved are different. HSV-2 and HPV may act synergistically in the development of cervical carcinoma.