Over-expression of inducible heat shock protein 70 in the gastric mucosa of partially sleep-deprived rats

BACKGROUND

Previous findings have demonstrated increased expression of inducible heat shock protein 70 (iHSP70) in the gastric mucosa of rats exposed to partial sleep deprived (PSD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional role of iHSP70 and its relationship with acid secretion in the stomachs of PSD animals.

METHODS

A slowly rotating drum was used to induce PSD in male Sprague-Dawley rats with or without omeprazole treatment. Gastric mucosal samples were harvested for iHSP70 mRNA and protein analysis with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Enzyme immunoassay was used to determine plasma gastrin level and gastric acidity was measured by titration. The modulating effect of PSD on 0.6 M hydrochloric acid (HCl)-induced gastric damage was also evaluated.

RESULTS

PSD increased plasma gastrin, gastric acidity and expression of iHSP70, while significantly reducing HCl-induced gastric damage. Omeprazole administration decreased gastric acidity and reversed iHSP70 over-expression in PSD rats.

CONCLUSIONS

PSD increases gastric acidity which enhances expression of mucosal iHSP70. Over-expression of iHSP70 may be a protective homeostatic response of the stomach to stress induced by PSD and acid secretion.

Growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest effects of epigallocatechin gallate in the NBT-II bladder tumour cell line

OBJECTIVES

To examine the growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major constituent of green tea polyphenols, on the NBT-II bladder tumour cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest effects of EGCG were evaluated by the tetrazolium assay, flow cytometry and apoptotic DNA ladder tests. The cell cycle-related oncogene and protein expressions in NBT-II bladder tumour cells, when incubated with EGCG, were detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

EGCG inhibited growth of the NBT-II bladder tumour cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry showed a G0/G1 arrest in cells when cultured with EGCG at doses of 10, 20 or 40 micro mol/L for 48 or 72 h. The apoptotic DNA ladder test showed that EGCG at 10 micro mol/L induced early apoptosis after 48 h of incubation. A down-regulation of cyclin D1 was detected by RT-PCR when the cells were incubated with EGCG (20 micro mol/L for 48 h. EGCG also down-regulated protein expression of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein, in both a time- and dose-dependent manner, when detected by Western blot.

CONCLUSION

EGCG had growth inhibition and cell-cycle arrest effects in NBT-II bladder tumour cells by down-regulating the cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 and retinoblastoma protein machinery for regulating cell-cycle progression.

Expression and immunolocalization of heat shock proteins in the healing of gastric ulcers in rats

BACKGROUND

Heat shock proteins are induced when cells are subjected to noxious stimuli. They afford cytoprotection and increase the resistance of the tissue to damage. However, their roles in the healing of gastric ulcers have not been well established. In this study, the expression and immunolocalization of three heat shock proteins (HSPs); namely inducible HSP70 (iHSP70), HSP47, and HSP32 during ulcer healing were investigated in rats with gastric ulcer.

METHODS

Gastric ulcers (kissing ulcers) were induced by luminal application of acetic acid solution. Gastric tissue samples were obtained from the ulcer base, ulcer margin, and non-ulcerated area around the ulcer margin at different time intervals after ulcer induction. The protein levels and distributions of HSPs were analyzed with Western blotting and immunohistochemical methods, respectively.

RESULTS

It was found that all HSPs were expressed in normal, non-ulcerated, and gastric ulcer tissues. HSP32 was elevated during inflammation (1-8 days after ulcer induction), while HSP47 expression was exacerbated at the ulcer base and margin during ulcer healing (3-12 days). Decreased expression of iHSP70 was observed at the ulcer base immediately after ulcer induction, but returned to normal level by the end of the healing stage (8-12 days). Inducible HSP70 was found distributed in the gastric glands and injured tissues in the inflamed areas. Wide distribution of HSP47 was detected in granulation tissues and collagen producing cells, while HSP32 was localized in the gastric glands and inflammatory cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that iHSP70, HSP47, and HSP32 play different roles during ulcer healing. HSP32 seems to act as an inflammatory defensive factor, and HSP47 as a collagen-specific molecular chaperon contributing significantly to gastric ulcer healing. However, the role of iHSP70 in the ulcer healing process is still undefined.