Limonitum Ameliorates Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota

Diarrhoea is a common clinical condition; its pathogenesis is strongly associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Limonitum is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that exerts appreciable benefits regarding the amelioration of diarrhoea. However, the mechanism through which Limonitum ameliorates diarrhoea remains unclear. Here, the efficacy and underlying mechanism of Limonitum decoction (LD) regarding diarrhoea were explored from the aspect of gut microbiota. Castor oil (CO) was used to induce diarrhoea in mice, which were then used to evaluate the effects of LD regarding the timing of the first defecation, diarrhoea stool rate, degree of diarrhoea, diarrhoea score, intestinal propulsive rate, and weight of intestinal contents. The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric and valeric acids, were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology was applied to evaluate changes in the gut microbiota under exposure to LD. LD was found to effectively ameliorate the symptoms of diarrhoea, and the diversity and relative abundance of gut microbiota were restored to normal levels following LD treatment. Additionally, LD significantly restored the observed reductions in SCFAs. These results provide strong evidence that LD can sufficiently ameliorate diarrhoea in mice by regulating their gut microbiota. The findings presented here highlight that Limonitum may constitute a prospective remedy for diarrhoea.

MTA2 promotes the metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via EIF4E-Twist feedback loop

Metastasis‐associated protein 2 (MTA2) is frequently amplified in many types of cancers; however, the role and underlying molecular mechanism of MTA2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unknown. Here, we reported that MTA2 is highly expressed in ESCC tissue and cells, and is closely related to the malignant characteristics and poor prognosis of patients with ESCC. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we demonstrated that MTA2 significantly promoted ESCC growth, metastasis, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression. This integrative analysis combined with expression microarray showed that MTA2 could interact with eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (EIF4E), which positively regulates the expression of Twist, known as a master regulator of EMT. Moreover, the results of chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that MTA2 was recruited to the E‐cadherin promoter by Twist, which reduced the acetylation level of the promoter region and thus inhibited expression of E‐cadherin, and subsequently promoted the aggressive progression of ESCC. Collectively, our study provided novel evidence that MTA2 plays an aggressive role in ESCC metastasis by a novel EIF4E‐Twist positive feedback loop, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for the management of ESCC.

p-Hydroxylcinnamaldehyde from cochinchinamomordica seed reverses resistance to TRAIL in human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma via the activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Our previous studies have showed that p-Hydroxylcinnamaldehyde (CMSP) could induce the differentiation of ESCC cells via the cAMP-RhoA-MAPK signalling pathway, which suggests a new potential strategy for ESCC treatment. Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in several tumour cells by binding to the death receptors DR4 and DR5. However, TRAIL has little effect on oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells due to the loss of the receptors. The present study determined the effect of CMSP, the firstly found chemical constituent of Cochinchinamomordica seed (CMS), on TRAIL-induced apoptosis and its mechanism in ESCC cells.

METHODS

MTS assays were performed to examine the CMSP- and TRAIL-mediated inhibition of ESCC cell growth. Flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining assays were used to detect apoptosis in ESCC cells treated with CMSP combined with TRAIL. Western blotting was used to determine the effect of CMSP on the expression of p38, p-p38, DR4, DR5, Bid and caspase-3/8 in ESCC cells treated with CMSP combined with TRAIL. Additionally, immunodeficient Balb-c/null mouse model was used to determine the chemotherapeutic efficacy of CMSP and TRAIL against ESCC tumour xenograft growth in vivo.

RESULTS

We found that the combination of CMSP and TRAIL had a greater inhibitory effect on ESCC cell viability in vitro than CMSP or TRAIL alone. CMSP enhanced the TRAIL-induced apoptosis in ESCC cells by upregulating the expression of DR4 and DR5 via the p38 MAPK signalling pathway. Furthermore, the increased expression of DR4 and DR5 upon TRAIL-induced apoptosis in ESCC cells was mediated at least in part by subsequent caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation. Moreover, the in vivo model showed that tumour growth was significantly slower in CMSP and TRAIL combination-treated mice than in mice treated with CMSP or TRAIL alone.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our findings indicate that CMSP as an extract from TCM, might be as a potential sensitizer of TRAIL and thus provide a novel strategy for the clinical treatment of ESCC.

Antitumor Effect of Periplocin in TRAIL-Resistant gastric cancer cells via upregulation of death receptor through activating ERK1/2-EGR1 pathway

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the tumor necrosis factor family, induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells. However, gastric cancer (GC) cells are insensitive to TRAIL usually. In the previous study, we showed that Periplocin could induce apoptosis in GC cells via the activation of ERK1/2-EGR1 pathway. In the present study, we have shown that the combination of Periplocin and TRAIL had a greater inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cell viability in vitro and in vivo than Periplocin or TRAIL alone. Through upregulating the expression of DR4 and DR5 at transcriptional and protein levels, Periplocin enhanced the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to TRAIL. Furthermore, enhanced activity of ERK1/2-EGR1 pathway was responsible for upregulating of DR4 and DR5 uponPeriplocin treatment, subsequently reducing the expression of Mcl-1 and Bcl2 and activating Bid and caspase-3/8. Collectively, these data implied that Periplocin might act as a sensitizer of TRAIL and could be a potential strategy for the treatment of GC.

MiR-26a regulates vascular smooth muscle cell calcification in vitro through targeting CTGF

Vascular calcification is one of the most important factors for high morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-26a on vascular smooth muscle cell calcification. First, the VSMCs were induced by β-glycerol phosphate (β-GP) for 7d and 14d, and Alizarin Red S staining was performed to examine the mineralized nodule change; then real time RT-PCR and western blotting were performed to explore the expression of miR-26a, CTGF, OPG, RANKL and ALP in un-induced and β-GP-induced VSMCs; next, the VSMCs were transfected with miR-26a mimics, and Alizarin Red S staining was performed to examine the mineralized nodule change; finally, real time RT-PCR and western blotting were performed to explore the expression of miR-26a, CTGF, OPG, RANKL and ALP in un-transfected and miR-26a mimics transfected VSMCs. After β-GP treatment, β-GP promoted clear mineralized nodule changes, and miR-26a and OPG expression were significantly decreased and CTGF, RANKL and ALP expression were increased in VSMCs. Overexpression of miR-26a inhibited VSMCs calcification induced by β-GP, and regulated the expression of CTGF, OPG, RANKL and ALP. Our findings suggested that up-regulation of miR-26a before β-GP treatment inhibits VSMCs calcification through targeting CTGF (Fig. 4, Ref. 18).

C/D-Box Snord105b Promotes Tumorigenesis in Gastric Cancer via ALDOA/C-Myc Pathway

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) play an important role in carcinogenesis. In this study, we identified a C/D box snoRNA, snord105b, and further investigated the function and mechanism of the snord105b in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

The expression level of snord105b in GC tissures, sera and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell viability was assessed using MTS assay. Transwell and wound healing assay were performed to evaluate migration and invasion, and protein expression was examined by western blotting. ChIRP and MS analysis was used to seek for the special binding protein of snord105b.

RESULTS

The snord105b was upregulated and associated with tumor size, differentiation, and pathological stage in GC. Snord105b affected proliferation, migration and invasion in multiple GC cell lines. The oncoqenic activity of snord105b was also confirmed with in vivo data. Mechanistically, snord105b specifically bound to ALDOA and affected C-myc, which plays a key role in carcinogenesis and tumor development.

CONCLUSION

Snord105b appears to be a novel oncogene and is clinically and functionally involved in the development of GC. Targeting snord105b and its pathway may provide new biomarkers or potential treatments for patients with GC.

RAPD analysis of natural populations of Acanthopanax brachypus

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis is a new technology of molecular marking which has proved very powerful in detecting genetic diversity at the level of population. The genomic DNAs used in our experiment were extracted from fresh leaves taken from 59 individuals sampled from three natural populations in Yan An, Shanxi Province. Through more than 2,000 PCRs, deep-going RAPD analysis was carried out on DNA samples from 49 individuals. The percentage of polymorphic RAPD loci found in these three populations were respectively 27.2%, 18.6% and 5.4%; the average genetic distances within population, 0.055, 0.036 and 0.008; the average genetic distances between populations (I-II), (I-III) and (II-III), 0.105, 0.096 and 0.060. The genetic diversity of A. brachypus within and between populations was found, for the first time, to be rather poor, thus revealing innate factors as the cause contributing to its endangered status. In addition, our work also provides basic materials for elucidating the underlying cause of its endangerment and for its protection biology.

[Experimental study of anisodamine on therapeutic effect of pulmonary edema in rats]

The pulmonary edema (PE) induced by adrenaline (AD) is similar to neurogenic pulmonary edema. Anisodamine (654-2) showed an apparent therapeutic effect on it. The pulmonary wedge arterial pressure (PAWP), carotid arterial pressure (CAP) and blood gases were measured. It was found that in PE group, PAWP was increased to four-fold compared with those from before AD administration (from 0.98 +/- 0.24 to 4.04 +/- 0.53 kPa, mean +/- SD) rapidly. CAP was increased to one fold. The changes of PaO2,O2Sat and PaCO2 showed progressive hypoxia. The PaO2(kPa) was 11.0 +/- 1.3, 6.1 +/- 1.7, 4.4 +/- 1.9 and 3.8 +/- 1.9, PaCO2(kPa) was 4.1 +/- 2.1, 5.4 +/- 0.8, 9.7 +/- 2.9 and 10.3 +/- 3.4, O2 Sat(%) was 95.6 +/- 16.0, 69.2 +/- 15.1, 48.9 +/- 22.0, and 33.7 +/- 25.9 in order before AD injection, 1, 5 min after AD injection and before death respectively. Blood pH value also decreased in apparent way. All of animal died within 15 min. While in 654-2 therapeutic group, the significant increased PAWP and CAP were decreased gradually to normal within 30 min. The abnormal blood gases and pH were approached to repair within 20 min. All of animals survived.

Usefulness of Tl-201 SPECT imaging in evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation in patients with previous myocardial infarction

Using short axis slices of Tl-201 myocardial SPECT images, total left ventricular (LV) mass, perfused LV mass, defect size, defect mass, ratio of total LV area to cavity area (T/C), ratio of radius of total LV area to radius of cavity area (TR/CR), and ratio of wall thickness to radius of cavity area (W/R) were obtained. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated using blood pool imaging studies. A total of 33 patients with old myocardial infarctions were studied. The patients were divided into group 1 (n = 16) with no history of heart failure, and group 2 (n = 17) with a history of heart failure. The LVEF (P less than 0.001), T/C (P less than 0.005), TR/CR (P less than 0.005) and W/R (P less than 0.001) were significantly lower, while the total LV mass (P less than 0.001) and perfused LV mass (P less than 0.01) were significantly higher in group 2. In the whole group of 33 patients, there was inverse linear correlation between the total LV mass and LVEF (r = -0.82), perfused LV mass and LVEF (r = -0.67), and defect mass and LVEF (r = -0.59). There was linear correlation between W/R and LVEF (r = 0.64). Nonlinear correlations were found between T/C and LVEF (r = 0.81) and TR/CR and LVEF (r = 0.80). Tl-201 myocardial SPECT imaging is useful for the evaluation of LV hypertrophy and cavity dilation in patients with previous myocardial infarction.