Efficacy of stem cell-based therapies for colistin-induced nephrotoxicity

The increase in infections with multidrug resistant bacteria has forced to return to the use of colistin, antibiotic with known nephrotoxicity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being extensively investigated for their potential in regenerative medicine. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective mechanisms of the MSCs against kidney injury induced by colistin. Forty adult female albino rats were randomly classified into 4 equal groups; the control group, the MSC-treated group (a single dose of 1 ×10⁶ /ml MSCs through the tail vein), the colistin-treated group (36 mg/kg/day colistin was given for 7 days), and the both colistin and MSC group (36 mg/kg/day colistin and 1 ×10⁶ /ml MSCs). Main outcome measures were histopathological alterations, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and immunohistological autophagy evaluation. MSC repressed the progression of colistin-induced kidney injury as evidenced by the improvement of histopathological alterations and the substantial increase MDA, and decrease SOD and CAT in serum levels. Moreover, MSC resulted in a profound reduction in oxidative stress as manifested by decreased MDA and increased SOD in serum. Notably, MSC suppressed colistin-induced autophagy; it reduced renal levels of Beclin-1, P62 and LC3A/B. Furthermore, MSC decreased renal levels of eNOS. Lastly, MSC efficiently decreased expression of the TUNEL positive cell number. MSC confers protection against colistin-induced kidney injury by alleviating oxidative stress, nitric oxide synthase besides modulating reducing autophagy and apoptosis.     

Anti-Oxidant,Anti-Hemolytic Effects of Crataegus aronia Leaves and Its Anti- Proliferative Effect Enhance Cisplatin Cytotoxicity in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

Objective: For Arabian traditional medicine, Crataegus aronia syn. Azarolus (L) Bosc. ex DC (Rosaceae) is widely used to treat diabetes, sexual weakness, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The anti-cancerous and anti-hemolysis effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant have never been investigated before. The present study aims to evaluate the biological activities of the hydroalcoholic extract of Crataegus aronia leaves in combination with cisplatin, one of the most widely employed chemotherapeutics, on A549 human lung cancer cell line. Methods: The anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activities of leaves, fruits, seeds of C. aronia were investigated by DPPH method and MTT assay; respectively. Cell migration activity was investigated by wound healing and by cell aggregation assays. The effect of C. aronia in inducing cell cycle arrest along with activating cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blot assays, respectively. Results: Our results showed that C. aronia leaves (C. aronia L.) had the highest anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activities. The leaves extract was potent against hemolysis of the human erythrocytes and showed elevated decrease in migration by reducing wound healing migration and by increasing cell aggregation. Finally, C. aronia L. treatment exhibited apoptotic activity on A549 cells by the down-regulation of PARP-1, caspase-3 and Bcl-2 proteins and by increasing the percentage of A549 cells in sub G0 cell cycle. Moreover, the co-treatment of C. aronia L. and cisplatin remarkably sensitised A549 cells to cisplatin. Conclusion: The results suggested that C. aronia L. could be used as a potential treatment against human lung cancer exhibiting minimal side effects on human health.     

Evaluation of anticancer effects of a pharmaceutically viable extract of a traditional polyherbal mixture against non-small-cell lung cancer cells

ObjectiveThe present work tested organic solvents to prepare an extract with anticancer properties from a polyherbal mixture containing Nigella sativa (seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (roots) and Smilax glabra (rhizomes). We evaluate anticancer effects in non-small-cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H292), and discuss optimization for pharmaceutical use in the context of efficacy, yield and toxicity.MethodsUsing different organic solvents, six extracts were prepared from the polyherbal mixture. Based on the cytotoxic effects of these extracts on NCI-H292 cells and normal lung cells (MRC-5), as evaluated by the sulphorhodamine B assay, the total ethyl acetate (T-EA) extract was selected for further analysis. The possible anticancer mechanisms were assessed by evaluating the extract’s effects on apoptosis (through fluorescent microscopic analysis, DNA fragmentation analysis, caspase 3/7 assay and analysis of expression levels of apoptosis-related genes p53, Bax, survivin, Hsp70 and Hsp90), colony formation and antioxidant activity.ResultsThe extract had cytotoxic effects against NCI-H292 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Significant antioxidant activity and inhibition of colony formation were also observed. The expression level of caspase 3/7 significantly (P < 0.001) increased in NCI-H292 cells treated with 50 μg/mL of the extract. The same dosage led to a significant increase in expression levels of Bax and p53 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively), accompanied by a significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in survivin, Hsp70 and Hsp90.ConclusionT-EA extract of the above polyherbal mixture has cytotoxicity against NCI-H292 cells via induction of apoptosis, antioxidant effects and inhibition of colony formation.     

沉默信息调节因子过表达或谷氨酰胺剥夺对肾透明细胞癌细胞凋亡、增殖的影响

背景与目的：肾透明细胞癌（clear cell renal cell carcinoma，ccRCC）是最常见的肾癌类型，它与代谢密切相关。探讨沉默信息调节因子4（silent information regulator 4，SIRT4）过表达或谷氨酰胺（glutamine，Gln）剥夺对ccRCC细胞增殖、凋亡的影响。方法：慢病毒构建SIRT4和突变体H161Y过表达的Caki-2细胞株，利用无Gln的培养基来构建Gln剥夺模型，并通过体外增殖活力实验［细胞计数试剂盒-8（cell counting kit-8，CCK-8）］和克隆形成实验来分析两者对Caki-2细胞增殖和生长能力的影响；利用DCFH-DA荧光探针检测细胞内活性氧自由基（reactive oxygen species，ROS）水平进而评估Gln代谢对细胞ROS含量的影响；进一步通过线粒体膜电位检测、凋亡检测和蛋白质印迹法（Western blot）检测凋亡相关分子，分析SIRT4过表达以及Gln剥夺对Caki-2细胞凋亡的影响。结果：过表达SIRT4可抑制Gln代谢从而抑制Caki-2细胞增殖，另外还原性物质还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸（reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phostate，NADPH）的生成减少能够增加细胞内ROS含量，促进细胞凋亡。而Gln剥夺抑制细胞增殖和促进细胞凋亡的效果均比过表达SIRT4明显，但长期缺乏Gln将导致细胞无法生长。结论：无论是过表达SIRT4还是Gln剥夺均能抑制ccRCC细胞增殖，促进凋亡。     

微小RNA-148a-3p靶向调控MAP3K9表达及对胃癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的 探讨微小RNA-148a-3p（miR-148a-3p）对丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激酶激酶9（MAP3K9）的靶向调控作用及对胃癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。方法 向对数生长期胃癌细胞株MGC-803转染miR-148a-3p模拟物（mimics组）和阴性对照（NC组），以未转染的MGC-803细胞为对照组；采用实时定量PCR（QPCR）检测各组miR-148a-3p水平以评价转染效率，MTT法检测各组细胞增殖能力，流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡情况，分别采用QPCR和Western blotting检测Bcl-2、Bax、caspase-3及MAP3K9 mRNA和蛋白水平，同时采用双荧光素酶报告实验验证miR-148a-3p与MAP3K9的靶向作用关系。结果 QPCR结果显示，对照组、NC组和mimics组的miR-148a-3p水平分别为1.021±0.123、1.087±0.196和2.854±0.368，与对照组和NC组比较，mimics组的miR-148a-3p水平升高（P＜0.05）。mimics组MGC-803细胞的增殖活力较其余两组减弱（P＜0.05）。mimics组MGC-803细胞凋亡率为（15.2±1.6）％，高于对照组的（3.5±0.9％）％和NC组的（4.5±1.1）％，差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。与对照组和NC组比较，mimics组的MAP3K9和Bcl-2的mRNA和蛋白水平均下调，而Bax和caspase-3的mRNA和蛋白水平均上调（P＜0.05）；双荧光素酶报告实验证实MAP3K9是miR-148a-3p的直接作用靶点。结论 MiR-148a-3p可抑制胃癌细胞MGC-803的增殖并诱导其凋亡，可能通过靶向MAP3K9来发挥抑癌作用，调控miR-148a-3p／MAP3K9轴在胃癌防治中有一定应用前景。     

阿帕替尼联合曲妥珠单抗对胃癌细胞的协同增敏作用

目的观察阿帕替尼联合曲妥珠单抗杀伤胃癌NCI-N87细胞的协同增敏作用并探讨可能作用机制。方法CCK-8法检测空白对照组、曲妥珠单抗组(0.1、1、10μg/ml)、阿帕替尼组(1μmol/L)及曲妥珠单抗(0.1、1、10μg/ml)+阿帕替尼(1μmol/L)组对NCI-N87细胞的增殖抑制作用,流式细胞术检测NCI-N87细胞凋亡,Western blotting检测HER-2、VEGFR2、Bax、Bcl-2蛋白表达。结果CCK-8检测提示曲妥珠单抗、阿帕替尼能够抑制NCI-N87细胞增殖,在一定浓度范围内作用呈浓度依赖性和时间依赖性(P<0.01);q值计算提示曲妥珠单抗与阿帕替尼具有协同抑制NCI-N87细胞增殖的作用。流式细胞术检测显示联合组NCI-N87胃癌细胞凋亡较单药组明显升高(P<0.05),其中空白对照组、阿帕替尼组(1μmol/L)、曲妥珠单抗(0.1μg/ml)组及曲妥珠单抗(0.1μg/ml)+阿帕替尼(1μmol/L)组的凋亡率分别为(3.0±1.28)%、(5.8±1.63)%、(8.0±3.92)%和(21.6±6.85)%。曲妥珠单抗+阿帕替尼组与空白对照组、曲妥珠单抗及阿帕替尼单药组比较,HER-2蛋白表达显著下调(P<0.05);曲妥珠单抗+阿帕替尼组与空白对照组比较,Bcl-2蛋白表达、Bcl-2/Bax比值明显降低(P<0.01)。结论阿帕替尼联合曲妥珠单抗可能通过下调HER-2蛋白及调控凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax的表达,协同抑制NCI-N87细胞增殖和促进细胞凋亡。     

乙酰紫草素通过PI3K/Akt信号通路诱导前列腺癌PC-3细胞凋亡的研究

目的：研究乙酰紫草素（ASK）对人前列腺癌PC-3细胞的诱导凋亡作用及相关的分子机制。方法：利用CCK-8实验检测ASK对体外培养PC-3细胞的杀伤作用；利用流式细胞术实验检测ASK处理后PC-3细胞凋亡情况；利用Western blotting检测凋亡蛋白和AKT信号通路蛋白的表达。结果：CCK-8实验证明ASK能够以时间和浓度依赖性抑制前列腺癌PC-3细胞的增殖；流式细胞术实验证明ASK能够诱导人前列腺癌PC-3细胞线粒体依赖性凋亡；Western blotting证明ASK能够有效抑制前列腺癌PC-3细胞中的AKT信号通路。结论：ASK能够有效抑制人前列腺癌PC-3细胞增殖，并能够有效诱导PC-3细胞发生线粒体依赖性凋亡，其机制可能是通过调控PI3K/Akt信号通路来实现，说明ASK具有一定的抗前列腺癌的潜力。     

Melatonin Treatment Ameliorates Hyperhomocysteinemia-Induced Impairment of Erectile Function in a Rat Model

BackgroundHyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been reported to be strongly correlated with the occurrence of erectile dysfunction (ED), but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Moreover, whether melatonin could be a potential treatment of HHcy-induced ED needs to be elucidated.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on HHcy-induced ED and the potential mechanisms via modulating oxidative stress and apoptosis.MethodsThe Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of HHcy was induced by 7% methionine (Met)-rich diets. 36 male SD rats were randomly distributed into 3 groups (n = 12 per group): control group, 7% Met group, and 7% Met + melatonin (Mel; 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) treatment group. After 4 weeks, the erectile function of all rats was evaluated by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Histologic and molecular alterations of the corpus cavernosum were also analyzed by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and polymerase chain reaction.OutcomesHHcy-induced ED rat models were successfully established, and Mel could preserve erectile function mainly through inhibiting oxidative stress via the Erk1/2/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and suppression of apoptosis.ResultsErectile function was significantly reduced in the rats with HHcy compared with that in the control group and was ameliorated in the HHcy rats treated with Mel. Compared with the control group, the rats in the HHcy group showed the following: (1) higher levels of total plasma homocysteine; (2) fewer neuronal nitric oxide synthase-positive cells in the corpus cavernous; (3) higher levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, higher expression levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, and lower activities of superoxide dismutase, indicating an overactivated oxidative stress; (4) lower expression levels of Erk1/2/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway components; and (5) higher levels of apoptosis, as determined by the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase 3. Mel treatment improved the erectile response, as well as histologic and molecular alterations.Clinical TranslationOur study on a rodent model of HHcy provided evidence that Mel could be a potential therapeutic method for HHcy-related ED.ConclusionsMel treatment improves erectile function in rats with HHcy probably by potential antioxidative stress activity. This finding provides evidence for a potential new therapy for HHcy-induced ED.Tang Z, Song J, Yu, Z, et al. Melatonin Treatment Ameliorates Hyperhomocysteinemia-Induced Impairment of Erectile Function in a Rat Model. J Sex Med 2019;16:1506–1517.     

活血解毒方对缺氧/复氧所致心肌细胞凋亡的影响＊

目的 研究活血解毒方对缺氧/复氧（H/R）所致的心肌细胞凋亡的影响。方法 体外培养H9C2心肌细胞并分成正常对照组（Control组）、缺氧复氧组（H/R组）、H/R + 活血解毒中药组、LY294002组和活血解毒中药 + LY294002组，其中正常对照组给予DMEM培养基培养，缺氧复氧组给予缺氧4 h、复氧6 h处理，缺氧复氧 + 活血解毒中药组、LY294002组和活血解毒中药 + LY294002组分别给予活血解毒中药、LY294002、活血解毒中药配合LY294002预处理24 h，然后均给予缺氧4 h、复氧6 h处理。采用CCK8检测各组心肌细胞的存活率，流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡水平，电镜观察各组心肌细胞中线粒体、自噬体的变化，Western Blot检测各组细胞凋亡蛋白半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3（Caspase3）、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶3（Cleaved caspase3）、β-连环蛋白（β-Catenin）、p-p65、B淋巴细胞瘤-2（B-cell lymphoma-2，Bcl-2）蛋白的表达。结果 活血解毒方预处理显著增加H/R诱导的H9C2心肌细胞凋亡，降低凋亡相关蛋白Cleaved caspase3、β-Catenin、p-p65表达，增加Bcl-2表达。结论 活血解毒方可通过抑制细胞凋亡，降低缺氧/复氧所致的心肌细胞损伤，其作用机制可能与PI3K信号通路相关。