The adjuvant effects of Antrodia Camphorata extracts combined with anti-tumor agents on multidrug resistant human hepatoma cells

AIM OF THE STUDY: The objectives of this study were to investigate the adjuvant anti-tumor effects of Antrodia camphorate in human hepatoma cells (C3A and PLC/PRF/5) which are resistance to most anti-tumor agents, elucidate the possible regulation pathways, and measure the tumor growth and survival rate in xenograft-nude mice after combined with anti-tumor agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AC extracts were measured by using a phenol/sulfuric acid method as previously described. The in vitro cell proliferation assay of ACs and anti-tumor agents was tested on C3A and PLC/PRF/5 cell lines. The percentage of human hepatoma cells undergoing apoptosis and distributing in different phases of cell cycle were determined by Flow cytometric analysis. Western blot analysis for MDR-1 and apoptosis- related proteins. The measurements of tumor growth and survival analysis of hepatoma implanted nude mice treated with Antrodia camphorata extracts and anti-tumor agents alone or in combinations. RESULTS: We have found that Antrodia camphorata extracts, when combined with anti-tumor agents, showed adjuvant antiproliferative effects on hepatoma cells (in vitro) and on xenografted cells in tumor-implanted nude mice (in vivo), which then extended their median survival days. Furthermore, solid-state extracts of Antrodia camphorata (AC-SS) showed its adjuvant effects through the inhibition of MDR gene expressions and the pathway of COX-2- dependent inhibition of p-AKT, which ultimately resulted in the induction of apoptosis in hepatoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have found that Antrodia camphorata extract, when combined with anti-tumor agents, showed adjuvant antiproliferative effects on hepatoma cells (in vitro) and on xenografted cells in tumor-implanted nude mice (in vivo).     

Effects of TGFbeta1 and extracts from Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe on acute and chronic arthritis in rats

AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the pharmacological activities of deer antler acupuncture and TGF61538;1 on the acute and chronic phases of rheumatoid arthritis diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polyarthritis rats were administered with TGF61538;1 and water extract of deer antler acupunture (DAA), prepared from the pilose antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe. TGF61538; (0.1 to 2 61549;g/animal) and DAA (5-100 61549;g/kg animal) were initiated 1 day before an arthritogenic dose of streptococcal cell wall fragments to see the effects on the joint swelling and distortion during the acute phase and the chronic phase of the disease. Arthritic index suppression of rat arthritis model was examined by TGF61538; and DAA administrations. RESULTS: TGF61538;1 and DAA diminished the polyarthritis development in rats. TGF61538; and DAA eliminated the joint swelling and distortion observed during the acute phase and the chronic phase of the disease. The TGF61538; and DAA suppressed the arthritis progress when administration was begun after acute phase of arthritis. DISCUSSION: Consistent with the inhibition of inflammatory cell recruitment into the synovium, TGF61538;1 and DAA reversed the leukocytosis associated with the chronic phase of the arthritis, respectively.     

Shikonin derivatives inhibited LPS-induced NOS in RAW 264.7 cells via downregulation of MAPK/NF-kappaB signaling

AIM OF THE STUDY: Shikonin/alkannin (SA) derivatives, analogs of naphthoquinone pigments, are the major components of root extracts of the Chinese medicinal herb (Lithospermum erythrorhizon; LE) and widely distributed in several folk medicines. In the present study, the effect and the underline molecular mechanism of shikonin derivatives isolated from root extracts of Lithospermum euchroma on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effects of five SA derivatives, including SA, acetylshikonin, beta,beta-dimethylacrylshikonin, 5,8-dihydroxy-1.4-naphthoquinone, and 1,4-naphthoquinone on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells were examined. RESULTS: Data suggested that SA derivatives inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE(2) production, and iNOS protein expression. RT-PCR analysis showed that SA derivatives diminished LPS-induced iNOS mRNA expression. Moreover, the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was concentration-dependently suppressed by SA derivatives. SA inhibited NF-kappaB activation by prevention of the degradation of inhibitory factor-kappaB and p65 level in nuclear fractions induced by LPS. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of SA derivatives might result from inhibition of iNOS protein expression through the downregulation of NF-kappaB activation via suppression of phosphorylation of ERK, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.     

CA19-9、CA125和CP2在卵巢黏液性肿瘤诊断和监测中的价值

目的探讨血清肿瘤标志物CA19-9、CA125及CP2在卵巢黏液性肿瘤诊断和监测中的价值。方法对北京大学人民医院1999年1月至2007年6月间收治的273例卵巢肿瘤患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,探讨血清肿瘤标志物CA19-9、CA125及CP2在50例卵巢黏液性肿瘤诊断和监测中的价值,并与223例卵巢非黏液性肿瘤进行比较。结果（1）卵巢黏液性肿瘤中,CA19-9的曲线下面积最大（为0．95）,其次是CA125（为0．90）;而卵巢非黏液肿瘤中,CA125和CP2的曲线下面积最大（均为0．90）。（2）卵巢黏液性肿瘤患者联合检测CA19-9和CA125时,其敏感度（93．8％）较单项检测（CA19-9和CA125分别为75．0％和66．7％）明显提高（P〈0．05）,而特异度（分别为86．1％、86．6％和90．2％）无明显变化（P〉0．05）。卵巢非黏液性肿瘤患者联合检测CA125和CP2时的敏感度（85．0％）,较CP2（70．6％）单项检测明显提高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;较CA125（80．7％）单项检测虽有提高,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;3者的特异度（分别为90．2％、88．5％和93．9％）比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。（3）82例卵巢恶性肿瘤术前血清肿瘤标志物阳性患者中。可行满意的肿瘤细胞减灭术患者[70％（57／82）]的血清肿瘤标志物于术后2个月内降为正常的百分率高于未能行满意肿瘤细胞减灭术者（分别为75％和28％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;且其术后血清肿瘤标志物再次上升的平均时间延长（分别为18．2和16．4个月）,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;复发率（分别为35％和56％）及死亡率（分别为14％和32％）降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。20例术前血清肿瘤标志物阴性患者均可行满意的肿瘤细胞减灭术,其中复发患者仅2例（10％）。（4）卵巢黏液性肿瘤患者术后复发时多为血清CA19-9水平上升,而卵巢非黏液性肿瘤术后复发时主要为血清CA125水平上升,部分患者血清CP2水平也上升。（5）术前血清肿瘤标志物阳性患者较阴性患者生存率明显下降,其中CA125（＋）与CA125（-）、CP2（＋）与CP2（-）患者间生存率比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;而CA19-9（＋）与CA19-9（-）患者间生存率比较,差异则无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论CA19-9是诊断卵巢黏液性肿瘤的敏感指标,与CA125联合检测可提高对卵巢黏液性肿瘤诊断的敏感度,并对术后监测有重要临床意义。CA125和CP2联合检测则对诊断卵巢非黏液肿瘤更敏感。     

A precarious pregnancy involving a patient with a large placental chorioangioma: a case report

Chorioangiomas are common placental neoplasms that are primarily asymptomatic, but the larger subtypes have a variable presentation and can result in severe pregnancy complications. We report a case of a pregnant patient who presented with a 10 x 12 x 10 cm placental chorioangioma at 32 weeks, despite an unremarkable ultrasound at 28 weeks. Since these more substantial chorioangiomas can induce fetal mortality, close surveillance with perinatology and neonatology consultation is necessary to enhance the probability of a favorable patient prognosis.