Antioxidant-Rich Dietary Intervention Improves Cardiometabolic Profiles and Arterial Stiffness in Elderly Koreans with Metabolic Syndrome

Purpose@#Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic metabolic diseases. This study investigated the effect of the antioxidant-rich dietary intervention on oxidative stress, metabolic parameters, and arterial stiffness in elderly Koreans with metabolic syndrome (MetS). @*Materials and Methods@#Thirty-one subjects with MetS were enrolled and randomly divided into dietary intervention group and control group. Subjects in the intervention group received three meal boxes prepared with antioxidant-rich ingredients every day for 4 weeks, and subjects in the control group maintained their usual diets. Anthropometric and various biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and MetS were assessed. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and fat measurement using computed tomography were also conducted before and after 4 weeks. @*Results@#There were significant differences in waist circumference, visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio, lipid peroxidation, oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid parameters, advanced glycation end products, and baPWV between before and after the study in the experimental group (all p<0.05). Significant inter-group differences were observed between the experimental and control group in terms of the differences in body mass index, waist circumference, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, protein carboxylation, lipid peroxidation, oxLDL, blood pressure, lipid parameters, and baPWV between before and after the study (all p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#Antioxidant-rich dietary intervention for a 4-week period ameliorated the state of oxidative stress and improved the components of MetS including central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and arterial stiffness in elderly Koreans with MetS.

Triglyceride Glucose Index Is Superior to the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance for Predicting Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Korean Adults

BACKGROUND: Recently, the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been considered a surrogate marker of insulin resistance which is a well-known pathogenic factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between the TyG index and NAFLD. Thus, we investigated the relationship between the TyG index and NAFLD and the effectiveness of the TyG index compared with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in identifying NAFLD in Korean adults. METHODS: Participants of 4,986 who underwent ultrasonography in a health promotion center were enrolled. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL)×fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], and HOMA-IR was estimated. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in metabolic parameters among the quartiles of the TyG index. The prevalence of NAFLD significantly increased with increment in the TyG index. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, a logistic regression analysis was performed. When the highest and lowest quartiles of the TyG index and HOMA-IR were compared, the odds ratios for the prevalence of NAFLD were 2.94 and 1.93 (95% confidence interval, 2.32 to 3.72 and 1.43 to 2.61; both P for trend <0.01), respectively. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the TyG index was superior to HOMA-IR in predicting NAFLD. CONCLUSION: The TyG index and prevalence of NAFLD were significantly related and the TyG index was superior to HOMA-IR in predicting NAFLD in Korean adults.

Evaluation of recombinant adenovirus-mediated gene delivery for expression of tracer genes in catecholaminergic neurons / 대한해부학회지

Selective labeling of small populations of neurons of a given phenotype for conventional neuronal tracing is difficult because tracers can be taken up by all neurons at the injection site, resulting in nonspecific labeling of unrelated pathways. To overcome these problems, genetic approaches have been developed that introduce tracer proteins as transgenes under the control of cell-type-specific promoter elements for visualization of specific neuronal pathways. The aim of this study was to explore the use of tracer gene expression for neuroanatomical tracing to chart the complex interconnections of the central nervous system. Genetic tracing methods allow for expression of tracer molecules using cell-type-specific promoters to facilitate neuronal tracing. In this study, the rat tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter and an adenoviral delivery system were used to express tracers specifically in dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons. Region-specific expression of the transgenes was then analyzed. Initially, we characterized cell-type-specific expression of GFP or RFP in cultured cell lines. We then injected an adenovirus carrying the tracer transgene into several brain regions using a stereotaxic apparatus. Three days after injection, strong GFP expression was observed in the injected site of the brain. RFP and WGA were expressed in a cell-type-specific manner in the cerebellum, locus coeruleus, and ventral tegmental regions. Our results demonstrate that selective tracing of catecholaminergic neuronal circuits is possible in the rat brain using the TH promoter and adenoviral expression.

Knowledge of human papillomavirus infection and acceptability of vaccination among adult women in Korea / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The HPV vaccination target adolescents, and may be influenced by opinion of parents and other family member. For implementation of HPV vaccine, we measured knowledge of HPV infection and acceptability of vaccination among adults in Korea. METHODS: From August 2006 to November 2007, we provided a written questionnaire to females (above 19 years- olds) who visited Il-sin Christian hospital for prenatal care or gynecological examination. The questionnaire was built using elements of The Health Belief Model. We measured (1) awareness of HPV (2) perceived susceptibility (3) perceived seriousness (4) perceived benefit of vaccination (5) perceived barriers (6) cues to action. RESULTS: Total 975 females answered the questionnaire, and the mean age was 40 years. Only 23.8% knew the fact cervical cancer is related to HPV infection. 78.3% of respondents were willing to accept HPV vaccination after they understood HPV vaccination can prevent cervical cancer. Financial burden and possible side effect were barriers to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Despite of low awareness of HPV infection, most (78.3%) adults favored having HPV vaccination. But the vaccine was more likely to be accepted if it is recommended by a physician and reasonably priced.

Association Analyses of beta3AR Trp64Arg and UCP-2 -866G/A Polymorphisms with Body Mass Index in Korean / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in Western society as well as in Korea. Obesity results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an attempt to investigate the association of obesity with its candidate genes, beta3 adrenergic receptor (beta3AR) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), we analyzed polymorphisms of beta3AR Trp64Arg and UCP2 -866G/A by PCR-RFLP analysis and the obesity-related phenotypes, including body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose concentration, and plasma lipid profiles in 750 subjects. RESULTS: The Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta3AR gene was not statistically associated with the BMI. The UCP2 -866G/A polymorphism was significantly higher in obese than in non-obese subjects (P<0.05). However, the UCP2 -866A/A polymorphism was higher in the non-obese subjects. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the UCP2 -866G/A polymorphism might be more useful for the prediction of obesity and obesity-associated diseases in Korean patients than the beta3AR Trp64Arg polymorphism.

A successful twin pregnancy after conservative therapy of endometrial cancer / 대한산부인과학회지

Endometrial cancer is increasing in South Korea. In young women, endometrial cancer can be treated by progestins for preserving fertility. We experienced a successful case of twin pregnancy after conservative therapy of endometrial cancer with Megestrol acetate. Ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination was done. A brief review of related literature was done.

Apoptotic Effect of the Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor Celecoxib on Human Breast Cancer MDA-MB 468 Cells / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose: Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. The inducible form, COX-2, is induced by such proinflammatory and mitogenic stimuli as cytokines and growth factors, and it's expressed in inflamed tissues as well as neoplastic tissues. In addition, COX-2 inhibitors have been tried as chemopreventive agents in tumors. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of COX-2 inhibitors in human breast cancer, the effects of celecoxib, a well-known selective COX-2 inhibitor, on cell death in human breast MDA-MB-468 cancer cells were investigated. METHODS: Cell viability assay, PI staining, DNA fragmentation assay and western blot analysis were performed after treatment with celecoxib. RESULTS: Cell survival, as measured by MTT assay, was decreased by the treatment with celecoxib in a dose-dependent manner (IC50=50 micrometer). The sub-G1 fractions, analyzed by flow cytometry, and the DNA fragmentations were increased in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that celecoxib induces apoptotic cell death in MDA-MB-468 cells. Celecoxib resulted in a decrease in the levels of COX-2 protein in a time-depended and dose-dependent manner. To investigate the mechanisms of celecoxib-induced apotosis, the activation of MAPK, NF-kB and Akt was analyzed by Western blotting. The treatment with celecoxib induces an increase in JNK phosphorylation and IkB degradation and a decrease in Akt phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that celecoxib-induced apoptosis is mediated through the signal transduction pathways associated with JNK, Akt and NF-kB in human breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells.

Regulation of hepatocyte growth factor-mediated urokinase plasminogen activator secretion by MEK/ERK activation in human stomach cancer cell lines

The regulatory mechanisms for the proliferation and the particular invasive phenotypes of stomach cancers are not still fully understood. Up-regulations of hepatocytes growth factor (HGF), its receptor (c-Met), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) are correlated with the development and metastasis of cancers. In order to investigate roles of HGF/c-Met signaling in tumor progression and metastasis in stomach cancers, we determined effects of a specific MEK1 inhibitor (PD098059) and a p38 kinase inhibitor (SB203580) on HGF-mediated cell proliferation and uPA expression in stomach cancer cell lines (NUGC-3 and MKN-28). HGF treatment induced the phosphorylations of ERK and p38 kinase in time- and dose- dependent manners. Pre-treatment with PD098059 reduced HGF-mediated cell proliferation and uPA secretion. In contrast, SB203580 pre-treatment enhanced cell proliferation and uPA secretion due to induction of ERK phosphorylation. Stable expression of dominant negative-MEK1 in NUGC-3 cells showed a decrease in HGF-mediated uPA secretion. These results suggest that interaction of a MEK/ERK and a p38 kinase might play an important role in proliferation and invasiveness of stomach cancer cells.

The comparison of Conventional Pap smears with Liquid Pap smears (PrepStain(TM) System) in Cervical Pap smears / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To Compare the conventional Pap smear with the Liquid Pap smear in screening of cervical cancer and to evaluate the correspondence of their biopsy results. METHODS: From August 1, 2003 to July 31, 2005, the conventional Pap smears and the Liquid Pap smears were performed in 12,757 and 6,870 women, respectively. The results of 252 conventional Pap smear and 227 Liquid Pap smear were confirmed by colposcopic biopsy and evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictability, negative predictability and false negativity. RESULTS: In Liquid Pap smear, there were higher proportions of ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL and CIS. And the ratio of ASCUS/LSIL were 3.32 and 3.04 in conventional Pap smear and Liquid Pap smear respectively. The conventional Pap smear showed sensitivity 71.8%, specificity 93.9%, positive predictability 82.3%, negative predictability 89.4%, and false negativity 28.2%, while the Liquid Pap smear showed higher sensitivity (72.6%), specificity (96.1%), and positive predictability (89.8%), and lower negative predictability (88.0%), and false negativity (27.4%). The positive predictability was significantly higher (95% C.I.: 1.3-13.7). CONCLUSION: The positive predictability was significantly improved in the Liquid Pap smear. Therefore, the Liquid Pap smear is a more useful method in screening of cervical cancer.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Signaling in Regulating Urokinase Plasminogen Activator in Human Stomach Cancer: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Human Stomach Cancer

BACKGROUND: Up-regulation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), its transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor (c-Met), and urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA), is associated with the development and metastasis of various types of cancers. However, the mechanisms by which HGF/c-Met signaling mediates cancer progression and metastasis are unclear. METHODS: We investigated the roles of HGF/c-Met in tumor progression and metastasis in NUGC-3 and MKN-28 stomach cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Treatment with HGF increased c-Met phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, as well as increasing cell proliferation. HGF treatment also increased the protein level and the activity of uPA in NUGC-3 and MKN-28 cells. A monoclonal antibody against human uPA receptor (uPAR), mAb 3936, inhibited HGF-mediated tumor cell invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Down-regulation of uPA using uPA-shRNA induced a decrease in in vitro cell invasion in NUGC-3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NUGC-3 and MKN-28 cells express functional c-Met, which may provide a therapeutic target for interfering with metastases of cancer cells by inhibiting uPA and uPAR-mediated proteolysis.

Association of anti-obesity activity of N-acetylcysteine with metallothionein-II down-regulation

People with upper body or visceral obesity have a much higher risk of morbidity and mortality from obesity-related metabolic disorders than those with lower body obesity. In an attempt to develop therapeutic strategies targeting visceral obesity, depot- specific differences in the expression of genes in omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues were investigated by DNA array technology, and their roles in adipocyte differentiation were further examined. We found that levels of metallothionein-II (MT-II) mRNA and protein expression were higher in omental than in subcutaneous adipose tissues. The study demonstrates that MT-II may play an important role in adipocyte differentiation of 3T3L1 preadipocytes, and that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3L1 cells by repressing MT-II in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the intraperitoneal administration of NAC to rats and mice resulted in a reduction of body weights, and a marked reduction in visceral fat tissues. These results suggest that MT-II plays important roles in adipogenesis, and that NAC may be useful as an anti-obesity drug or supplement.

Anthropometric Study for Atlas According to Standardizd Korean Skeleton (2)-Sacrum, Hip Bone, and Lower Limb / 체질인류학회지

Current anatomy education in Korea has been dependent upon foreign textbooks and atlas. Various models and medical devices commonly used in Korea were imported from overseas. Now, it is necessary to design, produce and supply medical education, operative tools and treatment supportive devices customized to Korean human body and constitution. Accordingly, this is the time to assemble and deliver medical data to Korean population. Indivicess from the measurement for various types of bones were calculated, and the results were compared with data from foreign atlas and pictures. Individual drawings of bones from sacrum, hip bone and lower limb were made by using parameters we calculated, thus the atlas of Korean skeleton was constructed from artistic anatomical point of view. As a result, there were significant differences between Korean skeletons and the medical drawings from the oversea edition, and also we found numerous exaggerated and false dimensions without actual measurement. In the present study, we primarily focused on building musculoskeletal system of Korea population and set our goal as utilizing its graphic data for medical education in Korea. The present study would be the first study preparing theoretical foundations of Korean skeletal graphic system based on Korean body shape by comparison with other ethnic groups and foreign graphical models. Simultaneously, we conducted practical construction of the skeletal atlas by employing Korean standard measure data.

Arsenic Trioxide Induces A poptosis in Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma HT-29 Cells Through ROS / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Treatment with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) results in a wide range of cellular effects that includes induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell growth, promotion or inhibition of cellular differentiation, and inhibition of angiogenesis through a variety of mechanisms. The mechanisms of As2O3-induced cell death have been mainly studied in hematological cancers, and those mechanisms in solid cancers have yet to be clearly defined. In this study, the mechanisms by which As2O3 induces apoptosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine the levels of apoptosis, HT-29 cells were treated with As2O3 and then we measured the percentage of Annexin V binding cells, the amount of ROS production and the mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot analysis was performe to identify the activated caspases after As2O3 exposure, and we compared the possible target molecules of apoptosis. As2O3 treatment induced the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase of ROS, as well as activation of caspase-3, -7, -9 and -10. RESULTS: As2O3 induced apoptosis via the production of reactive oxygen species and the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. As2O3 induced the activation of caspase-3, -7, -9 and -10. Furthermore, As2O3 treatment downregulates the Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 expressions, and the release of cytochrome c and an apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Pretreating the HT-29 cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, which is a thiol-containing antioxidant, inhibited the As2O3- Induced Apoptosis and Caspase Activation. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by As2O3 might play an important role in the regulation of As2O3-induced apoptosis. This cytotoxicity is mediated through a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signal pathway in HT-29 cells.

The Review of Cervical Conization For Twelve Years / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of cold knife conization in the diagnosis and management of cervical neoplasia. METHODS: Cold knife conization was performed in total 163 patients from January 1992 to December 2003. The results of PAP smear and colposcopy-directed biopsy were compared with the pathologic diagnosis of conization. And we evaluated the rate of positive margin and the presence of residual lesion. And then, we reviewed the pregnancy outcome after conization. RESULTS: The rate of agreement between PAP cytology and conization was 45.4%, and the rate of agreement between colposcopy-directed biopsy and conization was 65.6%. Hysterectomy was done in 102 patients (62.6%). The positive rate of resection margin was 19.6%. The incidence of residual lesion after conization was 31.2% in margin (+) and 1.4% in margin (-). We evaluated 7 cases of pregnancy after conization. CONCLUSION: Cervical conization as surgical treatment was effective in cervical neoplasia patients, especially young patients, with continuous follow-up.

Profile of Gene Expression Changes During Doxorubicin Induced Apoptosis of Saos-2 / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin has proved to be a useful chemotherapeutic agent especially for osteogenic sarcoma. It induces cancer cell death via apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To explore and analyze the changes of gene expression during doxorubicin induced apoptosis on human osteogenic sarcoma, Saos-2 cell, cDNA microarray was performed. After treatment with doxorubicin, total RNA was purified and expressed genes were investigated with a 17k human cDNA microarray. RESULTS: For analysis of the cDNA microarray, the genes were filtered using the sum of the median value of Cy3 and Cy5 signal intensity of greater than 800. Expression of 264 genes was changed by more than 2 fold, and the expression of 35 genes was changed more than 3 fold after treatment with doxorubicin. The genes were primarily related to cell death, cell growth and maintenance, signal transduction, cellular component, transport, and metabolism. CONCLUSION: Treatment with doxorubicin induced expressional change of many genes. Some of the genes might be related with apoptosis directly or indirectly. Further study is now needed to characterize these genes.

Anthropometric Study for Atlas According to Standardized Korean Skeleton (1)-Skull, Upper Limb / 체질인류학회지

Current anatomy education in Korea has been dependent upon foreign textbooks and atlas. Various models and medical devices from overseas were imported and commonly used in Korea, Now, we need to provide our own literatures and graphic data based on Korean population for student education. It is necessary to design, produce and supply medical education, operative tools and treatment supportive devices customized to Korean human body and constitution. Accordingly, this is the time to assemble and deliver medical data to Korean population. In this study, we primarily focused on building musculoskeletal system of Korea population and set our goal as utilizing its graphic data for medical education in Korea. It is first study preparing theoretical foundations of Korean skeletal graphic system based on Korean body shape by comparison with other ethnic groups and foreign graphical models. Simultaneously, we conducted practical construction of the skeletal atlas by employing Korean standard measures. Parameters from the measurement for various types of bones were calculated, and the results were compared with data from foreign atlas and pictures. Individual drawings of bones from skull, upper extremity was made by using parameters we calculated, thus the atlas of Korean skeleton was constructed from artistic anatomical point of view. As a result, there were significant differences between Korean skeletons and the medical drawings from the oversea edition. Because many foreign drawings used data from Caucasians only and there were numerous exaggerated and false dimensions without actual measurement. In conclusion, the result of the study is expected to provide fundamental data for building anatomical atlas about Korean human body structure.

Implication of Egr-1 in trifluoperazine-induced growth inhibition in human U87MG glioma cells

The early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) is a tumor suppressor which plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Egr-1 has been shown to be down-regulated in many types of tumor tissues. Trifluoperazine (TFP), a phenothiazine class of antipsychotics, restored serum-induced Egr-1 expression in several cancer cell lines. We investigated the effect of Egr-1 expression on the TFP-induced inhibition of cell growth. Ectopic expression of Egr-1 enhanced the TFP-induced antiproliferative activity and downregulated cyclin D1 level in U87MG glioma cells. Our results suggest that antipsychotics TFP exhibits antiproliferative activity through up-regulation of Egr-1.

Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibits cell growth and cell cycle arrest via a prostaglandin E(2) independent pathway

Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide known for its interaction with the plasma membrane induces several events in cells including cell growth and anti-tumor activity. In this study, we have investigated the possible role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in cell growth arrest induced by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin in Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibited cell growth and arrested the cell cycle, and this cell cycle arrest reduced the population of cells in the S phase, and concomitantly reduced cyclin A and D expressions. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin in a dose- and time-dependent manner, also induced COX-2 expression, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis, and COX-2 promoter activity. Pretreatment of cells with NS398, a COX-2 specific inhibitor completely blocked PGE(2) synthesis induced by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, however inhibition on cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest was not effected, suggesting non-association of COX-2 in the cell cycle arrest. These results suggest that methyl-beta-cyclodextrin induced cell growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in Raw264.7 cells may be mediated by cyclin A and D1 expression.

Pregnancy Outcome after Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone of Cervix / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine whether large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) affects the outcome of pregnancy after 20 weeks gestation. METHODS: In a retrospective case control study 20 women who had undergone large loop excision of the transformation zone and were subsequently delivered at Ilsin Christian Hospital were identified between 1991 and 2003. 40 controls were identified and matched for age and parity from women delivered immediately before and after index cases. Maternal factors were analyzed such as pregnancy gestation, use of oxytocin, analgesia, whether labor was induced, mode of delivery, length of labor, estimated blood loss and birth weight of previous delivery. Perinatal outcome measured fetal weight and admission to the neonatal unit. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the women who had undergone LLETZ and the controls except women delivered after LLETZ had increased rate of emergency cesarean section and amount of blood loss. CONCLUSION: Previous studies investigating pregnancy outcome after LLETZ have been generally reassuring and this study also have no difference. However, in this study women who were delivered after LLETZ had slight increased rate of emergency cesarean section, this may be related to adverse obstetrical history (recurrent abortion, infertility etc.). However socioepidemiological factors were not controlled and the small number of case groups were included, so larger controlled studies will be necessary to confirm this findings.

Differential Sensitivity of Taxol-induced Apoptosis in U2OS and SaOS2 Osteogenic Sarcoma Cells / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Taxol (Paclitaxel) is a new generation of chemotherapeutic drug proven to be effective in the treatment of many cancers. In this study, to further demonstrate the differential effect of the tumor suppressor gene, p53, on the Taxol-induced apoptosis in osteogenic sarcoma cell lines, we used p53-defected SaOS2 cells and wild type p53-expressed U2OS cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell viability was measured by the XTT assay. To examine whether the differential expressions of p53, in U2OS and SaOS2 cells, were associated with Taxol-induced apoptosis, DNA fragmentation assays were performed on both cytosolic and genomic DNA. Since the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is primarily responsible for apoptosis, the cleavage of PARP, and the expression of cyclin B1, polo-like kinase, Bax, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2 in U2OS and SaOS2 cells were compared by Western blot analyses. RESULTS: The cell viability of the p53-defected SaOS2 cells was markedly decreased with Taxol treatment. Whereas, the cell viabilities due to 6-mercaptopurine and adriamycin were no different between the U2OS and SaOS2 cells. Treatment with Taxol induced a ladder- like pattern of DNA fragments, which is a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis, consisting of multiples of approximately 180-200 base pairs, in a dose-dependent manner in the SaOS2 cells, but insignificantly with the U2OS cells. When the cells were treated with Taxol, the 89 kDa cleavage product of PARP clearly appeared as a function of time in the SaOS2 cells, but not in the U2OS cells. The Taxol-induced apoptosis in p53 defected-osteogenic sarcoma cells was associated with the PARP cleavage as a result of the increased activity of caspase 3, and the high expressions of cyclin B1 and PLK. Bax, as a proapoptotic factor, was increased in the SaOS2cells, but the Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 were decreased when the cells were exposed to 10miceoM Taxol. CONCLUSION: From these results, it was concluded that p53-defected SaOS2 cells are much more sensitive to Taxol-induced apoptosis than p53-expressed U2OS cells.