ABSTRACT
Objective To determine common molecular markers between endometriosis and ovarian cancer . Methods The specimens from 31 endometriosis patients who underwent laparoscopic excision , 28 other disease patients with normal oarium and 35 ovarian cancer patients who received the ovariectomy were collected. Expressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), estrogen receptor 1α(ER-1α), progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR) and aromatase (CYP19) were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Compared with those in normal oarium group, the mRNA levels of TGF-β1, VEGF, ER-1α, AR, CYP19 and COX-2 in endometriosis group were increased by 2.05 fold, 2.20 fold, 3.32 fold, 1 . 45 fold , 3 . 19 fold and 3 . 00 fold , respectively , and the mRNA level of PR was reduced by 69 % ( all P< 0.05), while those in ovarian cancer group were increased by 5.61 fold, 7.61 fold, 7.49 fold, 4.79 fold, 7.76 fold and 5.35 fold, respectively, and the mRNA level of PR was reduced by 95 % (all P< 0.05). Conclusion In endometriosis and ovarian cancer tissues, the expression levels of TGF-β1, COX-2, VEGF, ER-1α, AR and CYP19 are increased, and the expression levels of PR are decreased, which maybe suggest both diseases are potentially relevant.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the influence of Smac to the chemosensitivity of cyclophosphamide (CTX) and doxorubicin (DOX) in MCF-7 cells.Methods MCF-7 cells were exposed to CTX,DOX and the combination of both.3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazoly)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to estimate the cell viability.Apoptosis was measured by acridine orange staining and Ho.33342/PI dou-ble staining.The mRNA and protein expressions of Smac were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.The study also analyzed the changes of pro-apoptotic proteins active caspase-3 and active caspase-9.Results CTX,DOX and the combination of both drugs reduced the cell survival rates in a concentration-dependent manner.The cell viability after being treated with 4.0 μg/ml CTX or 0.2 μg/ml DOX or 2.0 μg/ml CTX and 0.1 μg/ml DOX for 48 hours was (52.90 ± 8.78) ％,(53.35 ± 6.29) ％ and (34.19 ± 5.43) ％,respectively.The drug combination developed a stronger inhibitory effect compared to the single drugs (t =9.051,P=0.014;t =9.074,P =0.014).The Smac mRNA and protein levels in 2.0 μg/ml CTX and 0.1 μg/ml DOX group were 7.47 ± 0.82 and 4.13 ± 0.36,which were higher than those in 4.0 μg/ml CTX group (3.27 ± 0.40 and 2.28 ± 0.27;t =-50.120,P =0.000;t =-42.588,P =0.000) and 0.2 μg/ml DOXgroup (3.34±0.62and2.45±0.40;t=-46.233,P=0.000;t=-39.541,P=0.000).Furthermore,pro-apoptotic proteins active caspase-3 and active caspase-9 increased activity was confirmed by Western blotting.Conclusion Smac plays a vital role in enhancing the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs CTX and DOX in MCF-7 cell line.