Inhibition of AGS cancer cell proliferation following siRNA-mediated downregulation of VEGFR2

Objective: vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and VEGF receptors [VEGFRs] play important roles in angiogenesis of different developmental mechanisms such as wound healing, embryogenesis and diseases, including different types of cancer. VEGFR2 is associated with cell proliferation, migration, and vascular permeability of endothelial cells. Blocking VEGF and its receptors is suggested as a therapeutic approach to prevent tumor growth. In this study, we aim to block VEGF signaling via small interfering RNA [siRNA] inhibition of VEGFR2

Materials and Methods: in this experimental study, we used the RNA interference [RNAi] mechanism to suppress expression of the VEGFR2 gene. We conducted the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR], Western blot, and flow cytometry analyses of VEGFR2 expression

Results: real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that VEGFR2 expression significantly downregulated. This suppression was followed by inhibition of cell proliferation, reduction of viability, and induction of apoptosis in the cancer cells

Conclusion: these findings suggest that VEGFR2 has a role in cell proliferation and tumor growth. Accordingly, it is suggested that VEGFR2 can be a therapeutic target for controlling tumor growth and proliferation

Oxidative stress and anti-oxidant defense system in Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is a common disorder of infertility which affects more than 100 million women. It is characterized by chronic anovulation, hyper androgenism and obesity. PCOS is also associated with oxidative stress changes. Here, we aimed to investigate the level of antioxidants and oxidative stress in Iranian women with PCOS as a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease for the first time in Iran. In this cross sectional study 30 women with PCOS and 30 healthy women were included. C-reactive protein, serum insulin, advanced oxidation protein products, and level of total antioxidants status were measured from blood samples. The levels of serum insulin, C-reactive protein, advanced oxidation protein products were significantly increased in women with PCOS compared with healthy women but there was a decrease in level of total antioxidants status in PCOS women. These changes show that oxidative stress contributes to PCOS and the decrease of antioxidants leads to increase of oxidation products contributing to PCOS