ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bile acids have anti-cancer properties in a certain types of cancers. We determined anticancer activity and its underlying molecular mechanism of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in human DU145 prostate cancer cells. METHODS: Cell viability was measured with an MTT assay. UDCA-induced apoptosis was determined with flow cytometric analysis. The expression levels of apoptosis-related signaling proteins were examined with Western blotting. RESULTS: UDCA treatment significantly inhibited cell growth of DU145 in a dose-dependent manner. It induced cellular shrinkage and cytoplasmic blebs and accumulated the cells with sub-G1 DNA contents. Moreover, UDCA activated caspase 8, suggesting that UDCA-induced apoptosis is associated with extrinsic pathway. Consistent to this finding, UDCA increased the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor, death receptor 4 (DR4) and death receptor 5 (DR5), and TRAIL augmented the UDCA-induced cell death in DU145 cells. In addition, UDCA also increased the expressions of Bax and cytochrome c and decreased the expression of Bcl-xL in DU145 cells. This finding suggests that UDCA-induced apoptosis may be involved in intrinsic pathway. CONCLUSIONS: UDCA induces apoptosis via extrinsic pathway as well as intrinsic pathway in DU145 prostate cancer cells. UDCA may be a promising anti-cancer agent against prostate cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Bile Acids and Salts , Blister , Blotting, Western , Caspase 8 , Cell Death , Cell Survival , Cytochromes c , Cytoplasm , DNA , Necrosis , Prostate , Prostatic Neoplasms , Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand , Ursodeoxycholic AcidABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (cis-diaminedichloroplatinum, CDDP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of many cancers. However, initial resistance to CDDP is a serious problem in treating these cancers. Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (Meoru in Korea) have shown anti-nuclear factor kappa B and anti-epidermal growth factor receptor activities in cancer cells. METHODS: In this study, in order to seeking an approach to increase the anti-cancer effects of CDDP with natural products. Here, we investigated anthocyanins isolated from Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (anthocyanidins isolated from meoru, AIMs) can enhance anti-cancer effects of cisplatin (CDDP) in stomach cancer cells. The cell viability of SNU-1 and SNU-16 cells after treated with AIMs and CDDP were analyzed by MTT assay. The expressions of Akt and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) proteins were examined by western blot in AIMs- and CDDP-treated cells. RESULTS: We found that AIMs enhanced anticancer effects of CDDP, which activity was additive but not synergistic. AIMs suppressed Akt activity of the cancer cells activated by CDDP. AIMs also suppressed in XIAP an anti-apoptotic protein. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the anthocyanins isolated from fruits of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat enhanced anti-cancer effects of CDDP by inhibiting Akt activity activated by CDDP.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anthocyanins , Biological Products , Blotting, Western , Cell Survival , Cisplatin , Fruit , Stomach Neoplasms , Vitis , X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis ProteinABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Xanthium stramarium (XAS) and Psoralea corylifolia (PSC), phototoxic oriental medicinal plants, has been used in traditional medicines in Asian countries. OBJECTIVE: The effects of highly purified XAS or PSC extract combined with ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) irradiation on cell proliferation and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression of the keloid fibroblast were being investigated to define potential therapeutic uses for keloid treatments. METHODS: The keloid fibroblasts were treated with XAS or PSC alone or in the combination with UVA1 irradiation. The cell viability, apoptosis, and expression of TGF-beta1 and collagen I were investigated. RESULTS: XAS and PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts. Furthermore, the XAS and PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation inhibited TGF-beta1 expression and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: These findings may open up the possibility of clinically used XAS or PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation for keloid treatments.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Asian People , Cell Proliferation , Cell Survival , Collagen , Fibroblasts , Keloid , Plants, Medicinal , Psoralea , Therapeutic Uses , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , XanthiumABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Xanthium stramarium (XAS) and Psoralea corylifolia (PSC), phototoxic oriental medicinal plants, has been used in traditional medicines in Asian countries. OBJECTIVE: The effects of highly purified XAS or PSC extract combined with ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) irradiation on cell proliferation and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression of the keloid fibroblast were being investigated to define potential therapeutic uses for keloid treatments. METHODS: The keloid fibroblasts were treated with XAS or PSC alone or in the combination with UVA1 irradiation. The cell viability, apoptosis, and expression of TGF-beta1 and collagen I were investigated. RESULTS: XAS and PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts. Furthermore, the XAS and PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation inhibited TGF-beta1 expression and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: These findings may open up the possibility of clinically used XAS or PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation for keloid treatments.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Asian People , Cell Proliferation , Cell Survival , Collagen , Fibroblasts , Keloid , Plants, Medicinal , Psoralea , Therapeutic Uses , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , XanthiumABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) has been used to treat a wide range of malignant and benign diseases including osteosarcoma, advanced stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, psoriasis, severe rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and Wegener's granulomatosis. MTX-induced lung injury occurs in up to 10% of treated patients. Although both acute and chronic presentations have been described, typical manifestation of MTX-induced lung injury is subacute with symptoms usually developing within several months after starting therapy. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is the most common histopathologic manifestation of MTX-induced lung disease, while bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) and diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) are less common. Granuloma formation is reported in 34.7%. In Korea, Two reports of MTX pneumonitis have been published. The one presented with NSIP and the other with DAD. We recently experienced a case of MTX pneumonitis with presentation of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia , Granuloma , Hypersensitivity , Korea , Lung Diseases , Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Lung Injury , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin , Methotrexate , Osteosarcoma , Pneumonia , Psoriasis , Sarcoidosis , Granulomatosis with PolyangiitisABSTRACT
Although Aspergillus endocarditis has rarely been reported, it can cause fatal complications in hematologic malignancy patients and allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. We experienced two cases of aspergillus endocarditis developed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Case; A 19-year-old patient developed Aspergillus endocarditis after allogenic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. He was treated with surgical intervention and liposomal amphotericin B. He died of recurred Aspergillus endocarditis and cerebral hemorrhage probably related with aspergillosis of central nervous system. Case 2; A 23-year-old patient developed invasive Aspergillus endocarditis after induction chemotherapy. Aspergillus endocarditis was successfully treated by surgical intervention and amphotericin B. He died of refractory neutropenic fever and sepsis after the third relapse of leukemia and repetitive chemotherapy. He probably had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis without evidence of endocarditis recurrence. Because the mortality of Aspergillus endocarditis is very high, early diagnosis and surgical intervention are very important for better outcome.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Amphotericin B , Aspergillosis , Aspergillus , Central Nervous System , Cerebral Hemorrhage , Drug Therapy , Early Diagnosis , Endocarditis , Fever , Hematologic Neoplasms , Induction Chemotherapy , Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis , Leukemia , Mortality , Osteomyelitis , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma , Recurrence , Sepsis , Stem Cell Transplantation , Stem Cells , TransplantationABSTRACT
Although Aspergillus endocarditis has rarely been reported, it can cause fatal complications in hematologic malignancy patients and allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. We experienced two cases of aspergillus endocarditis developed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Case; A 19-year-old patient developed Aspergillus endocarditis after allogenic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. He was treated with surgical intervention and liposomal amphotericin B. He died of recurred Aspergillus endocarditis and cerebral hemorrhage probably related with aspergillosis of central nervous system. Case 2; A 23-year-old patient developed invasive Aspergillus endocarditis after induction chemotherapy. Aspergillus endocarditis was successfully treated by surgical intervention and amphotericin B. He died of refractory neutropenic fever and sepsis after the third relapse of leukemia and repetitive chemotherapy. He probably had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis without evidence of endocarditis recurrence. Because the mortality of Aspergillus endocarditis is very high, early diagnosis and surgical intervention are very important for better outcome.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Amphotericin B , Aspergillosis , Aspergillus , Central Nervous System , Cerebral Hemorrhage , Drug Therapy , Early Diagnosis , Endocarditis , Fever , Hematologic Neoplasms , Induction Chemotherapy , Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis , Leukemia , Mortality , Osteomyelitis , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma , Recurrence , Sepsis , Stem Cell Transplantation , Stem Cells , TransplantationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although corticosteroid and cytotoxic agent such as cyclophosphamide have been used for the treatment of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), efficacy of these toxic drugs are unclear because previous reports included the patients who did not undergo surgical lung biopsy and none evaluated the response according to histopathologic entities of IIP. To answer this, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment response and side effects of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide therapy in patients with idiopathic UIP and NSIP. METHODS: Among 61 patients with UIP and 26 patients with NSIP diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy at Samsung Medical Center from July 1996 to June 2002, those who received corticosteroid or cyclophosphamide therapy for at least 6 months and were followed for at least one year after the initiation of treatment were enrolled (32 UIP, 23 NSIP). Treatment response of 55 patients was assessed by ATS response criteria (clinical symptoms, pulmonary function test and radiological findings).Adverse reactions to either agent (42 cases of cyclophosphamide+/-low-dose prednisolone, 49 cases of prednisolone alone) were also analyzed. RESULTS: Irrespective of treatment regimen, NSIP showed more favorable response than UIP (6 months: 78.3% vs. 9.4%, 12 months: 69.6% vs. 9.4%, p<0.001). Cyclophosphamide showed comparable response to corticosteroid in NSIP while its efficacy was as poor as those of corticosteroid therapy in UIP. Significant adverse reaction to drug more frequently occurred in corticosteroid group (35.7%) than cyclophosphamide group (14.3%) (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: Cyclophosphamide is effective and more tolerable than corticosteroids in the treatment of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Biopsy , Cyclophosphamide , Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias , Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis , Lung , Lung Diseases, Interstitial , Prednisolone , Respiratory Function Tests , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Lupus myocarditis is usually treated using immunosuppressive agents, such as high-dose corticosteroids, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. Viral myocarditis and enteroviruses have been identified as the most common causative agents of myocarditis in lupus patients. Although immunosuppressive therapy has an important role in the treatment of lupus myocarditis, it is not recommended in patients with infectious or post-infectious viral myocarditis, and supportive care is very important in these patients. A 25-year old female patient, with systemic lupus erythematosus, was admitted due to severe dyspnea, and diagnosed as having heart failure. She recovered 7 days after supportive care for heart failure, without Immuno-suppression. Her sera neutralized coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) in neutralization test, with the horse anti-CVB3 antibody (Ab, ATCC V030-501-560) used as a positive control. The titers for the neutralizing Ab in her sera were 4 times higher than that of the standard control ATCC Ab.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Azathioprine , Cyclophosphamide , Dyspnea , Enterovirus , Heart Failure , Horses , Immunosuppressive Agents , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Myocarditis , Neutralization TestsABSTRACT
Weber-Christian disease (WCD) was first described by Pfeifer in 1892, and more clearly defined by Weber and Christian in the 1920s. It is a process of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent fever and inflammation of the adipose tissue. Pathological studies disclose areas of fat necrosis with an inflammatory infiltrate showing a lobular pattern and the usual presence of macrophages with foamy cytoplasm. The clinical signs include tender, palpable nodules, located mainly in the extremities, and fever, abdominal pain, arthritis and arthralgia and hepatosplenomegaly have also been reported. We present a case of Weber-Christian disease in which the presence of multiple subcutaneous nodules, enophthalmos, fatty liver, pericardial effusion was noticed. Biopsy of the skin showed mixed panniculitis in the subcutaneous fat layer. She responded well to glucocorticoid, colchicine and hydroxychloroquine.
Subject(s)
Abdominal Pain , Adipose Tissue , Arthralgia , Arthritis , Biopsy , Colchicine , Cytoplasm , Enophthalmos , Extremities , Fat Necrosis , Fatty Liver , Fever , Hydroxychloroquine , Inflammation , Macrophages , Panniculitis , Panniculitis, Nodular Nonsuppurative , Pericardial Effusion , Skin , Subcutaneous FatABSTRACT
A 21-year-old male was presented with sudden headache, fever, petechiae and neck stiffness. The diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis was confirmed by examination of cerebrospinal fluid. The clinical symptoms of the illness were improved after treatment of antibiotics. However the patient developed generalized edema, oliguria, azotemia, and heavy proteinuria in the recovery phase of illness. Low serum C3 level was also noted. A kidney biopsy was performed and showed the features of postinfectious glomerulonephritis and typical subepithelial humps on electron-microscopic examination. His symptoms and laboratory findings were improved, and C3 level returned to normal range after conservative treatment. We suggest that a complement deficiency should be ruled out in patients of glomerulonephritis developed during the recovery phase of meningococcal meningitis. C3 nephritic factor detection and renal biopsy should be carefully considered in these patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Azotemia , Biopsy , Cerebrospinal Fluid , Complement C3 Nephritic Factor , Complement System Proteins , Diagnosis , Edema , Fever , Glomerulonephritis , Headache , Kidney , Meningitis , Meningitis, Meningococcal , Neck , Neisseria meningitidis , Oliguria , Proteinuria , Purpura , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
The cystic disease of the kidney include a heterogeneous group of developmental, hereditary, and acquired disorders. Based on extensive microdissection studies, Potter concluded all renal cystic diseases could be categorized into four types. We have experienced 5 cases of cystic kidney disease which were confirmed by aoutopsy and classified as Type I, Type II, Type III, Boderline between types II and III and Type IV according to Potter's classification. We report these cases with a review of literatures.