Effect and Mechanism of Yiyi Fuzi Baijiangsan on Apoptosis of Human Colon Cancer HCT116 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Yiyi Fuzi Baijiangsan （YYFZBJ） on the apoptosis of colon cancer cell line HCT116. MethodYYFZBJ at different concentrations （0.5， 1， 2， 4， 6， 8， 10， 12， 14， 16 g·L-1） was used to intervene in HCT116 cells for 24， 48， 72 h. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method was used to determine the effect of YYFZBJ on cell proliferation in vitro. The cells were divided into a blank group， a capecitabine group（1.8 g·L-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose YYFZBJ groups （6， 10， and 14 g·L-1） and treated for 48 hours. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis. Hoechst 33342 staining was used to observe the apoptotic morphology of cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） was analyzed by a mitochondrial-targeted deep-red fluorescent probe （Mito-Tracker Red CMXRos）. The expression of proteins related to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway， such as B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cytochrome C （Cyt C）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease （Caspase）-9， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， and cleaved Caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. The mRNA levels of Bcl-2， Bax， Cyt C， Caspase-9， and Caspase-3 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the blank group， YYFZBJ （8， 10， 12， 14， 16 g·L-1） significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells in vitro （P<0.05） in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group， the medium- and high-dose YYFZBJ groups and the capecitabine group showed increased apoptosis rates of colon cancer cells （P<0.05）. The YYFZBJ groups and the capecitabine group showed reduced number of colon cancer cells with significantly changed cellular morphology and cell apoptosis manifestations， such as strong dark blue fluorescence， nucleus concentration， shrinkage， and fragmentation. With the increase in the mass concentration of YYFZBJ， the blue fluorescence intensity was significantly enhanced. Compared with the blank group， the YYFZBJ groups and the capecitabine group showed reduced MMP in a dose-dependent manner， decreased protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2， and increased protein expression of Bax， Cyt C， Caspase-9， Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-9， and cleaved Caspase-3 and mRNA expression of Bax， Cyt C， Caspase-9， and Caspase-3 （P<0.05）. ConclusionYYFZBJ can induce the apoptosis of colon cancer HCT116 cells through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

BIX-01294 inhibits the proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by inducing DNA damage and activating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of histone methylase G9a inhibitor BIX-01294 on apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods    MTT assay and Colony-forming Units were adopted to determine the effects of BIX-01294 on the growth and proliferation of ESCC cell lines EC109 and KYSE150. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis status of ESCC cells after the treatment of BIX-01294. The effects of BIX-01294 treatment on the expressions of G9a catalytic product H3K9me2, DNA double-strand break (DSB) markers, and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results    BIX-01294 inhibited the growth of EC109 and KYSE150 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), and BIX-01294 with the inhibitory concentration 50%(IC50) significantly inhibited the formation of colony (P<0.05). After 24 hours treatment of BIX-01294 (IC50), the apoptosis rate of EC109 cells increased from 11.5%±2.1% to 42.5%±5.4%, and KYSE150 cells from 7.5%±0.9% to 49.2%±5.2%(P<0.05). The expression level of the G9a catalytic product, H3K9me2, significantly decreased (P<0.05); while the expression of the DSB marker γH2AX was dramatically enhanced (P<0.05). We also found that the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway was activated and the expression levels of cleaved caspase3 and cleaved PARP were significantly elevated (P<0.05). Conclusion    BIX-01294, the inhibitor of methyltransferase G9a, prompted apoptosis in ESCC cells by inducing DSB damage and activating mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Neuroprotective effects of kukoamine A against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of kukoamine A (KuA) on rotenone-induced PC12 cells damage and to preliminary verify its potential action mechanisms. The present study may lay the foundation for finding leading compounds with anti-Parkinson's disease (PD) effects. Methods: A PD model induced by rotenone was established in vitro, and MTT, LDH, and Hoechst33342 staining were used for preliminary confirmation of KuA resistance to rotenone-induced PC12 cell injury in vitro. The effects of KuA on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were investigated by colorimetric method and fluorescence staining, respectively. Western blotting was applied to explore the underlying mechanisms of protective effects of KuA against rotenone-induced PC12 cells damage. Results: The PC12 cell viability was significantly decreased after exposure to 0.5 μmol/L rotenone, whereas pretreatment with different concentrations of KuA could attenuate the cell injury induced by rotenone. Compared with the rotenone-treated group, KuA could decrease the ROS production and MDA level, while increase the SOD activity. In addition, KuA could effectively increase the MMP, decrease the cytochrome c release and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as inhibit caspase-3, caspase-9, and α-synuclein protein expressions. Conclusion: KuA showed neuroprotective ability on rotenone-induced PC12 cells PD model and the potential protective mechanisms of KuA can be related with inhibition of ROS generation, protection of MMP, regulation of protein expressions involved in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and reduction of α-synuclein expression.

Effects of cinnamaldehyde on apoptosis of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma Eca109 cells and its mechanism / 中草药

Objective: To investigate effects of cinnamaldehyde (CA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma Eca109 cells and to explore its mechanism. Methods: The effects of different concentrations (1.88, 3.75, 7.50, 15.00, 30.00 μg/mL) of CA on the proliferation of Eca109 cells were detected by MTS assay; Morphological changes were observed by phase contrast microscope; Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate of Eca109 at different concentrations of CA; The expression of apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3/Caspase-9, pro-apoptosis protein Bax and anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 in ECA109 cells treated with different concentrations of CA for 24 h was detected by Western blotting. Results: After treated by CA with a concentration of 15.00, 30.00 μg/mL for 24 h, compared with the control group, the cell proliferation of Eca109 cells was significantly inhibited [(42.91 ± 2.15)%, (36.04 ± 2.97)% vs (100.00 ± 0.00)%, P < 0.05]; After treated by CA, Eca109 cells showed obvious apoptotic morphological changes; After treated with different concentrations of CA for 24 h, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase was decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while the proportion of cells in G2/M phase was increased significantly (P < 0.05); After treated by CA for 24 h, the apoptosis rate of Eca109 cells was increased significantly [(4.3 ± 0.11)%, (4.8 ± 0.07)%, (9.1 ± 0.13)% vs (1.0 ± 0.03)%, P < 0.05]; Compared with the control group, the fragment of protein Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 was significantly cleaved in Eca109 cells treated with different concentrations of CA for 24 h (P < 0.05); The expression levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while the pro-apoptotic protein Bax expression was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Cinnamaldehyde can inhibit the proliferation of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma Eca109 cells and promote its apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with the up-regulation of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, pro-apoptotic protein Bax and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Mcl-1.

Antagonistic effect of vitamin E on di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To explore the antagonistic effect of vitamin E (VE) on male reproductive toxicity induced by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in pubertal SD rats and its underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty 5-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, corn oil control, low-dose (10 mg/kg/d), medium-dose (100 mg/kg/d) and high-dose DEHP exposure (500 mg/kg/d), and VE intervention (high-dose DEHP + VE ［100 mg/kg/d］), and treated respectively for 30 successive days. At 3 days after treatment, the testes of the animals were harvested for determination of the oxidative stress index, serum reproductive hormone levels, cauda epididymal sperm parameters, and expressions of cell apoptosis-related genes and proteins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the rats of the medium- and high-dose DEHP groups showed significant decreases in the levels of such serum reproductive hormones as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T), sperm parameters as average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness (STR), linearity (LIN) and wobble (WOB), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px), but significant increases were observed in the latter two groups in the content of malondialdehyde (MDA)(［3.32±0.87］ nmol/mg pro vs ［2.13±0.49］ nmol/ mg pro), mRNA expressions of Bad, Bax, Cytochrome C, Caspase-3 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and protein expressions of Cytochrome C and Caspase-3. In comparison with the high-dose DEHP group, the VE intervention group exhibited remarkably increased serum LH and T levels, sperm VAP, VSL, VCL, STR and WOB, and activities of SOD and GSH-Px, but markedly decreased mRNA expressions of Bad, Bax, Cytochrome C, Caspase-3 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as the protein expressions of Cytochrome C and Caspase-3 in the testis tissue (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Exposure to DEHP induces androgen secretion disorders, causes oxidative damage to the testicular tissue, activates the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in the testis, and ultimately reduces the quality of epididymal sperm, while VE can protect the rat testis from DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity.</p>

The hepatoprotective effect of Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract against concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury in mice via inhibition of ROS and JNK pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract(AH) on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced acute liver injury in mice,and to ex-plore whether the mechanism was related to the inhibi-tory effect of AH on oxidative stress and c-Jun N-termi-nal kinase (JNK). Methods ConA(20 mg·kg-1) was administered via tail vein injecting to induce he-patic damage in mice. The groups of AH were given at 12.5,25,50 mg·kg-1by oral gavage separately for 20 days. The serum levels of AST,ALT,TP,and Alb were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer and the A/G ratio was calculated. TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were assayed by ELISA. The liver tissue was attained by HE and the histopathological changes were calculat-ed. The MDA, SOD, GSH contents of liver tissues were assayed by related kits. The activity of caspase-3 was detected by spectrophotometry. The expressions of cytochrome C and Bax, Bcl-2, p-JNK and p-Akt were detected by Western blot. Results The serum levels of ALT, AST, IFN-γ and TNF-α in AH groups were significantly lower than those in ConA-injured group, while the levels of TP,Alb and A/G were significantly higher. The SOD and GSH levels of liver tissues signif-icantly increased and MDA level decreased; liver his-topathological changes were consistent with those of the serological indicators, and AH treatment significantly reduced the pathological damage induced by ConA. In AH group,the expression of cytochrome C,caspase-3, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and p-JNK markedly decreased, while the expression of p-Akt protein increased compared with ConA model group. Conclusion AH could sig-nificantly protect the ConA-induced acute liver injury in mice via inhibition of ROS and JNK pathway.

Ethyl acetate extract of Pleione bulbocodioides(Franch.)Rolfe induces apoptosis of human leukemia K562 and HL-60 cells through intrinsic mi-tochondrial apoptosis pathway / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effects of ethyl acetate(EtOAc)extract of Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.)Rolfe on proliferation and apoptosis of human leukemia K 562 and HL-60 cells and the possible apoptosis path-way.METHODS:Human leukemia cell lines were treated with EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides at different con-centrations.XTT method was used to evaluate the viability of K 562 cells and HL-60 cells.The cell growth inhibition was calculated by Trypan blue exclusion test.The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry,and 4,,6-dia-midino-2-phenylindole(DAPI)was used to observe morphological changes of the cells.The cell cycle was observed by pro-pidium iodide(PI)staining.The protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP), cleaved caspase-3,cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF)wase determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The cell viability and proliferation were inhibited by EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides with IC50of(42.14 ±2.54)mg/L for HL-60 cells and(51.28 ±3.12)mg/L for K562 cells at 24 h.The results of Annexin V-FITC/PI and DAPI staining showed that EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.The apoptotic rate was increased compared with control group(P<0.05).The G2phase increased with typical cell apoptosis-induced mor-phological changes.The levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax,cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 were increased, while Bcl-2 was down-regulated(P<0.05).Cytochrome C and AIF in cytosol,characteristic proteins of intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway,also increased with the concentration of EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides increasing(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:EtOAc extract of Pleione bulbocodioides significantly inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and K562 through intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Combination of total Astragalus extract and total Panax notoginseng saponins strengthened the protective effects on brain damage through improving energy metabolism and inhibiting apoptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of the combination between total Astragalus extract (TAE) and total Panax notoginseng saponins (TPNS) against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, TAE (110 mg/kg) group, TPNS (115 mg/kg) group, TAE-TPNS combination group and Edaravone (4 mg/kg) group, treated for 4 days, then, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) ligation for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 1 and 24 h.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TPNS could increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, TAE and TAE-TPNS combination increased ATP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) contents and Na-K-ATPase activity, and the effects of TAE-TPNS combination were stronger than those of TAE or TPNS alone after reperfusion for 1 h. After reperfusion for 24 h, TAE, TPNS and TAE-TPNS combination significantly increased neurocyte survival rate and decreased the apoptosis rate as well as down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated c-June N-terminal kinase1/2 (p-JNK1/2), cytochrome C (Cyt C), cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease (Caspase)-9 and Caspase-3. Furthermore, the effects in TAE-TPNS combination were better than those in TAE or TPNS alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of TAE 110 mg/kg and TPNS 115 mg/kg could strengthen protective effects on cerebral ischemia injury, the mechanism underlying might be related to improving jointly the early energy metabolism, and relieving the delayed apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of JNK signal transduction.</p>

Apoptosis mechanism of gastric cancer cellSGC-7901 induced by Omphalia lapidescens protein pPeOp / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the apoptosis mechanism of human gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 induced by Omphalia lapidescens protein pPeOp.Methods CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to detect the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of pPeOp(30, 60, 90 mg·L-1) on SGC-7901.The mRNA and protein expression of TNF-R1, Fas/FasL, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and caspase-8 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results SGC-7901 cells were treated with different concentrations of pPeOp(30, 60, 90 mg·L-1) for 24 h.CCK-8 test showed that there was no significant difference between PVP group and the control group.The survival rate of the 5-Fu group was(53.71±7.34)% (P<0.05).The survival rates of pPeOp group(30, 60, 90 mg·L-1) were(80.95±6.25)%, (53.48±5.70)% and(44.61±6.50)%(r=0.984,P=0.016),respectively.Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of PVP group had no significant difference with control group, and the apoptosis rate of 5-Fu group was about(39.30±3.34)%(P<0.05).The apoptotic rates of pPeOp group(30, 60, 90 mg·L-1) were(10.90±1.25)%, (28.80±2.70)% and (32.00±3.50)%,respectively(P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were down-regulated,whereas the expression of TNF-R1, Fas/FasL, caspase-3 and caspase-8 were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).Conclusions pPeOp can significantly inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and induce apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.Death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathway may be related to pPeOp-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC-7901.

HSP70 inhibitor combined with cisplatin suppresses the cervical cancer proliferation in vitro and transplanted tumor growth: An experimental study

OBJECTIVE@#To study the regulating effect of HSP70 inhibitor (PES) combined with cisplatin on cervical cancer proliferation in vitro and transplanted tumor growth.@*METHODS@#Cervical cancer Hela cell lines were cultured and divided into control group, cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group that were treated with serum-free DMEM, cisplatin with final concentration of 10 μmol/L, PES 20 μmol/L and cisplatin 10 μmol/L combined with PES with 20 μmol/L, respectively; animal models with cervical cancer xenografts were established and divided into control group, cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group who received intra-tumor injection of normal saline, 10 μmol/L cisplatin, 20 μmol/L PES as well as 10 μmol/L cisplatin + 20 μmol/L PES, respectively. Cell proliferation activity, transplanted tumor volume and mitochondria apoptosis molecule expression were detected.@*RESULTS@#Cell viability value and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in cells of cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group were significantly lower than those of control group while Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA expression in cells were significantly higher than those of control group; transplanted tumor volume and the Bcl-2 mRNA expression in transplanted tumor tissue of cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group were significantly lower than those of control group while Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA expression in transplanted tumor tissue were significantly higher than those of control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#HSP70 inhibitor combined with cisplatin can inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation in vitro and transplanted tumor growth through mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

HSP70 inhibitor combined with cisplatin suppresses the cervical cancer proliferation in vitro and transplanted tumor growth: An experimental study

Objective To study the regulating effect of HSP70 inhibitor (PES) combined with cisplatin on cervical cancer proliferation in vitro and transplanted tumor growth. Methods Cervical cancer Hela cell lines were cultured and divided into control group, cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group that were treated with serum-free DMEM, cisplatin with final concentration of 10 μmol/L, PES 20 μmol/L and cisplatin 10 μmol/L combined with PES with 20 μmol/L, respectively; animal models with cervical cancer xenografts were established and divided into control group, cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group who received intra-tumor injection of normal saline, 10 μmol/L cisplatin, 20 μmol/L PES as well as 10 μmol/L cisplatin + 20 μmol/L PES, respectively. Cell proliferation activity, transplanted tumor volume and mitochondria apoptosis molecule expression were detected. Results Cell viability value and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in cells of cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group were significantly lower than those of control group while Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA expression in cells were significantly higher than those of control group; transplanted tumor volume and the Bcl-2 mRNA expression in transplanted tumor tissue of cisplatin group, PES group and cisplatin + PES group were significantly lower than those of control group while Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA expression in transplanted tumor tissue were significantly higher than those of control group. Conclusions HSP70 inhibitor combined with cisplatin can inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation in vitro and transplanted tumor growth through mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Methyl pyropheophorbide-a-mediated photodynamic therapy induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which methyl pyropheophorbide-a-mediated photodynamic therapy (Mppa-PDT) inhibit cell viability and induce apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3. Methods Human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 at the logarithmic growth phase were divided into Mppa-PDT treated group (both Mppa and PDT treated group) and control groups (the blank group, the only Mppa treated group and only PDT treated group). After Mppa-PDT treatment, the cell viability was examined with CCK-8 assay; cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin -FITC/PI; and nuclear morphological changes during cell apoptosis was detected by DAPI staning. Moreover, the celluar reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by DCFH-DA staining; DNA damage was observed by single cell gel electrophoresis; and the protein expression of p53, Caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Results (1) Mppa-PDT could greatly suppress the cell viability of human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 in a dose-dependent manner. (2) The cell apoptosis rate of Mppa-PDT treated group was significanlty higher than those of three control groups (blank group, Mppa group and PDT group) (P0.05). (3) After treating with Mppa-PDT, DAPI staining showed strongly stained nuclei of the apoptotic cells; DCFH-DA staining displayed higher level of ROS than those of the three control groups; single cell gel electrophoresis showed greater DNA damage than those of the three control groups; and Western blotting analysis showed that the expression of p53, Caspase-3 and Bax protein was increased and Bcl-2 protein was decreased (P<.05). Conclusion Mppa-PDT can significantly suppress cell viability and induce apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cell SKOV3, accompanied by DNA damage and the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Role of DNA methylation of p53-Bax mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in cholangiocarcinoma / 中华临床营养杂志

Objective To study the methylation status of the promoter region of several tumor suppressor genes in p53-Bax mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and its role in cholangiocarcinoma. Methods The hypermethylation of the promoter region of tumor suppressors death-associated protein kinase (DAPK), p14, and target of methylation-associoted silencing-1 (TMS1/ASC) were detected by methylation-specific PCR. P53 gene status (exon 5-8 ) were examined by automated sequencing. The relationship between gene mutations and the biological behaviors of cholangiocarcinoma was analyzed. Results Methylation existed in at least one promoter region of tumor suppressor gene in the tumor tissues of 24 patients (66. 7% ). The frequencies of tumor suppressor gene methylation in cholangiocarcinoma were: p14 24%, DAPK 30. 6%, and TMS1/ASC 36. 1%. The frequencies of tumor suppressor gene methylation in the adjacent tissues were: TMS1/ASC 8.3% and DAPK 5.6%. DNA sequencing showed p53 gene mutation was found in 22 of 36 patients (61.1% ), and p53 gene mutation combined with the methylation of tumor suppressor was found in 14 (38.9%) patients, which was significantly correlated with pathologic biology, invasion, and differentiation ( P ＜ 0.05 ). The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were significantly higher in tumor-suppressing genes methylation group ( n = 4) (70%, 43 %, and 28%, respectively)than those in p53 gene mutation group (n = 14) (28%, 5%, and 0%, respectively) (χ2 =9. 060, P =0.03).Conclusions Promoter hypermethylation of p53-Bax mitochondrial apoptosis pathway is a common epigenetic event in cholangiocarcinoma. Although the methylations of TMS1/ASC and DAPK genes in the adjacent tissues are relatively low, they may be informative for the early detection of cholangiocarcinoma. P53 gene mutation combined with the methylation of tumor suppressor may be related with the pathologic biology of cholangiocarcinoma, making the latter trend to be with high malignancy and poor prognosis.