Combination treatment with 2-methoxyestradiol overcomes bortezomib resistance of multiple myeloma cells

Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor used for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, intrinsic and acquired resistance to bortezomib has already been observed in MM patients. In a previous report, we demonstrated that changes in the expression of mitochondrial genes lead to changes in mitochondrial activity and bortezomib susceptibility or resistance, and their combined effects contribute to the differential sensitivity or resistance of MM cells to bortezomib. Here we report that the combination treatment of bortezomib and 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME), a natural estrogen metabolite, induces mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death of bortezomib-resistant MM KMS20 cells via mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. Bortezomib plus 2ME treatment induces a higher level of cell death compared with treatment with bortezomib alone and increases mitochondrial ROS and Ca2+ levels in KMS20 cells. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine scavenges mitochondrial ROS and decreases cell death after treatment with bortezomib plus 2ME in KMS20 cells. Moreover, we observed that treatment with bortezomib plus 2ME maintains the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4/7 (MKK4/7). Collectively, combination treatment with bortezomib and 2ME induces cell death via JNK-MKK4/7 activation by overproduction of mitochondrial ROS. Therefore, combination therapy with specific mitochondrial-targeting drugs may prove useful to the development of novel strategies for the treatment of bortezomib-resistant MM patients.

Tetramethylpyrazine potentiates arsenic trioxide activity against HL-60 cell lines

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) in combination with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on the proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 cells. The HL-60 cells were treated with 300 µg/mL TMP, 0.5 µM As2O3, and 300 µg/mL TMP combined with 0.5 µM As2O3, respectively. The proliferative inhibition rates were determined with MTT. Differentiation was detected by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test, Wright’s staining and the distribution of CD11b and CD14. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distribution. RT-PCR and Western blot assays were employed to detect the expressions of c-myc, p27, CDK2, and cyclin E1. Combination treatment had synergistic effects on the proliferative inhibition rates. The rates were increased gradually after the combination treatment, much higher than those treated with the corresponding concentration of As2O3 alone. The cells exhibited characteristics of mature granulocytes and a higher NBT-reducing ability, being a 2.6-fold increase in the rate of NBT-positive ratio of HL-60 cells within the As2O3 treatment versus almost a 13-fold increase in the TMP + As2O3 group. Cells treated with both TMP and As2O3 expressed far more CD11b antigens, almost 2-fold compared with the control group. Small doses of TMP potentiate As2O3-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells, possibly by regulating the expression and activity of G0/G1 phase-arresting molecules. Combination treatment of TMP with As2O3 has significant synergistic effects on the proliferative inhibition of HL-60 cells.

The Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Sitagliptin Improves Vascular Endothelial Function in Type 2 Diabetes

The vascular endothelial function is impaired in the very early stage of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. The goal of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the improvement in vascular endothelial function by sitagliptin in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This study was an open-labeled prospective observational single arm trial. Forty patients were treated with 50 mg of sitagliptin once daily for 12-weeks. The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma adiponectin were measured at baseline and 12 weeks after initiating treatment. The %FMD was significantly increased after treatment (4.13 +/- 1.59 vs 5.12 +/- 1.55, P < 0.001), whereas the nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) did not change. The plasma adiponectin levels significantly increased (13.0 +/- 11.3 vs 14.3 +/- 12.8, P < 0.001). The changes in the FMD were significantly correlated with those of the plasma adiponectin (r = 0.322, P < 0.05). A multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that the improvement in the FMD is associated with the plasma adiponectin (P < 0.05). The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with sitagliptin reverses vascular endothelial dysfunction, as evidenced by increase in the FMD, and improvement of the adiponectin levels (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry System as trial ID UMIN000004236).

The Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Sitagliptin Improves Vascular Endothelial Function in Type 2 Diabetes

The vascular endothelial function is impaired in the very early stage of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. The goal of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the improvement in vascular endothelial function by sitagliptin in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This study was an open-labeled prospective observational single arm trial. Forty patients were treated with 50 mg of sitagliptin once daily for 12-weeks. The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma adiponectin were measured at baseline and 12 weeks after initiating treatment. The %FMD was significantly increased after treatment (4.13 +/- 1.59 vs 5.12 +/- 1.55, P < 0.001), whereas the nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) did not change. The plasma adiponectin levels significantly increased (13.0 +/- 11.3 vs 14.3 +/- 12.8, P < 0.001). The changes in the FMD were significantly correlated with those of the plasma adiponectin (r = 0.322, P < 0.05). A multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that the improvement in the FMD is associated with the plasma adiponectin (P < 0.05). The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with sitagliptin reverses vascular endothelial dysfunction, as evidenced by increase in the FMD, and improvement of the adiponectin levels (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry System as trial ID UMIN000004236).

Sitagliptina, un inhibidor de la enzima DPP-IV, aumenta el colesterol plasmático total, altera el perfil de colesterol lipoproteico y disminuye el transporte reverso de colesterol en ratones / Sitagliptine, an DPP-IV enzyme inhibitor, raises total cholesterol and decreases reversal cholesterol transport in mice

Antecedentes: Las hormonas insulina y glucagón regulan la expresión de proteínas claves en el metabolismo lipídico. En pacientes diabéticos, la enfermedad cardiovascular ateroesclerótica es la principal causa de muerte, siendo la dislipidemia un importante factor de riesgo patogénico. La sitagliptina, un inhibidor de la enzima dipeptidilpeptidasa tipo IV (DPP-IV) que controla el metabolismo de las incretinas, es una nueva droga hipogli-cemiante utilizada para el tratamiento de la diabetes tipo 2, aunque sus implicancias en el metabolismo lipídico no han sido establecidas claramente. Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto de la sitagliptina sobre algunos parámetros relacionados con el metabolismo del colesterol en el ratón. Material y Métodos: Se utilizaron ratones C57BL6/J silvestres, siendo un grupo alimentado con dieta estándar y el otro con dieta estándar suplementada con sitagliptina (0,6 por ciento P/Pde dieta) por 8 semanas. La actividad plasmática de DPP-IV y el colesterol plasmático total y lipoproteico fueron medidos por métodos enzima-ticos. La expresión hepática de SR-BI y LDLR se cuantificó por western blot. El transporte reverso de colesterol (TRC) fue evaluado inyectando intraperitonealmente macrófagos cargados con colesterol-14C y midiendo posteriormente los niveles de 14C en plasma y deposiciones en los ratones controles o tratados con sitagliptina. Resultados: La sitagliptina inhibió en un 38 por ciento la actividad de DPP-IV medida en plasma de los ratones. El colesterol plasmático aumentó significativamente (+60 por ciento) con una elevación preferente del colesterol HDL en los ratones tratados con sitagliptina versus los animales controles. Con respecto al TRC, la sitagliptina indujo una mayor recuperación (+20 por ciento) en el plasma y una menor excresión (-30 por ciento) en las deposiciones del 14C-colesterol inyectado versus el grupo control. Finalmente, la sitagliptina disminuyó la expresión hepática de los receptores lipoproteicos ...

Background: Insulin and glucagon regulate the expression of key lipoprotein metabolism enzymes. Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the main cause of death in diabetic patients. Sitagliptine, an inhibitor of type IV dipep-tidil-peptidase (DPP-IV), controlling the metabolism of incretins, is a new hypoglycemic agent used for treatment of type II diabetes. Its effects on lipid metabolism are not clearly defined. Aim: to study the effects of sitagliptine upon parameters of cholesterol metabolism in mice. Methods: C5BL6/J mice were assigned to receive either a standard diet or one with sitagliptine supplementation (0.6 percent P/P) for 8 weeks. DPP-IV plasma, total and lipoprotein cholesterol were measured using enzyme methods. Reverse cholesterol transport was evaluated through the peritoneal injection of cholesterol loaded macrophages followed by measurement of plasma and fecall4C labeled cholesterol. Results: compared to controls, sitagliptine treated mice exhibited a 38 percent decrease in plasma DPP-IV Total plasma cholesterol increased by 60 percent with a marked increase in HDL cholesterol. Also, an increased HDL cholesterol recovered from plasma along with a 30 percent decrease in fecal cholesterol was observed Finally, sitagliptine administration was associated to a decreased LDL and SR-BI hepatic receptors. Conclusion: Sitagliptine administration is associated to increased levels of plasma cholesterol, mainly the HDL fraction, and decreased reverse cholesterol transport and fecal excretion. This effects seem to be mediated by a decreased expression of SR-BI in the liver. The expected increase in atherosclerosis associated to the atherogenic changes induced by sitagliptine should be the subject for further studies in mice.

Effects of ligustrazine on the contraction of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum strips / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate the role of ligustrazine on relaxation of the isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue in vitro, the effects of ligustrazine on the corpus cavernosum were observed by using experimental method of smooth muscle strips. Concentration-responses to phenylephine (PE) and KCl were recorded. The results showed that ligustrazine concentration-dependently depressed the contraction response of smooth muscle strips induced by PE. The maximum percentage relaxation of cavernosal strips by ligustrazine was 74.1% +/- 6.2% (compared with control: 21.9% +/- 5.6%, P < 0.01). Ligustrazine concentration-dependently reduced the amplitude of the contraction induced by cumulative doses of PE or KCl, shifted the cumulative concentration response curves of PE and KCI to the right and depressed their maximal responses. It was concluded that ligustrazine could significantly relax the cavernosal muscle contraction induced by PE in vitro. The results suggested that ligustrazine inhibited calcium ion influx.

The effects of Ligustrazine on the expression of bFGF and bFGFR in bone marrow in radiation injured mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To study the expression of the bFGF and its receptor in the mouse bone marrow by treatment with acute radioactive injury and Ligustrazine, 56 mice were divided into 3 groups: normal group, radiation-injured group and Ligustrazine group. After irradiation by 6.0 Gy 60Co gamma-ray, each mouse was orally given 0.1 ml Ligustrazine twice a day for 13 days in Ligustrazine group, and each mouse in radiation injured group was orally given equal amount of saline. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th day after irradiation, bone marrow mono-nuclear cells (BMMNC) were counted, and the expression levels of bPGF and bFGFR in bone marrow were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis respectively. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th day after irradiation, expression of bFGF in bone marrow were significantly lower than in normal group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Expressions of bFGF and bFGFR were much higher in Ligustrazine treated group than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Ligustrazine potentiate the expression of bFGF and bFGFR in bone marrow MNC to recover the bone marrow hematopoiesis inductive microenvironment, which is one of the mechanisms by which Ligustrazine rebuild the bone marrow hematopoiesis after acute radioactive injury.

The effect of ligustrazine on peritoneal transport in peritoneal dialysis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to investigate the effect of ligustrazine (Lig) i.p. on peritoneal permeability in peritoneal dialysis and its side effects, creatinine was given intravenously and continuously to maintain the high plasma creatinine level. All the rabbits were divided into three groups: normal control group (group A), group B treated with 0.12% Lig and group C treated with 0.24% Lig. The peritoneal dialysis of all rabbits lasted 2 h. The plasma and dialysate levels of glucose, protein and creatinine were observed immediate, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, 120 min after dialysis. Creastinine dialysate/plasma ratio (D/P), protein D/P ratio, glucose D/Do at different time points after dialysis and creatinine mass transfer area coefficient (MTAC) at 120 min were calculated. The structures of peritoneum were observed under optical microscope and electron microscope after continuously intraperitoneal injection of Lig for 14 days. The results showed that the 90-min and 120-min creatinine D/P ratios in the group C were higher than in the group A. The 120-min creatinine MATC in the group C was higher than in the group A. The rabbits treated with Lig did not show significant structure changes of peritoneum and signs of peritoneal irritation. It was suggested that Lig could increase mass transfer ability of peritoneum without significant side effects.

Effects of ligustrazine on hematopoiesis in the early phase of bone marrow transplantation mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate the effects of Ligustrazine on histogenesis of bone marrow in the early phase of hematopoietic reconstruction in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) mice. The syngeneic BMT mice model was established. The syngeneic BMT mice were orally given 2 mg Ligustrazine twice a day. 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 21 day(s) after BMT, peripheral blood granulocytes and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) were counted and the diameter of central vein and the area of micro-vessel in femur were measured. The effect of Ligustrazine on hematopoietic stem cells was observed by colony forming unit of spleen (CFU-S). The effect of Ligustrazine on hemopoietic progenitors was studied by observing the number of progenitors of Granulocytes/Macrophage on day 10 and day 20 after BMT. In Ligustrazine-treated group, the diameter of center veins and the area of micro-vessel of femur were all significantly less than the control group 7, 10, 15, 21 days after BMT (P < 0.01). In addition, Ligustrazine significantly increased the number of CFU-S on day 10 and the number of CFU-GM on day 10, 20 after BMT. These results indicate that Ligustrazine can accelerate the histogenesis of hemopoietic bone marrow, which may be one mechanism by which Ligustrazine promotes hematopoietic reconstitution after BMT.

Effects of phlorizin and acipimox on insulin resistance in STZ-diabetic rats

To evaluate the roles of hyperglycemia and increased plasma FFA level in the development of insulin resistance, we examined the effects of phlorizin and acipimox treatments on tissue sensitivity to insulin in streptozotocin(STZ)-diabetic rats. Insulin sensitivity was assessed with the glucose-insulin clamp technique. Blood glucose concentration was clamped at basal levels of control and diabetic states, and plasma insulin concentrations were clamped at the levels of basal, approximately 60 and approximately 1500 microU/ml. In diabetic rats, the basal blood glucose and plasma FFA levels in the fasting state were elevated, while the plasma insulin concentration was lower than in normal controls. Moreover, diabetic rats became glucose intolerant after intravenous injection of glucose. The metabolic clearance rate(MCR) of glucose showed a decrease of basal and insulin stimulated response in diabetic rats. As results of the glucose-insulin clamp study and intravenous glucose tolerance test, insulin resistance was developed in STZ-diabetic rats. Phlorizin treatment of diabetic rats recovered insulin sensitivity to nearly normal levels and improved glucose tolerance, but had no effect on insulin action in controls. Insulin sensitivity was also improved by acipimox treatment in diabetic rats, but did not reach normal levels. These results show that hyperglycemia is an obvious causative factor of insulin resistance, and increased FFA level may also act on the development of insulin resistance in STZ-diabetic rats.

Central serotonergic modulation of drinking behavior induced by water deprivation: effect of a serotonergic agonist (MK-212) administered intracerebroventricularly

The present study was carried out to evaluate the participation of the serotonergic system (5-HT) in the modulation of the drinking response induced by water deprivation. Male Wistar rats implanted with a cannula in the 3rd ventricle were injected with the 5-HT1C/5-HT2 agonist 6-chloro-2-[1-piperazinyl]-pyrazine (MK-212) at doses of 0.5, 5, 25, 50 and 125 nmol/2 µl. MK-212 induced a significant reduction (p < ou = 0.05) in water intake over a period of 300 min. This result indicates that the central 5-HT system plays an important role, probably at the level of the periventricular hypothalamus, in the modulation of drinking behavior induced by water deprivation

Central serotonergic modulation of drinking behavior induced by angiotensin II and carbachol in normally hydrated rats: effect of intracerebroventricular injection of MK-212

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of the central erotonergic (5-HT) system in the modulation of drinking behavior induced angiotensin II (Ang II) and carbachol. Male Wistar rats implanted with a delay cannula in the 3 rd ventricle were injected with the 5-HT1C/5-HT2 agonist 6-chloro-2-[1-piperazinyl]-pyrazine (MK-212) (50 nmol/2 µl) before receiving an intracerebro-ventricular (icv) injection of Ang II or carbachol (100 ng/2 µl). MK-212 induced a significant reduction in the drinking response evoked by Ang II or carbachol which was more marked in the case of the cholinergic agonist. The results obtained suggest that thirst and water intake produced by angiotensinergic or cholinergic activation are modulated by the action of 5-HT, possibly at the level of the periventricular hypothalamus

Participation of the serotonergic system in the regulation of water and electrolyte balance

To determine the possible participation of the serotonergic (5-Ht system in the regulation of water and electrolyte balance, rats were submitted to two sessions of water overloading and the 5-HT agonist MK 212 was administered intracerebroventricularly (icv) in 1.0 micronl 20 min after the second session. Urine volume and sodium and potassium excretion were measured over a priod of 120 min. Microinjection of MK-212 (1 microng/animal) caused a significant reduction (24 to 57%; mean, 43%) in natriuresis throghout the experimental period, and the administration of 10 microng/animal caused a 26-41% reduction (mean, 33%) in kaliuresis. At 20 microng/ animal, MK-212 did not change any of the parameters investigated. No significant change in urine volume was detected after any of the reatments used

Autoinhibition and desensitization of serotonergic responses in guinea pig ileum.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the autoinhibition and desensitization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) using another agonist MK-212 on guinea pig ileum. 5-HT and MK-212 produced dose dependent contractions of guinea pig ileum. The responses to MK-212 were reduced in the presence of 5-HT and vice versa. Neither 5-HT nor MK-212 produced any change in the responses to histamine, acetylcholine or KCl. Increase in Ca++ in bathing fluid reversed the desensitization produced by MK-212 or 5-HT. Our data suggest that 5-HT and MK-212 produce desensitization which is specific for serotonergic receptors and possibly involves Ca++ ions.

Failure at inducing resistance to schistosomicidal drugs in a brazilian human strain of Schistosoma mansoni

No presente estudo, realizou-se uma tentativa de induçäo de resistência a 3 drogas esquistossomicidas em uma cepa brasileira de S. mansoni, segundo o esquema de induçäo de resistência tipo II preconizado por Jansma et al. em 1977. Houve insucesso nas 3 tentativas realizadas. A geraçäo parental tratada com a droga durante o estágio imaturo do verme mostrou-se menos suscetível aos quimioterápicos do que as geraçöes F1 e F2 do verme. Uma hipótese é levantada para a explicaçäo do fato

Evidence for histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine like effects of MK-212 on guinea pig ileum, taenia coli and rat fundus strip.

MK-212 (1 x 10(-7)M -- 1 x 10(-5)M) produced dose-dependent contractions of guinea pig ileum, taenia coil and rat fundus strip. The responses to MK-212 in all three preparations were blocked competitively by cyproheptadine (1 x 10(-8)M) a 5-HT receptor antagonist. Mepyramine (1 x 10(-8)M)-H1 receptor antagonist also inhibited competitively the responses of guinea pig ileum and taenia coli to MK-212. However, it failed to block significantly the responses of rat fundus strip to MK-212. Metiamide (1 x 10(-6)M), propranolol (1 x 10(-6)M) or atropine (1 x 10(-6)M) did not produce any significant effects on MK-212 induced contractile responses of guinea pig ileum, taenia coli and rat fundus strip. Our findings suggest that MK-212 produces both 5-HT as well as histamine like effects on the guinea-pig ileum, taenia coli and rat fundus strip.