Triptolide induces apoptosis through extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in human osteosarcoma U2OS cells.

Triptolide, a diterpene derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f., a Chinese medicinal herb, has been reported to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various human cancer cells, but its anticancer effects on human osteosarcoma cells have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether triptolide induces apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We firstly demonstrated that triptolide inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in U2OS cells. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of procaspase-8, -9, Bcl-2, Bid and mitochondrial cytochrome c were downregulated in triptolide-treated U2OS cells, whereas the levels of Fas, FasL, Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP were upregulated. These results suggest that triptolide induces apoptosis in U2OS cells by activating both death receptor and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.

Evaluation of plasma leptin levels & BMI as predictor of postpartum weight retention.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Plasma leptin level during pregnancy has been reported as a biochemical predictor of postpartum weight retention. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between pregnancy-related factors including plasma leptin and postpartum weight retention in Korean women. METHODS: A convenience sampling method was used among women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic in Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, between March 2002 and February 2003. We investigated 75 women during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum. Plasma leptin levels were measured using an ELISA. The weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention, and the correlation between the plasma leptin levels and body weight were evaluated. RESULTS: The plasma leptin levels at the 1(st) trimester and body weight at 24 wk of gestation, 6 wk, and 6 months postpartum differed significantly between the underweight and overweight groups and between the normal and overweight groups. Plasma leptin levels during the first trimester correlated with the initial BMI at first visit and term, and body weight at term, while the initial BMI significantly correlated with the body weight at term, 6 months postpartum, and 6 months postpartum. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the plasma leptin level in the first trimester is a predictor of maternal weight at term, while initial BMI is a better predictor of maternal weight at 6 wk and 6 months postpartum. Further, postpartum weight retention was more dependent on first pre-natal visit factors rather than weight changes during pregnancy. Anthropometric measures at first pre-natal visit to prevent postpartum obesity can be recommended.

Evaluation of plasma leptin levels & BMI as predictor of postpartum weight retention.

Background & objectives: Plasma leptin level during pregnancy has been reported as a biochemical predictor of postpartum weight retention. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between pregnancy-related factors including plasma leptin and postpartum weight retention in Korean women. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used among women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic in Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, between March 2002 and February 2003. We investigated 75 women during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum. Plasma leptin levels were measured using an ELISA. The weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention, and the correlation between the plasma leptin levels and body weight were evaluated. Results: The plasma leptin levels at the 1st trimester and body weight at 24 wk of gestation, 6 wk, and 6 months postpartum differed significantly between the underweight and overweight groups and between the normal and overweight groups. Plasma leptin levels during the first trimester correlated with the initial BMI at first visit and term, and body weight at term, while the initial BMI significantly correlated with the body weight at term, 6 months postpartum, and 6 months postpartum. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings suggest that the plasma leptin level in the first trimester is a predictor of maternal weight at term, while initial BMI is a better predictor of maternal weight at 6 wk and 6 months postpartum. Further, postpartum weight retention was more dependent on first pre-natal visit factors rather than weight changes during pregnancy. Anthropometric measures at first pre-natal visit to prevent postpartum obesity can be recommended.