Hesa-a effects on cell cycle signaling in esophageal carcinoma cell line

Background: Hesa-A is a natural compound with anticancer properties. The exact mechanism of its action in esophageal cancer is not clear, yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cell toxicity effect of Hesa-A on the esophageal carcinoma cell lines, KYSE-30, and cell cycle genes expression

Methods: In this study, we tested cell toxicity with MTT [3-[4,5-Dirnethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] assay and flow cytometry to evaluate the cell cycle arrest

Real time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of P53, PI6, P21, cyclin Dl, and cyclin Bl genes

Results: Our results showed that Hesa-A is effective in the expression of cell cycling check point proteins. Hesa-A induced an arrest in G2 phase of esophageal cell cycle. The levels of P53 [>13 times], P21 [>21 times], PI6, cyclin Bl, and cyclin Dl genes were increased 48 hours after Hesa-A treatment

Conclusion: P21 and P16 expression were the potential mechanisms for G2 arrest of KYSE-30 esophageal cancer cell line by Hesa-A

Effects of curcuma longa extract on telomerase activity in lung and breast cancer cells

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Curcuma longa extract on the telomerase gene expression in QU-DB lung cancer and T47D breast cancer cell lines. The present study is an experimental research. Using 3 different phases n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol, total extract of Curcuma longa in a serial dilution was prepared and three phases was analyzed for determining which phase has more curcuminoids. Then the extract cytotoxicity effect was tested on breast cancer cell line [T47D], and lung cancer cell line [QU-DB] by 24, 48 and 72 h MTT [Dimethyl thiazolyl diphenyl tetrazolium] assay. Then, the cells were treated with serial concentrations of the extract. Finally, total protein was extracted from the control and test groups, its quantity was determined and telomeric repeat amplification protocol [TRAP] assay was performed for measurement of possible inhibition of the telomerase activity. Cell viability and MTT-based cytotoxicity assay show that the total extract of Curcuma longa has cytotoxic effect with different IC50s in breast and lung cancer cell lines. Analysis of TRAP assay also shows a significant reduction in telomerase activity on both cancer cells with different levels. Curcuma longa extract has anti-proliferation and telomerase inhibitory effects on QU-DB lung cancer and T47D breast cancer cells with differences in levels of telomerase inhibition

Fatty Acid Composition of Tissue Cultured Breast Carcinoma and the Effect of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 Inhibition / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a novel therapeutic target in various malignancies, including breast cancer. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the pharmacologic inhibition of SCD1 on fatty acid composition in tissue explant cultures of human breast cancer and to compare these effects with those in adjacent nonneoplastic breast tissue. METHODS: Paired samples of tumor and adjacent noncancerous tissue were isolated from 12 patients with infiltrating ductal breast cancer. Samples were explant cultured in vitro, exposed to the highly selective SCD1 inhibitor CAY10566, and examined for fatty acid composition by gas liquid chromatography. The cytotoxic and antigrowth effects were evaluated by quantification of lactate dehydrogenase release and by sulforhodamine B (SRB) measurement, respectively. RESULTS: Breast cancer tissue samples were found to have higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (p<0.001) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, p<0.001) and a lower level of linoleic acid (18:2n-6, p=0.02) than the normal-appearing breast tissues. While exhibiting no evident cytotoxicity, treatment with the SCD1 inhibitor, CAY10566 (0.1-1 microM), for 48 hours significantly increased 18:2n-6 levels in both the tumor and adjacent normal-appearing tissue (approximately 1.2 fold, p<0.05). However, the breast cancer tissue samples showed significant increases in the levels of MUFA and 20:4n-6 compared to the normal-appearing breast tissues (p<0.05). The SRB growth assay revealed a higher rate of inhibition with the SCD1 inhibitor in breast cancer tissues than in normal-appearing tissues (p<0.01, 41% vs. 29%). The SCD1 inhibitor also elevated saturated fatty acid (1.46-fold, p=0.001) levels only in the tumor tissue explant. CONCLUSION: The fatty acid composition and response to SCD1 inhibition differed between the explant cultures from breast cancer and the adjacent normal-appearing tissue. Altered fatty acid composition induced by SCD1 inhibition may also, in addition to Delta9 desaturation, modulate other reactions in de novo fatty acid synthesis and lipogenesis, and subsequently affect the overall survival and progression of breast cancer.

impact of inoculation rate and order on physicochemical, microstructural and sensory attributes of probiotic doogh

Effects of inoculation level [4 or 8-fold compared to standard inoculation] and order [standard inoculation before fermentation and 3-fold inoculation at the end of fermentation = 1+3, Twofold inoculation before fermentation and the same at the end of fermentation = 2+2,2+6,4-fold before fermentation = 4, 4+4, and 8] of culture inoculums containing probiotics on viscosity, phase separation, particle size analysis, microstructure and sensory attributes of probiotic Doogh were studied. The probiotic microorganisms were Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12. Treatments with 2- and 4-fold inoculation before fermentation had the highest instrumental viscosity and surface tension at the end of fermentation. The size diameter of particles in the structure of treatment 81 was significantly [p < 0.05] smaller than I after stirring with a Lab stirrer [1500 rpm], and even after homogenization with a homogenizer [150 bar]. 81 was an un-uniform, disintegrated and clumped structure with limited junctions in its network that resulted in a weak structure with bigger particles after agitation and smaller particles after stirring and homogenization compared to other treatments. This treatment also had the lowest record in ranking sensory test among treatments with a mixed culture-like and vinegary-like taint. Overall, treatments with 2- and 4-fold inoculation were realized as the best from the sum of physiochemical and sensory properties point of view

Combined effects of inoculation level and sequence on biochemical and microbiological characteristics of probiotic doogh

The combined effects of inoculation level [4 or 8-fold compared to standard inoculation] and sequence [standard inoculation before fermentation and 3-fold inoculation at the end of fermentation=1+3, Two-fold inoculation before fermentation and the same at the end of fermentation=2+2, 2+6, 4-fold before fermentation=4, 4+4, and 8] of culture inoculum containing probiotics on biochemical and microbiological characteristics of probiotic Doogh during fermentation and over 21 days of refrigerated storage [4°C] were investigated. The probiotic microorganisms were L. acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12. Overall, the treatments 8, 4 and 4+4 resulted in the highest viability at the end of fermentation as well as at early days of refrigerated storage. During the second half of cold storage period, the greatest viability of probiotics was related to the treatment 2+6. The treatment '8' showed the shortest incubation time as well as the highest pH drop rate and acidity increase rate during fermentation and over the storage period

[Effects of knotweet or polygonum aviculare herbal extract on proliferation of HeLa cell line]

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women living in developing countries. Recently, for treatment of diseases such as cancer, herbal medicine is used as a supplementary. The aim of this study was assessment of anticancerous effects of polygonum aviculare herbal extract on Hela cervical cancer cell line. HeLa cells were cultured in RPMI - 1640 with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum in 5% Co2 and at 37 [degree sign] C in different concentrations [0, 0.005, 0.05, 0.01, 0.025, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, 0.15, 0.175, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.5, 5 mg/ml] of polygonum aviculare. For assessment of viability of cells, trypan blue staining was performed. MTT assay was used for proliferation detection. Our results showed that in 0.15, 0.20 and 0.35 mg/ml proliferation of HeLa cells decreased according to MTT assay. It was proved that polygonum aviculare had antioxidant component and could be a scavenger of free radical. Because of high production of free radicals in diseases such as cancer, the use of the herbal medicine with high amount of antioxidant could be a supplementary treatment in cancer and other diseases

Serum angiotensin converting enzyme in patients with psoriasis

Controversial data concerning the elevation of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in psoriasis are reported in the literature. In order to verify whether this abnormality exists in Iranian patients, we performed this study. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level was measured in 40 psoriatics. According to clinical forms of psoriasis, patients were further divided into three groups: common plaque type [n=24], pustular psoriasis [n=10] and erythrodermic psoriasis [n=6]. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme shows some increase in patients with psoriasis; the greatest increase in serum angiotensinconverting enzyme level was observed in patients with erythrodermic psoriasis. Our results suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme may have a role in the aetiopathogenesis of psoriasis but further studies are warranted to evaluate the possible role of this enzyme in psoriasis

Does short-term low-dose methotrexate treatment affect homocysteine blood level in patients with psoriasis?

An elevated homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. Psoriatic patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases; In addition, hyperhomocysteinemia is a complication of methotrexate treatment. We undertook a study to evaluate the plasma levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate in patients with psoriasis before and after short-term low-dose methotrexate treatment. Twenty six patients with psoriasis were recruited. The plasma levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate were evaluated before and 8 weeks after methotrexate therapy [in the peak of methotrexate effect]. No significant difference was found between the plasma profile of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate before and after methotrexate treatment. In the short-term treatment of psoriasis, methotrexate does not increase homocysteine level

Case: multiple painful nodules on the back

A 43-year-old middle-eastern woman was visited with a 15-year history of multiple painful cutaneous nodules on her back. The first lesion appeared on her back when she was 28 years old. As she aged, the lesions became larger, more numerous, and more painful with cold or physical contact. Her medical history was not significant. The patient's medications included naproxen, calcium-D, and vitamins. Her family history was notable as her brother had developed similar cutaneous lesions. Physical examination revealed more than 30 pinkish papules, measuring up to 1 cm in diameter, in a grouped arrangement on her back [Figure 1]. The complete blood cell count, serum chemistry profile, and serum erythropoietin levels were within normal limits. Abdominal ultrasonography was normal. A skin biopsy specimen was obtained from a nodule on her back [Figure 2]

Prevalence of scabies and pediculosis in Ghezel Hesar prison

Pediculosis and scabies are infectious diseases that can spread easily in overcrowded places, like prisons. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these diseases in Ghezel Hesar prison [a male prison]. For this descriptive study, 1404 prisoners in Ghezel Hesar prison were included. The prisoners were evaluated clinically by two experienced dermatologists for scabies and pediculosis. Of 1404 prisoners, 31 [2.2%] were infested with Sarcoptes scabiei and 12 [0.9%] with body louse. There were no cases of head or crab lice. All of the subjects with scabies and 83% of Pediculosis corporis infestation had intense pruritus. There was a significant reverse association between the duration of imprisonment and these diseases. Pediculosis and scabies were more common among new prisoners [p<0.001]. Scabies was more common in overcrowded cells. In Pediculosis group there were more opium addicted individuals [p<0.01]. We recommend examining the newly admitted prisoners for scabies and pediculosis by a dermatologist or a trained doctor in order to reduce the spread of these diseases

[Evaluation of hand eczema patients by performing patch test]

Various environmental factors can induce or exaggerate hand eczema. Evaluation of patch test results in hand eczema patients. In this descriptive study 100 patients with hand eczema referred to Loghman Hakim and Booali Hospital in Tehran underwent patch testing with 23 allergens obtained from Hermalcompany. 240 positive reactions observed in 86 patients. The most common positive reactions were related to nickel sulfate [30 patients, 13.5%] and potassium dichromate [28 patients, 11.7%]. In positive group 28 patients were male and 58 were female. In negative group 3 patients were male and 11 were female [P > 0.05]. The mean age was 31.7 +/- 11.9 years and 24.8 +/- 9.2 years for positive group and negative group, respectively [P < 0.05]. In positive patch test group 49 patients had subacute and 37 patients had chronic eczema. In negative patch test 11 patients had subacute eczema and 3 patients had chronic eczema [P > 0.05]. Performing patch test, the allergens involved in hand eczema can be detected. Detecting type of allergens, patients will be able to avoid those materials, which can lead to improvement of disease