Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Huangqi Decoction Against Radiation-Induced Bystander Effects / Efectos Protectores y Mecanismos de la Decocción de Huangqi Contra los Efectos Secundarios Inducidos por la Radiación

SUMMARY: The 12C6+ heavy ion beam irradiation can cause bystander effects. The inflammatory cytokines, endocrine hormones and apoptotic proteins may be involved in 12C6+ irradiation-induced bystander effects. This study characterized the protective effects and mechanisms of Huangqi decoction (HQD) against 12C6+ radiation induced bystander effects. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, 12C6+ heavy ion irradiation model, and high-dose/medium-dose/low-dose HQD groups. HE staining assessed the pathological changes of brain and kidney. Peripheral blood chemical indicators as well as inflammatory factors and endocrine hormones were detected. Apoptosis was measured with TUNEL. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was determined with real-time PCR and Western blot.Irradiation induced pathological damage to the brain and kidney tissues. After irradiation, the numbers of white blood cells (WBC) and monocyte, and the expression of interleukin (IL)-2, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and PCNA decreased. The damage was accompanied by increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6, corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) as well as increased neuronal apoptosis. These effects were indicative of radiation-induced bystander effects. Administration of HQD attenuated the pathological damage to brain and kidney tissues, and increased the numbers of WBC, neutrophils, lymphocyte and monocytes, as well as the expression of IL-2, CRH and PCNA. It also decreased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, CORT and ACTH as well as neuronal apoptosis. HQD exhibits protective effects against 12C6+ radiation-induced bystander effects. The underlying mechanism may involve the promotion of the production of peripheral blood cells, inhibition of inflammatory factors and apoptosis, and regulation of endocrine hormones.

La irradiación con haz de iones pesados 12C6+ puede provocar efectos secundarios. Las citoquinas inflamatorias, las hormonas endocrinas y las proteínas apoptóticas pueden estar involucradas en los efectos secundarios inducidos por la irradiación 12C6+. Este estudio caracterizó los efectos y mecanismos protectores de la decocción de Huangqi (HQD) contra los efectos externos inducidos por la radiación 12C6+. Las ratas Wistar se dividieron aleatoriamente en grupos control, modelo de irradiación de iones pesados 12C6+ y grupos de dosis alta/media/baja de HQD. La tinción con HE evaluó los cambios patológicos del cerebro y el riñón. Se detectaron indicadores químicos de sangre periférica, así como factores inflamatorios y hormonas endocrinas. La apoptosis se midió con TUNEL. La expresión del antígeno nuclear de células en proliferación (PCNA) se determinó mediante PCR en tiempo real y transferencia Western blot. La irradiación indujo daños patológicos en los tejidos cerebrales y renales. Después de la irradiación, disminuyó el número de glóbulos blancos (WBC) y monocitos, y la expresión de interleucina (IL)-2, hormona liberadora de corticotropina (CRH) y PCNA. El daño estuvo acompañado por una mayor expresión de IL-1β, IL-6, corticosterona (CORT) y hormona adrenocorticotrópica (ACTH), así como un aumento de la apoptosis neuronal. Estas alteraciones fueron indicativas de efectos inducidos por la radiación. La administración de HQD atenuó el daño patológico a los tejidos cerebrales y renales, y aumentó el número de leucocitos y monocitos, así como la expresión de IL-2, CRH y PCNA. También disminuyó la expresión de IL-1β, IL-6, CORT y ACTH, así como la apoptosis neuronal. HQD exhibe mecanismos protectores contra los efectos externos inducidos por la radiación 12C6+. El mecanismo subyacente puede implicar la promoción de la producción de células sanguíneas periféricas, la inhibición de factores inflamatorios y la apoptosis y la regulación de hormonas endocrinas.

Immunohistochemical evidence of melatonin protection on lung tissue during chemotherapy / Evidencia inmunohistoquímica de la protección de la melatonina en el tejido pulmonar durante la quimioterapia

SUMMARY: The present study investigated the possible protective effects of melatonin on Bleomycin, Cisplatin and etoposide (BEP) chemotherapy regimens using immunohistochemistry. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of ten as; group 1 as untreated control; group 2 as BEP group which received the three cycles of 21 days' regimen each of 0.5¥ dose levels ofBEP (bleomycin 0.75 mg/kg, etoposide 7.5 mg/kg and cisplatin 1.5 mg/kg). Rats in the group 3 (MEL group) received 10 mg/kg/day melatonin once daily. Group 4 received the melatonin (30 min before the BEP injections) and BEP as in groups 2. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining was used to detect cell proliferation and caspase-3, caspase-9 and Caspase-8 were detected to investigate apoptosis. PCNA immunostaining in alveolar epithelium, alveolar macrophages and bronchus was weak to moderate in BEP group. However, diffuse and strong caspase immunoreactions for caspase-3, caspase 8- and caspase-9 were detected in the bronchioles epithelium, vascular endothelium, alveolar luminal macrophages in the BEP group. PCNA and caspase immunoreactivities in MEL and Mel + BEP groups were close to the control one. The surface are in the BEP group was significantly reduced as compared to the control one ((P0.05). It can be concluded that BEP regimen can affects negatively on lung tissue and melatonin inhibits lung tissue injuries during BEP chemotherapy.

El presente estudio investigó los posibles efectos protectores de la melatonina en los regímenes de quimioterapia con bleomicina, etopósido y cisplatino (BEP) mediante inmunohistoquímica. Cuarenta ratas Wistar macho se dividieron en cuatro grupos de diez: grupo 1, control sin tratar; grupo 2, quimioterapia con una dosis de 0,5x de BEP (0,75 mg/kg de bleomicina, 7,5 mg/ kg de etopósido y 1,5 mg/kg de cisplatino) con tres ciclos de 21 días cada uno. Las ratas del grupo 3 (grupo MEL) recibieron 10 mg/kg/día de melatonina una vez al día. El grupo 4 (Mel + BEP) recibió melatonina (30 minutos antes de las inyecciones de BEP) y BEP, como en los grupos 2. Se usó la tinción del antígeno nuclear de células en proliferación (PCNA) para detectar la proliferación celular y, caspasa- 3, caspasa-9 y caspasa-8 para investigar apoptosis. La inmunotinción de PCNA en el epitelio alveolar, los macrófagos alveolares y los bronquios varió de débil a moderada en el grupo BEP. Sin embargo, se detectaron inmunorreacciones difusas y fuertes para caspasa-3, caspasa 8- y caspasa-9 en el epitelio de los bronquiolos, endotelio vascular y macrófagos luminales alveolares. Las inmunorreactividades de PCNA y caspasa en los grupos MEL y Mel + BEP fueron similares a las del control. El área de superficie en el grupo BEP se redujo significativamente en comparación con el control (P0,05). Se puede concluir que la quimioterapia con BEP puede afectar negativamente al tejido pulmonar y la melatonina inhibe las lesiones durante la quimioterapia.

Blaps rynchopetera combined with cyclophosphamide affects proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cells via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to investigate the effects of Blaps rynchopetera Fairmaire and/or cyclophosphamide on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cells and decipher the underlying mechanism. B. rynchopetera and cyclophosphamide-containing serum and blank serum were prepared from SD rats. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was employed to examine the proliferation of lung cancer cell lines A549 and Lewis treated with corresponding agents. The Jin's formula method was used to evaluate the combined effect of the two drugs. According to the evaluation results, appropriate drug concentrations and lung cancer cell line were selected for subsequent experiments, which included control, B. rynchopetera, cyclophosphamide, B. rynchopetera + cyclophosphamide, and B. rynchopetera + Wnt/β-catenin pathway agonist lithium chloride(LiCl) groups. Immunocytochemistry was employed to measure the expression of proliferation-related proteins in Lewis cells after drug interventions. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the cell cycle and apoptosis. The expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), cyclinD1, B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-assiocated X protein(Bax), Wnt1, and β-catenin were determined by Western blot. The results showed that B. rynchopetera and/or cyclophosphamide significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 and Lewis cells. Compared with B. rynchopetera alone, the combination increased the inhibition rate on cell proliferation. The combination of B. rynchopetera and cyclophosphamide demonstrated a synergistic effect according to Jin's formula-based evaluation. Compared with the control group, the B. rynchopetera, cyclophosphamide, and B. rynchopetera + cyclophosphamide groups showed increased proportion of Lewis cells in G_0/G_1 phase, increased apoptosis rate, up-regulated expression of Bax, and down-regulated expression of PCNA, cyclinD1, Bcl-2, Wnt1, and β-catenin. Compared with the cyclophosphamide group, the combination group showed increased proportion of cells in G_0/G_1 phase, increased apoptosis rate, up-regulated expression of Bax, and down-regulated expression of PCNA, cyclinD1, Bcl-2, Wnt1, and β-catenin. Compared with the B. rynchopetera group, the B. rynchopetera + LiCl group had deceased proportion of cells in G_0/G_1 phase, decreased apoptosis rate, down-regulated expression of Bax, and up-regulated expression of PCNA, cyclinD1, Bcl-2, Wnt1, and β-catenin. The results indicated that B. rynchopetera could inhibit the proliferation, arrest the cell cycle, and induce the apoptosis of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, B. rynchopetera had a synergistic effect with cyclophosphamide.

Forkhead Box M1 Regulates the Proliferation,Invasion,and Drug Resistance of Gastric Cancer Cells via circ_NOTCH1 / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the impacts of forkhead box M1(FOXM1)on the proliferation,invasion,and drug resistance of gastric cancer cells by regulating the circular RNA circ_NOTCH1.Methods Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR were performed to determine the expression of FOXM1 protein and circ_NOTCH1,respectively,in the gastric cancer tissue,para-carcinoma tissue,human normal gastric mucosa epithelial cell line GES-1 and gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803,HGC-27,and BGC-823.BGC-823 cells were classified into the following groups:control,short hairpin RNA FOXM1(sh-FOXM1)and negative control(sh-NC),small interfering RNA circ_NOTCH1(si-circ_NOTCH1)and negative control(si-NC),and sh-FOXM1+circ_NOTCH1 overexpression plasmid(sh-FOXM1+pcDNA-circ_NOTCH1)and sh-FOXM1+negative control(sh-FOXM1+pcDNA).CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay were employed to measure the cell proliferation,and Transwell assay to measure cell invasion.After treatment with 1.0 mg/L adriamycin for 48 h,the cell resistance in each group was analyzed.Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of FOXM1,proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Bax,multi-drug resistance-associated protein 1(MRP1),and multi-drug resistance gene 1(MDR1).RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation were employed to examine the binding of circ_NOTCH1 to FOXM1 protein.Results Compared with those in the para-carcinoma tissue,the expression levels of FOXM1 protein and circ_NOTCH1 in the gastric cancer tissue were up-regulated(all P<0.001).Compared with GES-1 cells,MGC-803,HGC-27,and BGC-823 cells showed up-regulated expression levels of FOXM1 protein and circ_NOTCH1(all P<0.001).Compared with the control group and sh-NC group,the sh-FOXM1 group with down-regulated expression of FOXM1 protein and circ_NOTCH1 showed decreased optical density value,clone formation rate,cell invasion number,and cell viability,down-regulated expression of PCNA,MRP1,and MDR1,and up-regulated expression of Bax protein in BGC-823 cells(all P<0.001).Compared with the control group and the si-NC group,the si-circ_NOTCH1 group with down-regulated expression of circ_NOTCH1 showed decreased optical density value,clone formation rate,cell invasion number,and cell viability,down-regulated expression of PCNA,MRP1,and MDR1,and up-regulated expression of Bax protein in BGC-823 cells(all P<0.001).Compared with sh-FOXM1 group and sh-FOXM1+pcDNA group,the sh-FOXM1+pcDNA-circ_NOTCH1 group with up-regulated expression of circ_NOTCH1 showed increased optical density value,clone formation rate,cell invasion number,and cell viability,up-regulated expression of PCNA,MRP1,and MDR1,and down-regulated expression of Bax protein(all P<0.001).FOXM1 protein was able to interact with circ_NOTCH1.Conclusion Interference with FOXM1 may inhibit the proliferation,invasion,and drug resistance of gastric cancer cells by silencing circ_NOTCH1 expression.

Panax notoginseng saponins improve monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats by inhibiting ADAM10/Notch3 signaling pathway / 生理学报

In this study, we investigated the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on pulmonary vascular remodeling and ADAM10/Notch3 pathway in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH rat model was established, and male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, monocrotaline (MCT) group and MCT+PNS group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the control group were intraperitoneally injected with equal volume of normal saline. Rats in the MCT group was injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg MCT on the first day, and then with the same volume of normal saline every day. Rats in the MCT+PNS group was injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg MCT on the first day, and then with 50 mg/kg PNS every day. The modeling time of each group lasted for 21 days. After the model was established, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was measured by right heart catheterization technique, the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was calculated, the microscopic morphology and changes of pulmonary vascular wall were observed by HE and Masson staining, and the expressions of ADAM10, Notch3, Hes-1, P27, PCNA, Caspase-3 proteins and mRNA in pulmonary vascular tissue of rats were detected by Western blot and qPCR. The expression and localization of Notch3 and α-SMA were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The protein expression of ADAM10 was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that compared with the control group, mPAP, RVHI, pulmonary vessels and collagen fibers in the MCT group were significantly increased, the expressions of ADAM10, Notch3, Hes-1, and PCNA protein and mRNA were significantly increased, while the expressions of P27 and Caspase-3 protein and mRNA were decreased significantly. Compared with the MCT group, mPAP and RVHI were significantly decreased, pulmonary vessels were significantly improved and collagen fibers were significantly reduced, the expressions of protein and mRNA of ADAM10, Notch3, Hes-1, and PCNA were decreased in MCT+PNS group, but the expressions of protein and mRNA of P27 and Caspase-3 were increased slightly. The results of immunofluorescence showed that Notch3 and α-SMA staining could overlap, which proved that Notch3 was expressed in smooth muscle cells. The expression of Notch3 in the MCT group was increased significantly compared with that in the control group, while PNS intervention decreased the expression of Notch3. Immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the control group, the amount of ADAM10 in the MCT group was increased significantly, and the expression of ADAM10 in the MCT+PNS group was decreased compared with the MCT group. These results indicate that PNS can improve the PAH induced by MCT in rats by inhibiting ADAM10/Notch3 signaling pathway.

Effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on enamel formation of offspring mice / 中华口腔医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects of nicotine on the morphology, structure of offspring's dental germ, enamel organ and other dental tissues and the further potential epigenetic mechanisms by establishing prenatal nicotine exposure mouse model. Methods: Ten C57BL/6 pregnant mice were randomly divided into control group (physiological saline subcutaneous injection) and prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) group (nicotine subcutaneous injection) by using a random number table. Postnatal day 0 (P0), postnatal day 14 (P14) and postnatal day 25 (P25) offspring mice were collected for subsequent experiments. The offspring mice were divided into offspring control group and offspring PNE group according to the maternal group respectively. Weights of P0 and P25 offspring mice were recorded. Micro-CT, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Vickers hardness test were performed to analyze the related parameters of hard tissues including alveolar bones and mandibular incisors. Total RNAs were extracted from mandible tissues and the third generation of dental epithelial stem cells (DESC) in P25 mice. The relative expression levels of osteogenic and ameloblastic differentiation related genes were measured by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Immunohistochemical stainings of paraffin sections were then performed to observe the distribution and expression level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Pcna), amelogenin (Amelx), histone H3 trimethylated at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were used to detect the cell viabilities of DESCs after administrations of different concentrations of nicotine (0.01, 0.1, 1 mmol/L) and GSK126 (an inhibitor of histone methyltransferase Ezh2). Results: Compared with the control group, pregnant mice in PNE group were more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as significantly lower offspring body weight [P0: offspring control (1.20±0.04) g, offspring PNE (0.99±0.02) g, P<0.001; P25: offspring control (15.26±1.70) g, offspring PNE (9.65±1.32) g, P<0.001] and increased stillbirths rate [offspring control (0), offspring PNE (46.40±9.30) %, P<0.001]. At P14 and P25, the distance parameters between the enamel mineralized deposits of mandibular incisors and the mesial surface of the first molar in offspring PNE group [P14: (-1 349±45) μm; P25: (-1 192±147) μm] was significantly decreased compared with the control group [P14: (-506±380) μm, P25: (504±198) μm] (P<0.05, P<0.001). The enamel column and enamel column stroma of incisors in offspring PNE group were blurred, arranged loosely and disorderly than those in the control group, while the microhardness of incisor enamel in offspring PNE group [(245.7±18.4) MPa] was significantly lower compared to the control group [(371.9±28.7) MPa] (P<0.001). HE staining showed disordered pre-ameloblast (Pre-Am) arrangement and delayed mineralization deposition point in offspring PNE group compared with the control group, while the length of transit-amplifying cell (TA) and Pre-Am region were prolonged as well. Immunohistochemical staining results displayed that the overall Pcna (P<0.05), H3K27me3 (P<0.01), Ezh2 (P<0.01) expression of labial cervical loop (LaCL) in PNE group were increased, while the positive signal of Amelx in ameloblast cytoplasm was impaired. In vitro, the addition of 1 mmol/L nicotine could significantly upregulate the expression level of Pcna (P<0.01) and downregulate the expression levels of B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 (P<0.05), leucine rich repeats and immunoglobulin like domains 1 (P<0.05), Amelx (P<0.01). In addition, 1 mmol/L nicotine could also significantly enhance the proliferation activity of DESCs (P<0.001). Addition of 10 μmol/L GSK126, could rescue the proliferation activation effect of 1 mmol/L nicotine on DESCs. Conclusions: PNE may delay the process of enamel formation and lineage differentiation, leading to the abnormal proliferation of DESCs and changes of epigenetic modification state in H3K27me3, which affect the development of enamel in offspring mice,suggesting PNE might be one of risk environmental factor for tooth development.

Effect of platelet-derived growth factor-BB on pulmonary vascular remodeling in neonatal rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and its mechanism / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) on pulmonary vascular remodeling in neonatal rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH).@*METHODS@#A total of 128 neonatal rats were randomly divided into four groups: PDGF-BB+HPH, HPH, PDGF-BB+normal oxygen, and normal oxygen (n=32 each). The rats in the PDGF-BB+HPH and PDGF-BB+normal oxygen groups were given an injection of 13 μL 6×1010 PFU/mL adenovirus with PDGF-BB genevia the caudal vein. After 24 hours of adenovirus transfection, the rats in the HPH and PDGF-BB+HPH groups were used to establish a neonatal rat model of HPH. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 of hypoxia. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pulmonary vascular morphological changes under an optical microscope, and vascular remodeling parameters (MA% and MT%) were also measured. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression levels of PDGF-BB and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in lung tissue.@*RESULTS@#The rats in the PDGF-BB+HPH and HPH groups had a significantly higher RVSP than those of the same age in the normal oxygen group at each time point (P<0.05). The rats in the PDGF-BB+HPH group showed vascular remodeling on day 3 of hypoxia, while those in the HPH showed vascular remodeling on day 7 of hypoxia. On day 3 of hypoxia, the PDGF-BB+HPH group had significantly higher MA% and MT% than the HPH, PDGF-BB+normal oxygen, and normal oxygen groups (P<0.05). On days 7, 14, and 21 of hypoxia, the PDGF-BB+HPH and HPH groups had significantly higher MA% and MT% than the PDGF-BB+normal oxygen and normal oxygen groups (P<0.05). The PDGF-BB+HPH and HPH groups had significantly higher expression levels of PDGF-BB and PCNA than the normal oxygen group at all time points (P<0.05). On days 3, 7, and 14 of hypoxia, the PDGF-BB+HPH group had significantly higher expression levels of PDGF-BB and PCNA than the HPH group (P<0.05), while the PDGF-BB+normal oxygen group had significantly higher expression levels of PDGF-BB and PCNA than the normal oxygen group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Exogenous administration of PDGF-BB in neonatal rats with HPH may upregulate the expression of PCNA, promote pulmonary vascular remodeling, and increase pulmonary artery pressure.

Terpinen-4-ol inhibits proliferation of VSMCs exposed to high glucose via regulating KLF4/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to observe the effect of terpinen-4-ol(T4O) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) exposed to high glucose(HG) and reveal the mechanism via the Krüppel-like factor 4(KLF4)/nuclear factor kappaB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. The VSMCs were first incubated with T4O for 2 h and then cultured with HG for 48 h to establish the model of inflammatory injury. The proliferation, cell cycle, and migration rate of VSMCs were examined by MTT method, flow cytometry, and wound healing assay, respectively. The content of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in the supernatant of VSMCs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), Cyclin D1, KLF4, NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and IL-18. The KLF4 expression in VSMCs was silenced by the siRNA technology, and then the effects of T4O on the cell cycle and protein expression of the HG-induced VSMCs were observed. The results showed that different doses of T4O inhibited the HG-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, increased the percentage of cells in G_1 phase, and decreased the percentage of cells in S phase, and down-regulated the protein levels of PCNA and Cyclin D1. In addition, T4O reduced the HG-induced secretion and release of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and down-regulated the expression of KLF4, NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and IL-18. Compared with si-NC+HG, siKLF4+HG increased the percentage of cells in G_1 phase, decreased the percentage of cells in S phase, down-regulated the expression of PCNA, Cyclin D1, and KLF4, and inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Notably, the combination of silencing KLF4 with T4O treatment further promoted the changes in the above indicators. The results indicate that T4O may inhibit the HG-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs by down-regulating the level of KLF4 and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Radix Scrophulariae Extracts Exert Effect on Hyperthyroidism via MST1/Hippo Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism of Radix Scrophulariae (RS) extracts in the treatment of hyperthyroidism rats by regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of thyroid cell through the mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1)/Hippo pathway.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to a random number table: control, model group, RS, and RS+Hippo inhibitor (XMU-MP-1) groups (n=6 per group). Rats were gavaged with levothyroxine sodium tablet suspension (LST, 8 μ g/kg) for 21 days except for the control group. Afterwards, rats in the RS group were gavaged with RS extracts at the dose of 1,350 mg/kg, and rats in the RS+XMU-MP-1 group were gavaged with 1,350 mg/kg RS extracts and 1 mg/kg XMU-MP-1. After 15 days of administration, thyroid gland was taken for gross observation, and histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The structure of Golgi secretory vesicles in thyroid tissues was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) was observed by immunohistochemistry. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling assay was used to detect cell apoptosis in thyroid tissues. Real-time quantity primer chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of MST1, p-large tumor suppressor gene 1 (LATS1), p-Yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), G1/S-specific cyclin-D1 (Cyclin D1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Caspase-3, microtubule-associated proeins light chain 3 II/I (LC3-II/I), and recombinant human autophagy related 5 (ATG5). Thyroxine (T4) level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#The thyroid volume of rats in the model group was significantly increased compared to the normal control group (P<0.01), and pathological changes such as uneven size of follicular epithelial cells, disorderly arrangement, and irregular morphology occurred. The secretion of small vesicles by Golgi apparatus was reduced, and the expressions of receptor protein TSH-R and T4 were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expressions of MST1, p-LATS1, p-YAP, Caspase-3, LC3-II/I, and ATG5 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expressions of Bcl-2, PCNA, and cyclin D1 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, RS extracts reduced the volume of thyroid gland, improved pathological condition of the thyroid gland, promoted secretion of the secretory vesicles with double-layer membrane structure in thyroid Golgi, significantly inhibited the expression of TSH-R and T4 levels (P<0.01), upregulated MST1, p-LATS1, p-YAP, Caspase-3, LC3-II/I, and ATG5 expressions (P<0.01), and downregulated Bcl-2, PCNA, and Cyclin D1 expressions (P<0.01). XMU-MP-1 inhibited the intervention effects of RS extracts (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#RS extracts could inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis and autophagy in thyroid tissues through MST1/Hippo pathway for treating hyperthyroidism.

Physical exercise suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by alleviating hypoxia and attenuating cancer stemness through the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Physical exercise, a common non-drug intervention, is an important strategy in cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism remains largely unknown. Due to the importance of hypoxia and cancer stemness in the development of HCC, the present study investigated whether the anti-HCC effect of physical exercise is related to its suppression on hypoxia and cancer stemness.@*METHODS@#A physical exercise intervention of swimming (30 min/d, 5 d/week, for 4 weeks) was administered to BALB/c nude mice bearing subcutaneous human HCC tumor. The anti-HCC effect of swimming was assessed in vivo by tumor weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67. The expression of stemness transcription factors, including Nanog homeobox (NANOG), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), v-Myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (C-MYC) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), was detected using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A hypoxia probe was used to explore the intratumoral hypoxia status. Western blot was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and proteins related to protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. The IHC analysis of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), and the immunofluorescence co-location of CD31 and desmin were used to analyze tumor blood perfusion. SMMC-7721 cells were treated with nude mice serum. The inhibition effect on cancer stemness in vitro was detected using suspension sphere experiments and the expression of stemness transcription factors. The hypoxia status was inferred by measuring the protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α. Further, the expression of proteins related to Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was detected.@*RESULTS@#Swimming significantly reduced the body weight and tumor weight in nude mice bearing HCC tumor. HE staining and IHC results showed a lower necrotic area ratio as well as fewer PCNA or Ki67 positive cells in mice receiving the swimming intervention. Swimming potently alleviated the intratumoral hypoxia, attenuated the cancer stemness, and inhibited the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, the desmin+/CD31+ ratio, rather than the number of CD31+ vessels, was significantly increased in swimming-treated mice. In vitro experiments showed that treating cells with the serum from the swimming intervention mice significantly reduced the formation of SMMC-7721 cell suspension sphere, as well as the mRNA expression level of stemness transcription factors. Consistent with the in vivo results, HIF-1α and Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway were also inhibited in cells treated with serum from swimming group.@*CONCLUSION@#Swimming alleviated hypoxia and attenuated cancer stemness in HCC, through suppression of the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. The alleviation of intratumoral hypoxia was related to the increase in blood perfusion in the tumor. Please cite this article as: Xiao CL, Zhong ZP, Lü C, Guo BJ, Chen JJ, Zhao T, Yin ZF, Li B. Physical exercise suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by alleviating hypoxia and attenuating cancer stemness through the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 184-193.

Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb. Inhibits Gastric Cancer by Activation of Caspase-Dependent Mitochondrial Apoptosis / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the apoptosis and cycle arrest effects of Oldenlandia diffusa flavonoids on human gastric cancer cells, determine the action mechanisms in association with the mitochondrial dependent signal transduction pathway that controls production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and evaluate the pharmacodynamics of a mouse xenotransplantation model to provide a reference for the use of flavonoids in prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.@*METHODS@#Flavonoids were extracted by an enzymatic-ultrasonic assisted method and purified with D-101 resin. Bioactive components were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell lines MKN-45, AGS, and GES-1 were treated with different concentrations of flavonoids (64, 96, 128, 160 µg/mL). The effect of flavonoids on cell viability was evaluated by MTT method, and cell nuclear morphology was observed by Hoechst staining. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle phases were measured by flow cytometry, the production of ROS was detected by laser confocal microscope, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were observed by fluorescence microscope, and the expression of apoptotic proteins related to activation of mitochondrial pathway were measured by immunoblotting. MKN-45 cells were transplanted into BALB/c nude mice to establish a xenograft tumor model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to reveal the subcutaneous tumor tissue. The tumor volume and tumor weight were measured, the expression levels of proliferation markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of CA72-4 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#Oldenlandia diffusa flavonoids inhibited proliferation of MKN-45 and AGS human gastric cancer cells, arrested the cell cycle in G1/S phase, induced accumulation of ROS in the process of apoptosis, and altered MMP. In addition, flavonoids increased Apaf-1, Cleaved-Caspase-3, and Bax, and decreased Cyclin A, Cdk2, Bcl-2, Pro-Caspase-9, and Mitochondrial Cytochrome C (P<0.05). The MKN-45 cell mouse xenotransplantation model further clarified the growth inhibitory effect of flavonoids towards tumors. The expression levels of PCNA and Ki-67 decreased in each flavonoid dose group, the expression level of CA72-4 decreased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Flavonoids derived from Oldenlandia diffusa can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by activating the mitochondrial controlled signal transduction pathway.

Adult Rat Liver After Subchronic Acrylamide Treatment: Histological, Stereological and Biochemical Study

SUMMARY: Acrylamide (AA) is a widely used chemical and an important monomer in various industrial and laboratory processes. In addition, AA is formed during processing of starchy food at high temperature. The aim of our study was to examine effects of subchronic AA treatment on adult rat liver using histological, stereological and biochemical methods. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with AA at doses of 25 mg/kg b.w. and 50 mg/kg b.w. for three weeks. Stereological analysis showed decrease of volume density of hepatocyte cytoplasm, and increase of volume density of hepatocyte nuclei and nucleocytoplasmic ratio in AA50mg group. Immunohistochemical analysis of the liver sections showed that treatment with AA50mg increase the percentage of PCNA positive cells, while the percentage of caspase 3 positive cells was not affected by AA. PAS-staining showed that glycogen content in hepatocytes was not affected by AA. Serological examination revealed increase of lipid peroxidation in AA50mg group, while total protein concentration, protein thiol group level, as well as, paraoxonase 1 activity were not changed in AA-exposed animals. Stereological and immunohistochemical analyses of adult liver sections suggest increase of proliferation in AA50mg group, while increase of lipid peroxidation in serum of AA50mg group indicates oxidative stress induction.

La acrilamida (AA) es un químico ampliamente utilizado y un monómero importante en varios procesos industriales y de laboratorio. Además, la AA se forma durante el procesamiento de alimentos ricos en almidón a altas temperaturas. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue examinar los efectos del tratamiento con AA subcrónica en el hígado de rata adulta utilizando métodos histológicos, estereológicos y bioquímicos. Se trataron ratas Wistar macho adultas con AA a dosis de 25 mg/kg p.v. y 50 mg/kg de peso corporal por tres semanas. El análisis estereológico mostró una disminución de la densidad del volumen del citoplasma de los hepatocitos y un aumento de la densidad del volumen de los núcleos de los hepatocitos y la relación nucleocitoplasmática en el grupo de 50 mg de AA. El análisis inmunohistoquímico de las secciones de hígado mostró que el tratamiento con 50 mg de AA aumentó el porcentaje de células positivas para PCNA, mientras que el porcentaje de células positivas para caspasa 3 no se vio afectado por AA. La tinción con PAS mostró que el contenido de glucógeno en los hepatocitos no se vio afectado por AA. El examen serológico reveló un aumento de la peroxidación de lípidos en el grupo de 50 mg de AA, mientras que la concentración de proteína total, el nivel del grupo tiol de proteína y la actividad de paraoxonasa 1 no cambiaron en los animales expuestos a AA. Los análisis estereológicos e inmunohistoquímicos de secciones de hígado adulto sugieren un aumento de la proliferación en el grupo AA50 mg, mientras que el aumento de la peroxidación lipídica en suero del grupo AA50 mg indica inducción de estrés oxidativo.

Metformin improves polycystic ovary syndrome and activates female germline stem cells in mice / 生理学报

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease caused by complex endocrine and metabolic abnormalities in women of childbearing age. Metformin is the most widely used oral hypoglycemic drug in clinic. In recent years, metformin has been used in the treatment of PCOS, but its mechanism is not clear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of metformin on PCOS and its mechanism through PCOS mouse model. Female C57BL/6J mice aged 4-5 weeks were intragastrically given letrozole (1 mg/kg daily) combined with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 21 days to establish the PCOS model. After modeling, metformin (200 mg/kg daily) was intragastrically administered. One month later, the body weight and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured. Hematoxylin eosin (H&E) staining was used to detect the pathological changes of ovary. The serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), E2 and testosterone (T) were measured by ELISA. The expression of DDX4/MVH was detected by immunohistochemistry. DDX4/MVH and PCNA were co-labeled by immunofluorescence. The protein levels of DDX4/MVH, PCNA, cyclin D2, AMPK and mTOR were detected by Western blot. The results showed that after metformin treatment, the body weights of PCOS mice were gradually returned to normal, glucose tolerance was significantly improved, serum E2 levels were increased, while AMH, LH, T levels and LH/FSH ratio were decreased. Ovarian polycystic lesions were reduced with reduced atresia follicles. Furthermore, the number of proliferative female germline stem cells (FGSCs) and levels of proliferation related proteins (PCNA, cyclin D2) were significantly increased, and the p-mTOR and p-AMPK levels were markedly up-regulated. These results suggest that metformin treatment not only improves hyperandrogenemia, glucose intolerance and polycystic ovarian lesions in PCOS, but also activates the function of FGSCs. The underlying mechanism may be related to the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR. These findings provide new evidence to use metformin in the treatment of PCOS and follicular development disorder.

Regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on transformation of human skin fibroblasts / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on the transformation of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). Methods: The experimental research methods were used. HSFs were collected and divided into 200 mV/mm electric field group treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for 6 h and simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 6 h. Changes in morphology and arrangement of cells were observed in the living cell workstation; the number of cells at 0 and 6 h of treatment was recorded, and the rate of change in cell number was calculated; the direction of cell movement, movement velocity, and trajectory velocity within 3 h were observed and calculated (the number of samples was 34 in the simulated electric field group and 30 in 200 mV/mm electric field group in the aforementioned experiments); the protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in cells after 3 h of treatment was detected by immunofluorescence method (the number of sample was 3). HSFs were collected and divided into simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 3 h, and 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group which were treated with electric fields of corresponding intensities for 3 h. Besides, HSFs were divided into simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 6 h, and electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for corresponding time. The protein expressions of α-SMA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected by Western blotting (the number of sample was 3). Data were statistically analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, and least significant difference test. Results: After 6 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were elongated in shape and locally adhered; the cells in simulated electric field group were randomly arranged, while the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were arranged in a regular longitudinal direction; the change rates in the number of cells in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). Within 3 h of treatment, the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group had an obvious tendency to move toward the positive electrode, and the cells in simulated electric field group moved around the origin; compared with those in simulated electric field group, the movement velocity and trajectory velocity of the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were increased significantly (with Z values of -5.33 and -5.41, respectively, P<0.01), and the directionality was significantly enhanced (Z=-4.39, P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, the protein expression of α-SMA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group was significantly higher than that in simulated electric field group (t=-9.81, P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, the protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group were 1.195±0.057, 1.606±0.041, and 1.616±0.039, respectively, which were significantly more than 0.649±0.028 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group were 0.730±0.032, 1.561±0.031, and 1.553±0.045, respectively, significantly more than 0.464±0.020 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in electric field treatment 1 h group, the protein expressions of α-SMA in electric field treatment 3 h group and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly increased (P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in 200 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expression of PCNA of cells in 400 mV/mm electric field group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with that in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly decreased (P<0.01); compared with that in electric field treatment 1 h group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 3 h group and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in electric field treatment 3 h group, the protein expression of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 6 h group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusions: The bio-intensity electric field can induce the migration of HSFs and promote the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, and the transformation displays certain dependence on the time and intensity of electric field.

Expression of ADAMTS13 and PCNA in the placentas of gestational diabetic mothers / Expresión de ADAMTS13 y PCNA en las placentas de madres diabéticas gestacionales

SUMMARY: GDM is linked with overexpression of inflammatory cytokines and increased oxidative stress, leading to endothelial dysfunction and vascular disorder. Weaimed to examine the expression of ADAMTS13 and PCNA in the placentas of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients to investigate the effects of hypoxia, induced by GDM, on proliferation and extracellular matrix formation in the maternal and fetal placenta cells. A total of 60 placentas were collected from pregnant women admitted to the obstetrics clinic. Thirty of them were diagnosed with GDM, and 30 of them were diagnosed with non-GDM patients. Samples were fixed in 10 % formaldehyde, after routine follow-up, embedded in paraffin wax. Sections of 5 µm were cut stained with Mayer Hematoxylin-Eosin, examined under a light microscope. Sections for immunohistochemical analysis were cut and processed for antigen retrievalin citrate solution. Sections were incubated with ADAMTS13 and PCNA primary antibodies, counterstained with hematoxylin, and evaluate under a light microscope. In histopathological examination, the non-diabetic placentas showed that decidua cells in the maternal region were polygonal with oval nuclei and organized in groups. In the GDM group, there were pyknosis and apoptotic changes in decidua cell nuclei. Vacuolar areas were observed in large cavities in maternal connective tissue. Inflammation and dilatation with congestion were observed in the blood vessels of the villus. In the GDM group, positive ADAMTS13 expression was observed in the decidua cells vascular endothelial cells, and surrounding connective tissue fibroblast cells. In the GDM group, a significant increase in PCNA expression was observed in decidua cells, connective tissue cells and endothelial cells. Functional changes in ADAMTS13 proteases and PCNA were thought to induce maternal and fetal complications by stimulating extracellular matrix development.

RESUMEN: La diabetes gestacional está relacionada con la sobreexpresión de citocinas inflamatorias y aumento del estrés oxidativo, lo que lleva a una disfunción endotelial y un trastorno vascular. Nuestro objetivo fue examinar la expresión de ADAMTS13 y PCNA en las placentas con diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) para investigar los efectos de la hipoxia inducida por DMG sobre la proliferación y formación de matriz extracelular en células placentarias maternas y fetales. Se recolectaron un total de 60 placentas de mujeres embarazadas ingresadas a la consulta de obstetricia. Treinta de ellas fueron diagnosticadas con DMG y 30 diagnosticadas sin DMG. Las muestras se fijaron en formaldehído al 10 %, y luego de un seguimiento de rutina, fueron embebidas en parafina. Se cortaron secciones de 5 µm teñidas con hematoxilina-eosina de Mayer, las que fueron examinadas bajo un microscopio óptico. Se cortaron y procesaron las secciones para el análisis inmunohistoquímico para la recuperación de antígeno en solución de citrato. Las secciones se incubaron con anticuerpos primarios ADAMTS13 y PCNA, se contratiñeron con hematoxilina y se evalua- ron con un microscopio óptico. En el examen histopatológico, las placentas no diabéticas mostraron que las células de la decidua en la región materna eran poligonales con núcleos ovalados y organizadas en grupos. En el grupo de DMG, se observó picnosis y cambios apoptóticos en los núcleos de las células de la decidua. Se observaron áreas vacuolares en el tejido conectivo materno. En los vasos sanguíneos de las vellosidades se observó inflamación y dilatación con congestión. En el grupo de DMG, se observó expresión positiva de ADAMTS13 en las células de la decidua, en las células endoteliales vasculares y en los fibroblastos del tejido conectivo circundante. En el grupo de DMG se observó un aumento significativo de la expresión de PCNA en células de la decidua, células de tejido conectivo y en las células endoteliales. Se considera que los cambios funcionales en las proteasas ADAMTS13 y PCNA inducen a complicaciones maternas y fetales al estimular el desarrollo de la matriz extracelular.

Expressions of cytokeratin 14 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath of a Vps4b knockout mouse / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#The effect of Vps4b gene mutation on the expressions of cytokeratin 14 (CK14) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) is investigated.@*METHODS@#The bilateral mandibular tissues of mouse on postnatal days 5, 9, 11, 15, and 19 were removed. The mandibular first molar tissue sections were obtained after paraffin embedding. The CK14 and PCNA expressions in the epithelial root sheath of the normal mouse and Vps4b knockout mouse were compared through immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#On postnatal day 5, the normal mouse began to form HERS and had a strong positive PCNA expression in the HERS cells; on postnatal day 9, the HERS structure was continuous, and PCNA was positive in the HERS cells; on postnatal day 11, a small portion of HERS began to break, and PCNA was weakly positive in the HERS cells; on postnatal day 15, HERS continued to fracture; PCNA was weakly and positively expressed in the HERS cells on the root surface; on postnatal day 19, the tooth root reached normal physiological length, and PCNA was positively expressed in the HERS cells of the terminal part. Similar to the normal mouse, the gene knockout mouse also formed a HERS structure on postnatal day 5. However, HERS began to break on postnatal day 9. On postnatal day 19, only a few fragments of HERS were found on the root surface, and the root development was immature. Moreover, the expression intensity of PCNA in the gene knockout mouse was decreased.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The Vps4b gene mutation may change the CK14 and PCNA expressions, leading to abnormal root development.

A histological and histochemical study on the gallbladder of the Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae) / Estudio histológico e histoquímico de la vesícula biliar de Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae)

In the current study, the histological structure of the gallbladder of Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814) was investigated. Hematoxylin and eosin were used to stain the histological sections for routine examinations, in addition to using periodic acid Schiff (PAS) for the neutral mucins, aldehyde fuchsin (AF) for the sulphated mucins, and Alcian blue (AB; pH: 2.5) for the acidic mucins. In addition, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immune-staining was performed for the detection of dividing cells among the epithelium. The gallbladder of A. tarichi was composed of mucosa, muscularis, and serosa or adventitia layers. The mucosa covering the wavy pleomorphic folds was made up of tall columnar epithelium and a lamina propria. The apical surface of the epithelial cells was lined by continuous short microvilli. On the epithelium, the luminal surface was remarkably stained with PAS, AF, and AB. Slight to moderate staining was observed on the epithelial cells in the apical zone with PAS. The cytoplasm of epithelial cells were stained in a slight manner with AF. No goblet cells were observed among the epithelium. According to the PCNA immune-staining, some epithelial cells were observed to proliferate. The lamina propria consisted of loose connective tissue that contained fibrocytes, collagen and elastic fibers, capillaries, and small blood vessels. The muscularis layer displayed muscle fibers that were circular, smooth, and surrounded by collagen fibers. The subserosal and serosal or adventitial layers had typical morphology to those of other fish and vertebrates.

En este estudio, se investigó la estructura histológica de la vesícula biliar de Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814). Las secciones histológicas se tiñeron con Hematoxilina-Eosina para los exámenes de rutina, además de usar el ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS) para las mucinas neutras, aldehído fucsina (FA) para las mucinas sulfatadas y azul alcián (AB; pH: 2,5) para las mucinas ácidas. Además, se realizó una tinción inmune de antígeno nuclear de células proliferativas (PCNA) para la detección de células en división entre el epitelio. La vesícula biliar de A. tarichi estaba compuesta de capas, mucosa, muscular y serosa o adventicia. La mucosa que cubría los pliegues pleomórficos ondulados estaba formada por un epitelio columnar alto y una lámina propia. Se observó una superficie apical de las células epiteliales revestida por microvellosidades cortas y continuas. En el epitelio se observó una tinción importante de la superficie luminal teñida con PAS, FA y AB. Se observó una tinción leve a moderada en las células epiteliales en la zona apical con PAS. El citoplasma de las células epiteliales se tiñó ligeramente con FA. No se observaron células caliciformes entre el epitelio. Según la tinción de PCNA, se observó que proliferaban algunas células epiteliales. La lámina propia consistía en tejido conectivo laxo que contenía fibrocitos, colágeno y fibras elásticas, capilares y pequeños vasos sanguíneos. La capa muscular mostraba fibras musculares circulares, lisas y rodeadas de fibras de colágeno. Las capas subserosas y serosas o adventicias tenían una morfología típica a la de otros peces y vertebrados.

ARMC5 mutations are associated with high levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the presence of the serotonin receptor 5HT4R in PMAH nodules

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the morphological and functional characteristics of primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PMAH) nodules carrying or not carrying ARMC5 mutations and the consequences of the presence of mutations in terms of the pattern of macronodule composition and functional state. Subjects and methods The analyses were performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, microdissection of spongiocyte tissue and RT-qPCR of histological sections from 16 patients diagnosed with PMAH with germline (5) or germline/somatic mutations (5) and without mutations (6) in the ARMC5 gene. Results Hyperplastic nodules were predominantly composed of spongiocytes in mutated and nonmutated sections. ARMC5 mRNA expression in spongiocytes was higher in ARMC5-mutated nodules than in ARMC5-nonmutated nodules, and homogenous ARMC5 protein distribution was observed. The presence of arginine-vasopressin receptor (AVP1AR) and ectopic ACTH production were observed in both cell populations regardless of ARMC5 mutations; the numbers of serotonin receptor (5HT4R)- and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells were higher in macronodules carrying ARMC5 mutations than in those without mutations. Conclusions Our results suggest that the presence of ARMC5 mutations does not interfere with the pattern of distribution of spongiocytes and compact cells or with the presence of AVP1AR, gastric-inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) and ectopic ACTH. Nevertheless, the higher numbers of PCNA-positive cells in mutated nodules than in nonmutated nodules suggest that mutated ARMC5 can be related to higher proliferation rates in these cells. In conclusion, our results provide more information about the crosstalk among abnormal GPCRs, ectopic ACTH in steroidogenesis and the ARMC5 gene, which may be relevant in understanding the pathogenesis and diagnosis of patients with PMAH.

Histopathological study of canine sebaceous tumors and their association with PCNA expression by immunohistochemistry / Estudo histopatológico de tumores sebáceos caninos e sua associação com a expressão de PCNA por imuno-histoquímica

Sebaceous tumors are common in dogs. These tumors include both benign and malignant lesions. Immunohistochemical evaluation of these tumors can aggregate information regarding the origin and degree of malignancy of the lesions. Focusing on this matter, sixty-one samples including normal skin and sebaceous tumors were selected from dogs of various breeds and ages, with no predilection for sex, from the archive of Veterinary Pathology Service of Federal Fluminense University, Niterói/RJ, Brazil. The samples underwent to histological processing, routine staining and immunohistochemistry with anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the distribution of anti-PCNA labelling in different groups of variables. In case there were more than two groups, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was performed. The mean age of the affected animals was 10.56 years. The most affected breeds were Caniches and Cocker Spaniels, as well as mixed breed animals. There was immunostaining of PCNA in both benign and malignant tumors, as well as in hyperplasic lesions with varying intensity. Most of the tumors were neoplasms which represented 67.27% of the total sample; within these, 75.00% were benign. The most frequent neoplasm was sebaceous adenoma (37.74%). Results indicated no statistical difference in the distribution of anti-PCNA labelling between the groups of sex, age, reproductive status, localization, size of tumor, and histopathological diagnosis. Although there are not many studies analyzing anti-PCNA labelling in sebaceous tumors, several of them pointed out to the predictive value in other neoplasms. With this matter in mind, we intended to evaluate the expression of anti-PCNA in canine sebaceous tumor and a possible association with the malignancy of the lesions.

Tumores sebáceos são comuns em cães. Tais tumores incluem lesões benignas e malignas. A avaliação imunohistoquímica desses tumores pode agregar informações sobre a origem e o grau de malignidade das lesões. Para este fim, sessenta e uma amostras, incluindo pele normal e tumores sebáceos foram selecionadas de cães de várias raças e idades, sem predileção por sexo, do arquivo do Serviço de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói/RJ, Brasil. As amostras passaram por processamento histológico, coloração de rotina e imuno-histoquímica com anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas além dos testes de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney para comparar a distribuição da marcação de anti-PCNA entre grupos de variáveis. Para variáveis com mais de dois grupos, aplicou-se a Análise de Variância (ANOVA). A idade média dos animais afetados foi de 10.56 anos. As raças mais afetadas foram Caniches e Cocker Spaniel, e ainda animais sem raça definida. Houve imunomarcação de PCNA em tumores benignos, malignos, e ainda em lesões hiperplásicas com intensidade variada. A maioria dos tumores eram neoplásicos representando 67.92% do total; destes, 75.00% eram benignos. O adenoma sebáceo foi a neoplasia mais frequente (37.74%). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas distribuições de anti-PCNA entre os grupos das variáveis sexo, idade, status reprodutivo, localização e tamanho do tumor e diagnóstico histopatológico. Embora não haja estudos com anti-PCNA em tumores sebáceos caninos, numerosas publicações apontam seu valor preditivo em outras neoplasias. Com isso, a finalidade deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão de anti-PCNA em tumores sebáceos caninos e sua possível associação com a malignidade das lesões.

Histopathological study of canine sebaceous tumors and their association with PCNA expression by immunohistochemistry / Estudo histopatológico de tumores sebáceos caninos e sua associação com a expressão de PCNA por imuno-histoquímica

Sebaceous tumors are common in dogs and include benign and malignant lesions. The increase in immunohistochemical evaluation of sebaceous tumors aggregates information regarding the origin and degree of malignancy of the lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate PCNA immunohistochemical expression of  sebaceous tumors in dogs. Sixty-one samples include normal skin and sebaceous tumors were selected from dogs of various breeds and ages, no gender predilection, sent to the Veterinary Pathology Service of Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói/RJ, Brazil. Samples passed through histological processing, routine staining and immunostaining from PCNA. Descriptive statistical analysis, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Fishers exact test were performed. The mean age of the affected animals was 10.56 years. There was no sexual predilection. Breeds more frequently affected were: Poodles, mixed-breed dogs and Cocker Spaniels. Most of the tumors were neoplasms (67.27%), and 75.67% of those were benign. Sebaceous adenoma was the most frequent neoplasm (56.75%). PCNA immunoexpression was present in hyperplasia, benign and malignant tumors. No previous studies were found using PCNA antibody in sebaceous tumors of dogs. Thus, more studies are needed to provide greater clarity regarding the role of these markers on normal skin and sebaceous tumors of dogs, as well as their use as prognos

Tumores sebáceos são comuns em cães. Tais tumores incluem lesões benignas e malignas. A avaliação imunohistoquímica desses tumores pode agregar informações sobre a origem e o grau de malignidade das lesões. Para este fim, sessenta e uma amostras, incluindo pele normal e tumores sebáceos foram selecionadas de cães de várias raças e idades, sem predileção por sexo, do arquivo do Serviço de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói/RJ, Brasil. As amostras passaram por processamento histológico, coloração de rotina e imuno-histoquímica com anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas além dos testes de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney para comparar a distribuição da marcação de anti-PCNA entre grupos de variáveis. Para variáveis com mais de dois grupos, aplicou-se a Análise de Variância (ANOVA). A idade média dos animais afetados foi de 10.56 anos. As raças mais afetadas foram Caniches e Cocker Spaniel, e ainda animais sem raça definida. Houve imunomarcação de PCNA em tumores benignos, malignos, e ainda em lesões hiperplásicas com intensidade variada. A maioria dos tumores eram neoplásicos representando 67.92% do total; destes, 75.00% eram benignos. O adenoma sebáceo foi a neoplasia mais frequente (37.74%). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas distribuições de anti-PCNA entre os grupos das variáveis sexo, idade, status reprodutivo, localização e tamanho do tumor e diagnóstico histopatológico. Embora não haja estudos com anti-PCNA em tumores sebáceos caninos, numerosas publicações apontam seu valor preditivo em outras neoplasias. Com isso, a finalidade deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão de anti-PCNA em tumores sebáceos caninos e sua possível associação com a malignidade das lesões.