Sodium nitrite induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of SMMC-7721 cells / 药学学报

This study is to find out the induction by sodium nitrite of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, SMMC-7721. After treatment of SMMC-7721 with 0.25 - 25 mmol.L-1 sodium nitrite for 48 h, the assays used include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for evaluation of TGF-beta1, IL-6 and IL-8 level in the conditioned medium, phase-contrast microscopy for morphology observation, and scratch wound healing as well as transwell migration assays for measurement of migration and metastatic potential. Additionally, the hallmarks of EMT, p-AKT and its downstream signaling molecules were examined by Western blotting. The results showed that TGF-beta1 secreted by SMMC-7721 elevated significantly in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas the increased IL-8 and IL-6 did not show dose-dependent response. The EMT was induced by exposure of SMMC-7721 with 0.25 mmol.L-1 of sodium nitrite, which was characterized by increased level of Vimentin, decreased E-cadherin and elevated activity of migration and metastatic potential. The results suggest that sodium nitrite could induce SMMC-7721 EMT by increased secretion of TGF-beta1 and IL-8.

Experimental study of repairing fat defect with human hair keratin material / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of adipogenesis from human hair keratin (HHK) material, so as to provide a new method for fat defect and depression deformity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>3 Tibet mini-pigs were used. 8 fat defects (1.5 cm in diameter) were made bilaterally on the back. The ball-shaped HHK material was implanted to repair the defects at one side. The defects at contralateral side were as controls. The absorption of the HHK material and adipogenesis were studied histologically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>2 weeks after implantation, connective tissue and capillary grew into the porous HHK material. 4 weeks after implantation, HHK material was almost totally absorbed, leaving some material debris and foreign body granuloma. Around them, there were clusters of adipocyte. 6 weeks after implantation, the HHK material was totally degraded and the granuloma was disappeared, and then de novo adipose tissue was observed. Its volume was close to the volume of peripheral HHK material that was planted originally. 10 weeks later, the new-formed fat tissue had less fibres and was very similar to the normal fat.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>New adipose tissue can be formed after HKK material implantation. It can also be remodeled to be similar to normal fat.</p>

Correlation analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression and clinicopathology in breast cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), C-erbB-2, p53, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) in breast cancer tissue and their clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of C-erbB-2, p53, ER, and PR in 60 breast cancer tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry, and their clinical significance was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of VEGF-C, C-erbB-2, p53, ER, and PR in the 60 breast cancer tissues were 56.7%, 38.3%, 46.7%, 48.3% and 53.3%, respectively. The expressions of VEGF-C and C-erbB-2 differed significantly in relation to the lymph node status (P<0.05), but not to the patient's age or tumor volume (P>0.05). The expression of VEGF-C was positively correlated to that of C-erbB-2 (P<0.05). The expression of p53 was positively correlated to the tumor volume (P<0.05). The expressions of ER and PR were not correlated to the patient's age, tumor volume and lymph node status (P>0.05), but were inversely correlated to C-erbB-2 expression (P<0.05) independent of VEGF-C and p53 expressions (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The high expressions of VEGF-C and C-erbB-2 are closely related to lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients, and may cooperate in promoting lymph node metastasis of breast carcinoma. Combined detection of VEGF-C, C-erbB-2, p53, ER and PR may help clinical treatment and prognostic evaluation of breast cancer patients.</p>

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on ERCC1 gene expression in breast cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of ERCC1 gene in breast cancer before and after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of ERCC1 gene was detected by RT-PCR in 40 breast cancer patients and in 14 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive expression of ERCC1 gene was detected by RT-PCR in 35.0% of the breast cancer specimens, and ERCC1 expression was not correlated to the patients' age, tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, pathological type, histological grade, ER, PR or HER-2 (P>0.05). ERCC1 gene expression was significantly higher in neo-adjuvant chemotherapy group than in non-chemotherapy group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of ERCC1 gene does not affect the clinical and pathological features of breast cancer. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy can increase the expression of ERCC1 gene, due attention should be given to with in subsequent chemotherapy.</p>