RESUMO
OBJECTIVE:To study the effect and its mechanism of Fuzheng Jiedu Quyu formula(short forFuzheng formula) combined with oxaliplatin (L-OHP) on human colon cancer HT-29 cell proliferation and apoptosis. METHODS:HT-29 cells were divided into blank control group(without drugs),Fuzheng formula group(1000 mg/L),L-OHP group(31.25 mg/L)and combi-nation group (1000 mg/L Fuzheng formula+31.25 mg/L L-OHP). After cultured with corresponding drug for 48 h,MTT method was used to detect the cell proliferation;the changes of cellular morphology were observed by invert microscope;flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis rate. Proapoptotic gene Bax,apoptotic gene Bcl-2 mRNA expressions were deter-mined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method;Bax,Bcl-2 protein expressions were assayed by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with blank control group,cell proliferation was inhibited in L-OHP group and combination group;cell proportion was increased in S stage,G2/M stage and decreased in G0/G1 stage(P<0.05). Cell apoptosis rate in L-OHP group,Fuzheng formula group and combination group was increased;Bax mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated,Bcl-2 mRNA expression was downregulated(P<0.05);and combination group changed more obviously than the single drug groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Fuzheng formula combined with L-OHP can inhibit HT-29 cell proliferation and promote its apoptosis, showing better effects than either of the two drugs alone. The mechanism may be associated with up-regulation of Bax gene and pro-tein expressions and down-regulation of Bcl-2 gene expressions in cells.
RESUMO
Objective To investigate the role of purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R) and its downstream target-NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the process of pancreatic fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group, CP group, P2X7R antagonist oxidized ATP (OxATP) group and brilliant blue G (BBG) group. The chronic pancreatitis model was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injection of the cholecystokinin analogue caerulein with the dose of 50μg/kg for six weeks. Normal saline, OxATP (20μL, 300μmol/L) or BBG (20μL, 10μmol/L) were administered for CP group, OxATP group and BBG group for two weeks after the last caerulein injection. Then all mice were sacrificed and the histopathological changes of the pancreas, especially the fibrotic degrees were evaluated by HE stain, fibrosis score, Sirius red staining and α-SMA immunohistochemical stain. The pancreatic P2X7R, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry respectively to compare the changes between the groups, and explore the role of P2X7R-NLRP3 signaling pathway in pancreatic fibrosis. Results Compared with the normal control group, the scores of pancreatic fibrosis and the expressions of P2X7R, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in pancreas were significantly increased in CP model group (P<0.05). Compare to CP group, the pancreatic chronic inflammation and the fibrosis indices such as HE fibrosis score, Sirius red staining and α-SMA immunohistochemical stain were ameliorated obviously in OxATP and BBG groups (P<0.05). And expressions of P2X7R, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the pancreas were allreduced greatly in both OxATP and BBG groups (P<0.05). Conclusion P2X7R antagonist OxATP and BBG can significantly decrease pancreatic chronic inflammation and fibrosis in the mouse model of CP, which suggests that the blockade of P 2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for CP and its fibrotic process.