In vitro study of genistein inducing apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells via NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of genistein on apoptosis in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and the underlying mechanisms. Methods MTT as-say was used to observe the inhibitory rate on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Colony assay was used to determine the cell colony formation rate on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3,NF-κB, ERK, p-ERK, JNK and p-JNK in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with genistein. Results The results of MTT assay showed that genistein inhibited the viability of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in a time- and concentration-de-pendent manner. Colony assay suggested that genistein had an antiproliferative effect on MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression levels of Bcl-2, NF-κB and p-ERK were significantly down-regulated compared with con-trol(P < 0.01). However, the expression of Bax, caspase-3 and p-JNK was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01). Conclusions Genistein could inhibit the growth of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and induce apoptosis,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB, ERK/MAPK signaling path-ways and the activation of JNK/MAPK signaling path-way.

Rosmarinic acid derivative RAD-9 induces apoptosis in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells via PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the apoptosis-inducing effect of rosmarinic acid derivative RAD-9 on gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and the underlying mechanisms.Methods MTT assay was taken to detect the survival of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells effected by RAD-9.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The apoptotic morphology of MGC-803 cells was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining.The protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-3,Akt,p-Akt,p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot.Results The results of MTT assay showed that RAD-9 inhibited the viability of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner.Flow cytometry showed that RAD-9 significantly promoted apoptotic cell percentage in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells (P ＜ 0.01).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the nucleus of MGC-803 cells could be observed with typical apoptotic morphological changes after RAD-9 administration.Compared with the control group,the protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Akt,p-Akt were significantly down-regulated (P ＜ 0.01),while those of Bax,caspase-3,p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK were significantly up-regulated (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion RAD-9 can inhibit the growth and further induce apoptosis in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells,which may involve inhibiting PI3K/Akt and activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Incidences of aortic and mitral valve strands in patients with migraine with aura / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the potential association between valvular strands and migraine with aura.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>During a 1-year period,transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 51 consecutive patients with migraine with aura and 75 control subjects who underwent transesophageal echocardiography for other purposes and had no history of migraine. The presence of aortic and mitral valve strands was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of valvular strands was 21.5% (11/51) in migraine patients and 28.0% (21/75) in control subjects (Χ²=0.663, P=0.416). The incidence of patent foramen ovale was significantly higher in patients with migraine with aura than in control subjects (50.9% vs.29.3%) (Χ²=6.302, P=0.012). The incidence of aortic valve strands was significantly higher than that of mitral valve strands in migraine patients (Χ²=4.320,P=0.038).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Valvular strands are not associated with migraine with aura and show little clinical significance.</p>

Comparison of transthoracic contrast echocardiography and transesophageal contrast echocardiography for detecting right to left shunt in patients with petent foramen ovale / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To compare the effect of transthoracic contrast echocardiography (cTTE) with transesophageal contrast echocardiography (cTEE) for detecting right to left shunt (RLS) in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods The prospective study was conducted in 29 consecutive patients with PFO who suffered from cryptogenic stroke and/or migraine. Contrast echocardiography was performed in all 29 patients. The cTTE was performed using transducer with second harmonic imaging modality (transmitting frequency 1.7 MHz, receiving frequency 3.4 MHz). The cTEE was performed using transducer with frequency 7 MHz. Ten milliliter saline solution of contrast were rapidly administrated through an antecubital vein. According to whether microbubble (MB) appearing in left atrium after complete opaciifcation of right atrium within the ifrst 3 circles, the results were classiifed by a four-level semi-quantitative categorization:Level 1 (no PFO-RSL), no MB in left atrium; Level 2 (small PFO-RSL) 1-10 MBs; Level 3 (medium PFO-RSL) 10-30 MBs;Level 4 (large PFO-RSL)>30 MBs. Results The total detection rate of PFO-RSL was signiifcant different between cTTE and cTEE (86.2%vs 55.2%,χ2=5.711, P=0.017). In cTTE there were 4 cases at level 1, 1 case at level 2, 5 cases at level 3 and 19 cases at level 4. In cTEE there were 13 cases at leverl 1, 2 cases at level 2, 6 cases at level 3 and 7 cases at level 4. The comparison of semi-quantitative grading derived from cTTE and cTEE was also signiifcant different (Wilcoxon signed ranks test showed Z=-3.789, P=0.000). Conclusions The efifciency in detection of PFO-RLS with cTTE was better than with cTEE. Compared with cTEE, cTTE was easier in practice and brought less discomfort and complications to patients.