Research progress of antineoplastic drugs targeting platelets / 中国药理学通报

Platelets have long been recognized as key players in hemostasis and thrombosis; however, there is growing evidence that they are also involved in cancer. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that platelets can promote tumorigenesis and metastasis through various crosstalks between platelets and cancer cells. Platelets play an active role in all stages of tumorigenesis, including tumor growth, tumor cell extravasation, and metastasis. In addition, thrombocytosis in cancer patients is associated with poor patient survival. Platelets are also well-placed to coordinate local and distant tumor-host interactions due to the a- bundance of microparticles and exosomes. Therefore, antitumor drugs targeting platelets have great development and application prospects. The following will review the research progress of anti-tumor drugs targeting platelets.

RYBP activates PARP-1 induced Parthanatos in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells and enhances response to YM155 / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the role of RYBP in activating PARP-1 dependent Parthanatos and promoting response to YM155 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. 【Methods】 CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to analyze the inhibition ratio and cell death percentage after YM155 treatment in both RYBP overexpression group and control group. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Parthanatos-related proteins. 【Results】 Compared with control group, RYBP overexpression group showed higher inhibition ratio and cell death percentage after YM155 treatment. Overexpression of RYBP activated PARP-1 with or without YM155 treatment. Besides, after YM155 treatment, KYSE170-RYBP showed more PAR accumulation in the nucleus, AIF translocation from mitochondria to the nucleus than control cells. 【Conclusion】 RYBP can activate PARP-1/PAR/AIF-dependent induced Parthanatos in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and enhance response to YM155.

THAP11 mediates the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells via inhibiting ubiquitination of p53 / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To investigate the effects of thanatos-associated protein 11 (THAP11) on the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cell and the underlying mechanism.
 Methods: Expression of THAP11 in human esophageal epithelial cells (Het-1A) and esophageal cancer cells (Eca109, TE-1, Ec 9706) were detected by Western blotting. Esophageal cancer TE-1 cells were divided into 3 groups: a normal control (NC) group, a negative control (LV-NC) group and a THAP11 (LV-THAP11) group. Then the cell proliferation were detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels were detected by caspases kits. Ubiquitination of p53 was determined in esophageal cancer TE-1 cells.
 Results: Expression of THAP11 was reduced in esophageal cancer cells compared with human esophageal epithelial cells (P<0.05). After transfection with LV-THAP11 in TE-1 cells, cell viability was reduced (P<0.05), while apoptosis rate and caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels were increased (P<0.05), indicating that THAP11 inhibited growth of esophageal cancer cells. In addition, the THAP11 increased the levels of p53 (P<0.05) and inhibited the ubiquitination of p53 regulated by MDM2. 
 Conclusion: THAP11 may inhibit the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting ubiquitination of p53.

Effect of allicin on the radiosensitivity of human pancreatic carcinoma BXPC3 cells / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To study the effect of allicin on the growth and radiosensitivity of human pancreatic carcinoma BXPC3 cells.Methods BXPC3 cells were exposed to X-rays in the presence or absence of allicin.Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry assay.Cell radiosensitivity and the influence of allicin on it was evaluated by colony formation assay.The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results IC50 values of allicin on cell growth were 76.24,58.34 and 43.58 μmol/L under 12,24 and 48 h treatment,respectively.Treatment of cells with allicin obviously inhibited cell growth after irradiation and hence increased radiosensitivity (t =2.74,P ＜ 0.05).This treament also enhanced radiation-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase (t =11.41,P ＜0.05),apoptosis induction (t =12.36,P ＜ 0.05),and Bax expression (t =4.83,P ＜ 0.05),but it decreased Bcl-2 expression (t =3.69,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Allicin could inhibit cell growth,induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 pathway and hence increases radiosensitivity of BXPC3 cells.

Research of the relationship of ubiquinone and beclin-1 and liver mitochondria / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study whether CO-Q10 can protect liver injury caused by acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) by autophagy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were separated into three groups: control group, acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) and intervenient group, liver tissues were observed by optical microscopy and electron microscopy. The levels of Beclin-1 expression were determined by real-time PCR. And Western Blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Areas of necrosis detected in intervenient group were alleviated than in ACLF significantly. Most mitochondrias had been degradated in ACLF group while alive in intervenient group. Real-time PCR and Western Blot revealed level of beclin-1 in ACLF was lower than control and intervenient group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intervenient group may ameliorate rat liver injury by promoting autophagy.</p>

The analysis of clinical character in different age patients suffered from A-H1N1 / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the feature of different age patients with A-H1N1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cross-sectional study was performed in 95 patients who were confirmed to be infected with A-H1N1 from May, 2009 to July, 2009, in according to their age.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age of patients with A-H1N1 infection was 23.44 +/- 14.73. Accumulative prevalence in children and young adult reached 74.7% of total patients. There was a trend that the subclinical infection rate raised gradually from 0-15 years group to over 45 years group. The percent of lymphocyte in 0-15 years group was significantly higher than other age groups, P = 0.039. The average time of virus shedding were 6.5 +/- 2.10 days (from 2 days to 12 days) , and there were no significant difference in diverse age groups, P = 0.272. 13 out of 95 (13.7%) patients presented complications related with A-H1N1 infection, and 4 of 6 patients complicated with pneumonia were in the 0-15 years group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distribution of age in A-H1N1 infection is markedly different from seasonal influenza, with more cases in school children and young adults and fewer cases in older adults. Flu-like symptoms in children were apparent and pneumonia was the major complication in children.</p>

Experimental study of Qishen Yiqi Dropping Pills on liver fibrosis in rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of Qishen Yiqi Dropping Pills (QYDP) in rats with liver fibrosis (LF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The LF model was induced by intraperitoneal injection with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group A, the QYDP intervened group , the model group B , and the QYDP treated group B. The degree of LF was evaluated according to 6-phase grading method. The expressions of collagen type I and III and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in liver tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and the levels of collagen type I and III and TIMP-1 mRNA determined by semi-quantitive RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group A and B, the degree of LF, the positive expressions of TIMP-1 mRNA and the content of collagen type I and III in liver tissue in the QYDP intervened and treated groups were significantly lower.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QYDP could reduce the pathological changes and degree of LF in rats, which may be partially through inhibiting the expressions of collagen type I and III and TIMP-1.</p>

Dynamic evolution of MMP-2 gene expression and its enzymatic activities in experimental liver fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To explore the dynamic changes and interactions between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 during experimental liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats were randomly allocated into a normal group and a model group. To induce liver fibrosis, rats were injected intraperitoneally with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) three consecutive times in the first week, then two consecutive times per week, totally for 6 weeks. In the normal control group, rats were injected with saline by the same method as the model group. Animals were sacrificed 1, 4, 10, 17, 28, 42, 56 days after starting DMN injections. Conventional histological examinations of the livers were performed with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. The fibrosis was classified into 0 to 4 stages. Hydroxyproline content was determined after liver tissues were hydrolyzed in HCl at 160 degree C for 2 hrs and then measured with spectrometry at 560 nm wavelength. mRNA levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were determined by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. Gelatinase activity of MMP-2 was examined by zymography using gelatin substrate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the model group the hepatic MMP-2 mRNA expression started to increase 10 days after DMN administration and remained at a much higher level than in the normal group throughout the study period, while TIMP-2 mRNA expression started to be lower than in the normal group 17 days after DMN administration and reached the lowest level on the 28th day. Then it rapidly rebounded and remained higher than that in the normal group from the 42nd day to the end of the study period. TIMP-2/MMP-2 began to be lower by several days than that of the normal group after DMN administration through the remaining study period. Zymography showed that the enzymatic activities of both latent MMP-2 and active MMP-2 were increased during the process of liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In liver fibrosis, MMP-2 expression increases, while TIMP-2 expression relatively decreases. The enzymatic activities of MMP-2 increase as the liver fibrosis develops.</p>

The effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker valsartan in preventing hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine in rats / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker valsartan in preventing hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Except rats in the control group, all were given intraperitoneal injections of 1% dimethylnitrosamine (DMN 1 ml/kg, two or three consecutive days/a week for 6 weeks). From the first day of the intraperitoneal injection, rats in treatment groups were given valsartan for 8 weeks by gastric gavage. Liver tissue and blood samples of all rats were examined at 56 days (8 weeks). AngII levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Hepatic mRNA levels of Collagen type I (Col I) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1) were evaluated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Valsartan significantly attenuated the degree of liver fibrosis and decreased the hepatic AngII content compared with DMN treated rats (P<0.01). mRNA levels of Col I and TIMP1 were upregulated in DMN treated rats compared with normal rats. Valsartan downregulated the elevation of Col I and TIMP1 mRNA levels (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hepatic AngII content of the model group was increased, the local tissue RAS was activated in DMN induced liver fibrosis. Valsartan can retard the progression of hepatic fibrosis and may provide an effective new strategy for anti-liver fibrosis therapy.</p>

Dynamic evolution of MMP-13, TIMP-1, type I and III collagen and their interaction in experimental liver fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To obtain a detailed pattern of the dynamic evolution and interactions among MMP-13, TIMP-1, type I and III collagen during experimental liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats were randomly allocated into a normal group, and a model group. To induce liver fibrosis, rats were intraperitoneally injected with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) three consecutive times in the first week, then two consecutive times per week, totally for 6 weeks. In the normal control group, rats were treated with saline by the same means. Animals were sacrificed 1, 4, 10, 17, 28, 42, 56 days after starting DMN injections. Conventional histological examinations were performed after hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson stain. Fibrosis stages were classified into 0 to 4. Hydroxyproline contents were determined after liver tissues were hydrolyzed in HCl at 160 degrees C for 2 h and then measured with spectrometry at 560 nm wavelength. mRNA levels of MMP-13, TIMP-1, type I and III collagen were determined by semi-quantitive RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the model group, hepatic type I pro-collagen mRNA expression started to increase on the 10th day after DMN administration (t = 2.85, P < 0.05), type III started to increase on the 28th day (t = 4.16, P< 0.01), and TIMP-1 mRNA expression started to increase on the 4th day (t = 2.60, P < 0.05). They all remained much higher than in the normal group throughout the remaining study period. Hepatic MMP-13 mRNA expression started to increase on the 17th day after DMN administration and remained at a higher level than in the normal group until he 28th day (t = 4.08, P < 0.01), then gradually returned to normal level at the end of the study period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Although hepatic MMP-13 expression transiently increased during liver fibrosis, enhanced expression of TIMP-1 from the early periods of liver fibrosis inhibited the collagen degrading ability of MMP-13, therefore, over-expressed collagen accumulated in the liver. Thus, it is hypothesized that TIMPs play a pivotal role in liver fibrosis.</p>