Diallyl disulfide augments sensitivity of DJ-1 overexpressed human gastric cells to 5-FU / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate whether diallyl disul-fide (DADS) augments the sensitivity of DJ-1 (protein/ nucleic acid deglycase) overexpressed human gastric SGC7901 cells to 5-FU (5-fluorouracil). Methods The experimental groups include control group, DADS group, VCR (vincristine) group, VCR + DADS group, DJ-1 group, DJ-1 + DADS group. MTT was used to analyze the effect of DADS on 5 -FU (5 -fluorou- racil) induced proliferation inhibition. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the effect of DADS on cell apoptosis. RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluo-rescence were used for determine the effect of DADS on the drug resistance associated gene expression. Results DADS enhanced the proliferation inhibitory effect of 5-FU on DJ-1 overexpressed cells and VCR resistant cells. DADS could induce apoptosis in VCR-resistant cells. DADS downregulated the expression of DJ-1 while inducing apoptosis in DJ-1 overexpressed cells. DJ-1 overexpression upregulated the expression of P-gp (P-glycoprotein), Bcl-2, and XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein), downregulated the expression of caspase-3. DADS decreased the expression of P-gp, Bcl-2, and XIAP, while increased the expression of caspase-3 in DJ-1 overexpressed cells and VCR-resistant cells. Conclusions DADS can augment the sensitivity of DJ-1 overexpressed cells to 5-FU, which is related to its antagonism against DJ-1 mediated upregula- tion of P-gp, Bcl-2, XIAP, and downregulation of caspase-3.

Magnolol and 5-fluorouracil synergy inhibition of metastasis of cervical cancer cells by targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and EMT pathways / 中草药·英文版

OBJECTIVE@#This study is designed to investigate the mode of action of the synergistic effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and magnolol against cervical cancer.@*METHODS@#Network pharmacological approach was applied to predict the molecular mechanism of 5-FU combined with magnolol against cervical cancer. CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, immunofluorescence staining, adhesion assay, wound healing mobility assay, cell migration and invasion assay and Western blot analysis were conducted to validate the results of in silico study.@*RESULTS@#Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway was identified as the key pathway in silico study. The experimental results showed that 5-FU combined with magnolol strongly inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation, induced the morphological change of HeLa cells by down-regulating the expression of α-actinin, tensin-2 and vinculin. Moreover, magnolol enhanced inhibitory effect of 5-FU on the cell adhesion, migration and invasion. The phosphorylation of AKT and PI3K and the expression of mTOR were strongly inhibited by the combination of 5-FU and magnolol. Moreover, the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was upregulated and the expression of Snail, Slug and vimentin was down-regulated by the 5-FU together with magnolol.@*CONCLUSION@#Taken together, this study suggests that 5-FU combined with magnolol exerts a synergistic anti-cervical cancer effect by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathways.

Synthesis and biological activities of chlorin e6-based conjugate of fluorouracil as dual-mode antitumor photosensitizer / 药学实践杂志

Objective To design and synthesize the conjugate (compound 1) of chlorin e6 (compound 3) with fluorouracil (5-Fu) as novel pH-responsive dual-mode antitumor photosensitizer by acyl hydrazone bond coupling, based on literature reports that combination of 5-Fu and photosensitizer possess synergistic anti-tumor effect, and investigate its photodynamic antitumor activity and mechanism. Methods Lead compound 3 was obtained by alkali degradation with 25% KOH-CH3OH on pheophorbide a (compound 4) which was prepared through acid hydrolysis of chlorophyll a in crude chlorophyll extracts from silkworm excrement. Reflux reaction of 5-Fu with P2S5 in pyridine formed crude 4-thio-5-fluorouracil which was followed to react with hydrazine hydrate (N2H4·H2O) in CH3OH to give 5-fluorouracil-4-hydrazone (compound 2). Then, treatment of compound 3 i.e. acid alkali degradation product of chlorophyll a in silkworm excrement with EDC·HCl generated its 171- and 152 cyclic anhydride which was followed to directly react with intermediate compound 2 to successfully get title compound 1. In addition, its pH-responsive 5-Fu release and photodynamic antitumor activity and their mechanisms in vitro were investigated. Results Compound 1 could responsively release 5-Fu at pH 5.0, with a cumulative release rate of 60.3% within 24 h. It exhibited much higher phototoxicity against melanoma B16-F10 and liver cancer HepG2 cells than talaporfin and its precursor compound 3, with IC50 value being 0.73 μmol/L for B16-F10 cells and 0.90 μmol/L for HepG2 cells, respectively. Upon light irradiation, it also could significantly induce cell apoptosis and intracellular ROS level and block cell cycle in S phase. Its structure was confirmed by UV, 1H-NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis data. Conclusion The conjugate compound 1 of compound 3 and 5-Fu has the advantages of strong PDT anticancer activity, high therapeutic index (i.e. dark toxicity/phototoxicity ratio) and responsively release 5-Fu at pH 5.0 etc. which shows “unimolecular” dual antitumor effects of PDT and chemotherapy and is worthy of further research and development.

Mechanism of HMGB1 in scarring after glaucoma drainage valve implantation / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore the dynamic expression of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)in scar tissues after glaucoma drainage valve implantation, and to further reveal the role and possible mechanism of HMGB1 in scarring after glaucoma surgery.METHODS: A total of 60 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group(n=20), model group(n=20, silicone implantation under conjunctival sac)and model with drug administration group(n=20, silicone implantation under conjunctival sac combined with 5-fluorouracil injection). The conjunctival tissues were collected at 4 and 8 wk after surgery. HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the proliferation and distribution of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in conjunctival tissues. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect the distribution and changes of HMGB1, transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1, Smad3 and α-smooth muscle actin(SMA)in conjunctival tissues. RT-PCR and Western blot were adopted to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in conjunctival tissues.RESULTS: HE staining and Masson staining showed that the proliferation of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group at both 4 and 8 wk. Meanwhile, the proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the model with drug administration group was significantly lower than that in the model group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA protein was observed in the conjunctival tissues of the model group both 4 and 8 wk, with brown and significantly deeper staining of the model group at 8 wk. Meanwhile, the positive staining in the model with drug administration group at both 4 and 8 wk was significantly lower than that in the model group. There was positive correlations between the number of fibroblasts stained with HE and the expression of HMGB1 in the conjunctival tissue of the model group at both 4 and 8 wk(r=0.602, 0.703, all P<0.05). RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group at both 4 and 8 wk(all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in the model with drug administration group were significantly lower than those in the model group(all P<0.05). There was positive correlations between mRNA expressions of HMGB1 and TGF-β1, Smad3 in the model group and the model with drug administration group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The expression of HMGB1 increased at a time-dependent manner after glaucoma valve implantation. HMGB1 acts an indispensable role in the initiation and progression of scar formation after glaucoma surgery, which may be involved in the regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

Protective Autophagy in 5-Fluorouracil-Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells and ERK-RSK-ABCG2 Linkage / Autofagia Protectora en Células de Cáncer Colorrectal Resistentes al 5-Fluorouracilo y Enlace ERK-RSK-ABCG2

SUMMARY: To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of yeast extract on resistant cells, autophagy and necroptosis were investigated in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant colorectal cancer cells. Further underlying characteristics on drug resistance were evaluated, focused on ERK-RSK-ABCG2 linkage. SNU-C5 and 5-FU resistant SNU-C5 (SNU-C5/5-FUR) colorectal cancer cells were adopted for cell viability assay and Western blotting to examine the anti-cancer effects of yeast extract. Yeast extract induced autophagy in SNU-C5 cells with increased Atg7, Atg12-5 complex, Atg16L1, and LC3 activation (LC3-II/LC3-I), but little effects in SNU-C5/5-FUR cells with increased Atg12-5 complex and Atg16L1. Both colorectal cancer cells did not show necroptosis after yeast extract treatment. Based on increased ABCG2 and RSK expression after yeast extract treatment, drug resistance mechanisms were further evaluated. As compared to wild type, SNU-C5/5-FUR cells showed more ABCG2 expression, less RSK expression, and less phosphorylation of ERK. ABCG2 inhibitor, Ko143, treatment induces following changes: 1) more sensitivity at 500 mM 5-FU, 2) augmented proliferation, and 3) less phosphorylation of ERK. These results suggest that protective autophagy in SNU-C5/5-FUR cells with increased ABCG2 expression might be candidate mechanisms for drug resistance. As the ERK responses were different from each stimulus, the feasible mechanisms among ERK-RSK-ABCG2 should be further investigated in 5-FU-resistant CRC cells.

Para evaluar los efectos anticancerígenos del extracto de levadura en células resistentes, se investigaron la autofagia y la necroptosis en células de cáncer colorrectal resistentes al 5-fluorouracilo (5-FU). Además se evaluaron otras características subyacentes de la resistencia a los medicamentos centrándose en el enlace ERK-RSK-ABCG2. Se usaron células de cáncer colorrectal SNU-C5 (SNU-C5/5-FUR) resistentes a SNU-C5 y 5- FU para el ensayo de viabilidad celular y la transferencia Western para examinar los efectos anticancerígenos del extracto de levadura. El extracto de levadura indujo autofagia en células SNU-C5 con mayor activación de Atg7, complejo Atg12-5, Atg16L1 y LC3 (LC3-II/LC3-I), pero pocos efectos en células SNU-C5/5-FUR con aumento de Atg12-5 complejo y Atg16L1. Ambas células de cáncer colorrectal no mostraron necroptosis después del tratamiento con extracto de levadura. Se evaluaron los mecanismos de resistencia a los medicamentos. en base al aumento de la expresión de ABCG2 y RSK después del tratamiento con extracto de levadura.En comparación con las de tipo salvaje, las células SNU-C5/5-FUR mostraron más expresión de ABCG2, menos expresión de RSK y menos fosforilación de ERK. El tratamiento con inhibidor de ABCG2, Ko143, induce los siguientes cambios: 1) más sensibilidad a 5-FU 500 mM, 2) proliferación aumentada y 3) menos fosforilación de ERK. Estos resultados sugieren que la autofagia protectora en células SNU-C5/5-FUR con mayor expresión de ABCG2 podría ser un mecanismo candidato para la resistencia a los medicamentos. Como las respuestas de ERK fueron diferentes de cada estímulo, los mecanismos factibles entre ERK-RSK- ABCG2 deberían investigarse más a fondo en células CCR resistentes a 5-FU.

Uma Causa Rara e Tratamento da Fibrilação Ventricular: Toxicidade do 5-Fluorouracil / A Rare Cause and Management of Ventricular Fibrillation: 5-Fluorouracil Toxicity

Resumo Um homem de 65 anos com histórico de carcinoma de língua procurou o pronto-socorro com contrações insensíveis estando em casa. Ele estava em terapia com 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) na época. O paciente foi desfibrilado e intubado porque a fibrilação ventricular (FV) se desenvolveu durante o monitoramento no pronto-socorro. A ecocardiografia mostrou que a fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) era de 70% e a espessura do septo interventricular era de 15 mm. A angiografia coronária não revelou qualquer estenose crítica. A ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) não mostrou anormalidade de perfusão, fibrose ou cicatriz sugestiva de envolvimento cardíaco. Foi sugerido que a arritmia do paciente estava relacionada principalmente à cardiotoxicidade induzida pelo 5-FU. O fato de as causas secundárias terem sido proeminentes em nosso caso, de nenhuma patologia cardíaca óbvia que pudesse causar arritmia ter sido encontrada no exame detalhado e de a arritmia não ter recorrido durante a internação hospitalar, que durou até 15 dias, nos levou a acreditar que esse paciente poderia receber alta sem um cardioversor-desfibrilador implantável. Nosso caso foi apresentado para contribuir com a literatura.

Treatment outcomes of alternating chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a single-center safety and efficacy study

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Alternating Chemoradiotherapy (ACRT) using cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods This was a retrospective study in which patients' clinical records were reviewed to identify patients with a new diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at our institution between January 2005 and January 2019. Thirty-seven eligible patients were identified; of these, the clinical details of 27 patients treated with ACRT were evaluated. Patient outcomes, including overall survival and progression-free survival, and adverse events were assessed. Results Of these initial 37 patients, 1, 10, 13, 10, and 3 were staged as I, II, III, IVA, and IVB, respectively, as defined by the 8th edition of the TNM classification system. Twenty-seven patients received ACRT comprising sequential administration of chemotherapy, radiotherapy (wide field), chemotherapy, radiotherapy (shrinking field), and chemotherapy. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 83.7% and 88.9%, respectively. Treatment compliance was 93%, which is comparable to that of previous reports. Conclusion ACRT using cisplating and 5-fluorouracil was well tolerated with acceptable efficacy. Level of Evidence IVa

5-Fluorouracil as a targeted lacrimal gland therapy for chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A pilot study

Purpose: The surgical technique of periglandular 5?fluorouracil (5?FU) injection and its effects on the morphology and function of the main lacrimal gland of patients with severe dry eye disease due to Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) are reported. Methods: 5?FU, as a potential antifibrotic agent, is given in the dose of 0.1 ml (50 mg/ml), subconjunctivally into the periglandular fibrosed area of the palpebral lobe of the main lacrimal gland. The injection is given using 30G needle into the subconjunctival plane and not into the substance of palpebral lobe. Results: Eight eyes (eight lobes) of seven chronic SJS patients (mean age, 32.5 years, <5 mm Schirmer) received the injection. All eight lobes demonstrated a visible reduction in the conjunctival congestion and scarring over the lobar area. The mean OSDI scoring improved from 65.3 to 51.1. Three patients with mean pre?injection Schirmer I values of 4 mm showed a mean change of 1 mm at four weeks following a single injection. The tear flow rate per lobe for the above three patients improved from 0.22, 0.12, and 0.16 ?l/min to 0.31, 0.12, and 0.21 ?l/min, respectively. Another patient with pre?injection Schirmer of 4 mm showed no change in tear flow. Three eyes with zero baseline Schirmer values (no visible secretory opening) had no improvement in tearing or ocular surface staining. Conclusion: Local 5?FU injection alters morphology of the conjunctiva overlying the palpebral lobe in SJS patients, but fails to show any significant effect on tear secretion.

Adjuvant effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract Surgical procedures, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, individually or in association, are current oncological treatments. Among the most used chemotherapy drugs, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) is an antimetabolite with a broad spectrum of action. This study evaluated the effects of probiotics (PRO) as an adjuvant to the treatment of experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats immunosuppressed with 5FU. Methodology 108 rats were randomly allocated to six different groups: EP; SS - systemic treatment with saline solution (SS); 5FU - systemic treatment with 5FU; 5FU+PRO - systemic treatment with 5FU, followed by the local administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; 5FU+SRP - systemic treatment with 5-FU, followed by scaling and root planing (SRP); and 5FU+SRP+PRO - systemic treatment with 5FU followed by local treatments with SRP and PRO. Immunosuppression was obtained at two points: at the time of ligature installation and after 48 h. Six animals from each group were euthanized at seven, 15, and 30 d and hemimandibles were collected and processed for histopathological, histometric, and immunohistochemical analysis. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (α=5%). Results At 7 d, the 5FU+PRO group showed less bone resorption and better structured connective tissue compared with the EP, SS, 5FU+SRP, and 5FU+SRP+PRO groups. At 15 d, the 5FU+SRP group showed a greater intensity of the inflammatory response (p<0.05). At 30 d, the 5FU+SRP+PRO group showed better structured bone tissue and a higher percentage of bone tissue (PBT) than the EP, SS, 5FU, and 5FU+PRO groups (p<0.05). Conclusion The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as monotherapy or as an adjuvant to periodontal therapy may have a positive effect on bone repair in immunosuppressed conditions.

Spectrum-effect relationship of total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds against fluorouracil-induced liver injury in mice / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the spectrum-effect relationship between the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds and fluorouracil (5-Fu)-induced liver injury in mice and identify the effective components in the extract.@*METHODS@#A mouse model of liver injury was established by intraperitoneal injection of 5-Fu, with bifendate as the positive control. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver tissue were detected to investigate the effect of the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg) on liver injury induced by 5-Fu. HPLC fingerprints of 10 batches of the total anthraquinone extracts were established to analyze the spectrum- effectiveness of the extract against 5- Fu- induced liver injury in mice and screen the effective components using the grey correlation method.@*RESULTS@#The 5- Fu- treated mice showed significant differences in liver function parameters from the normal control mice (P < 0.05), suggesting successful modelling. Compared with those in the model group, serum ALT and AST activities were decreased, SOD and T- AOC activities significantly increased, and MPO level was significantly lowered in the mice treated with the total anthraquinone extract (all P < 0.05). HPLC fingerprints of the 31 components in the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds showed good correlations with the potency index of 5-Fu-induced liver injury but with varying correlation strengths. The top 15 components with known correlations included aurantio-obtusina (peak 6), rhein (peak 11), emodin (peak 22), chrysophanol (peak 29) and physcion (peak 30).@*CONCLUSION@#The effective components in the total anthraquinone extract of Cassia seeds, including aurantio-obtusina, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion, are coordinated to produce protective effects against 5-Fu-induced liver injury in mice.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide promotes stress erythropoiesis in mice caused by 5-FU / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) antagonizing 5-fluorou-raeil (5-FU) on spleen stress erythropoiesis in mice and its related mechanism. Methods C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into control group, ASP group, 5-FU group and ASP + 5-FU group. The mouse body weight during the modeling pe-riod was recorded, and peripheral blood routine and the number of mononuclear cells in the bone marrow of femur were measured. Histopathology of spleen was de-tected, also the index and cellularity of spleen were analyzed. BFU-E of spleen mononuclear cells was counted. The number of F4/80

Astragalus polysaccharide inhibits IDO1 expression in colon tumor microenvironment to increase intratumoral CD8~+ T cell infiltration / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of Astragalus polysaccharide(APS) and APS combined with 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) on indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase(IDO1) in the colon tumor microenvironment. Sixty Balb/c mice were randomized into a blank group, a model group, an APS group, an APS + 5-FU group, an APS + low-dose 5-FU group, and a 5-FU group. A tumor model was established by subcutaneous transplantation with CT-26 mouse colon cancer cells in other groups except the blank group. After successful modeling, each group was treated with corresponding drugs for 7 days. The general condition, body weight, and tumor volume of the mice were observed and measured daily during the treatment period. The mice were sacrificed at the end of treatment, and the tumor suppression rate and spleen index of the mice were calculated. Western blot and fluorescence quantitative PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of IDO1 in the tumor tissue of mice. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the levels of tryptophan(Trp) and kynurenine(Kyn) in the tumor tissue of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed to observe the histological changes of the tumor tissue, and immunohistochemistry to detect the changes of CD4 and CD8 expression in the tumor tissue. Compared with that in the model group, the tumor volume of mice in each treatment group significantly reduced. The body weights of mice in APS + 5-FU group and 5-FU group significantly reduced from day 4 to day 7 of treatment. In addition, the APS + 5-FU group and 5-FU group showed significantly decreased spleen index. The protein and mRNA levels of IDO1 were significantly down-regulated in the APS, APS + 5-FU, and APS + low-dose 5-FU groups. The drug interventions significantly increased the Trp content and decreased the Kyn content. The APS + 5-FU group showed significantly reduced infiltration of CD4~+ T lymphocytes and increased infiltration of CD8~+ T lymphocytes. APS inhibited the expression of IDO1 in the colon tumor microenvironment to increase CD8~+ T lymphocyte infiltration, and the combination of APS with 5-FU demonstrated better effect.

Application of 5-fluorouracil and bandage contact lens in pterygium excision combined with autogenous limbal stem cell transplantation / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To assess the clinical efficacy of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)and bandage contact lens in the pterygium excision combined with autogenous limbal stem cell transplantation(ALSCT)in treating patients with pterygium.METHODS:Random controlled clinical trial. A total of 71 patients(71 eyes)of pterygium who treated at the department of ophthalmology in Qinhuangdao Haigang Hospital between May 2021 and November 2022 were included. They were divide into three groups, including 23 eyes received pterygium excision combined with ALSCT in group A, 24 eyes that were administered with 5-FU intraoperatively and postoperatively in group B, and 24 eyes that received both bandage contact lens and 5-FU in group C. Furthermore, comfort levels at 1, 3, 7, 14d postoperatively, corneal epithelial healing at 1, 3, 7, 14d and 1mo postoperatively, treatment outcomes and complications at 3～6mo postoperatively were compared among the three groups of patients.RESULTS:The comfort levels at 1, 3 and 7d postoperatively and corneal healing at 1 and 3d postoperatively of the group C were better than those of the groups A and B. There were no statistical significant differences in the comfort levels at 14d after surgery and corneal healing at 14d and 1mo after surgery among the three groups of patients. Over a 3～6mo follow-up period, group A experienced recurrence in 3 eyes, group B had 1 recurrence, while group C had no recurrence. There were no statistically significant differences in complication rates among the three groups of patients.CONCLUSIONS: The application of 5-FU combined with bandage contact lens can enhance postoperative comfort levels, promote corneal epithelial healing, and improve the success rate in pterygium excision combined with ALSCT.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A inhibits proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer cells through Akt/mTOR-autophagy pathway / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer(CRC) has made great progress, but chemoresistance is still one of the main reasons for reducing the survival rate of patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, ameliorating chemotherapy resis-tance is an urgent problem to be solved. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulatory role and related molecular mechanisms of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) in colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) chemoresistance. In this study, HCT116 and HT-29 cells were used as research subjects. Firstly, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay and colony formation assay were used to detect and analyze the effect of HSYA on the proliferation of CRC cells. Secondly, the effect of HSYA on the cell cycle in CRC cells was analyzed by cell cycle assay. Furthermore, the effect of HSYA on the migration of CRC cells was analyzed by wound-healing assay and Transwell assay. Based on the above, the influences of HSYA on 5-FU chemoresistance of CRC cells and related molecular mechanisms were explored and analyzed. The results showed that HSYA significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of CRC cells, and arrested the cell cycle in G_0/G_1 phase. In addition, HSYA significantly ameliorated the chemoresistance of CRC cells to 5-FU. The results of acridine orange staining and Western blot showed that the autophagy activity of CRC cells in the HSYA and 5-FU combined treatment group was significantly higher than that in the 5-FU single drug treatment group. As compared with the 5-FU single drug treatment group, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B(Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) in the HSYA and 5-FU combined treatment group were significantly reduced, indicating that the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in the combined treatment group was down-regulated in CRC cells. In conclusion, HSYA may upregulate autophagy activity through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and migration of CRC cells and ameliorating the chemoresistance to 5-FU.

Curcuma longa extract protects against 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters

Abstract Curcumin, contained at Turmeric (Curcumalonga), can exert many beneficial pleiotropic activities in the gastrointestinal tract. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of C. longa on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced oral mucositis (OM) in hamsters. Phytochemical analysis of crude C. longa extract (CLE) was performed to detect the presence of curcumin by TLC and HPLC. Golden Syrian hamsters were orally pre-treated with CLE (5, 50, or 100mg/kg). Cheek pouch samples were subjected to macroscopic and histopathological evaluation. ELISA was performed to quantify the inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy analysis. Behavior analysis was conducted by the open field test. Curcumin content in the CLE was 0.55%m/m ± 0.0161 (2.84%). The group treated with 5mg/kg CLE showed healing evidence with macroscopic absence of ulceration (p<0.05) and microscopic aspect of re-epithelialization, discrete inflammatory infiltrate and absence of edema. Treatment with 5mg/kg CLE significantly increased GSH levels, and reduced MDA levels and SOD activity (p˂0.05), and decreased IL-1ß (p˂0.05) and TNF-α (p˂0.01) levels. A significant reduction in walking distance, ambulation, speed, and rearing was observed for motor activity. Curcumin reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and motor activity in hamsters with 5-FU-induced OM.

Micro ribonucleic acid-448 regulates zinc finger e-box binding homeobox 1 to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells and increase their sensitivity to chemotherapy

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 1 (ZEB1) regulation by Micro Ribonucleic acid (miR)-448 on Breast Cancer (BC) cells and their sensitivity to chemotherapy. Methods: miR-448 and ZEB1 mRNA levels in BC and normal tissues were detected by qPCR, and ZEB1 protein was detected by Western Blotting (WB). The correlation between miR-448 and tumor metastasis, clinical staging, and ZEB1 expression was analyzed. MCF-7 cells were transfected or co-transfected with the miR-448 mimic, oe-ZEB1, or their negative controls. Changes in miR-448 and ZEB1 expression were detected by qPCR and WB. Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assays, invasion changes were analyzed by Transwell assays, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results: miR-448 expression in BC tissues was lower than that in normal tissues, while ZEB1 expression was increased in the former. ZEB1 expression was lower in BC patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without. In patients with clinical stage I-III BC, miR-448 expression decreased with an increase in tumor stage, which was negatively correlated with ZEB1 expression. Upregulation of miR-448 expression can suppress MCF-7 cell proliferation and invasion and promote apoptosis. Upregulation of ZEB1 expression in cells overexpressing miR-448 can partially reverse the inhibition of BC cell growth induced by miR-448. miR-448 can enhance the sensitivity of cells toward paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil. Conclusions: miR-448 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion and promotes apoptosis by targeting ZEB1. Moreover, it can increase the sensitivity of cells toward paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil.

Effects of irbesartan combined with 5-fluorouracil on the proliferation and ERK/PPARγ signaling pathway of Lewis lung cancer cells / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of irbesartan（Irb）combined with 5-fluorouracil（5-FU）on the proliferation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/peroxidase proliferator-activated receptor γ（PPARγ）signaling pathway of Lewis lung cancer cells. METHODS Lewis lung cancer cells from mice were divided into normal control （NC）group，Irb low-dose （LD）group（1×10－3 mmol/L），Irb high-dose （HD）group（1×10－1 mmol/L），5-FU group （10 μmol/L），Irb LD+ 5-FU group （Irb 1×10－3 mmol/L+5-FU 10 μmol/L）and Irb HD+ 5-FU group （Irb 1×10－1 mmol/L+5-FU 10 μmol/L）. MTT method was used to measure the activity of cell proliferation in each group. Plate colony formation experiment was used to determine the number of cell colonies formed in each group ；Western blot method was used to detect the expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA），p53，ERK1/2，p-ERK1/2 and PPAR γ protein in each group. RESULTS Compared with the NC group ，the cell proliferation activity ，the number of colonies formed and the protein levels of PCNA ，p-ERK1/2，and PPARγ were significantly reduced in the other five groups ，and the protein level of p 53 was significantly increased （P＜0.05）；the protein expression of ERK1/2 had no significant difference （P＞0.05）. The changes of above indexes in Irb LD+ 5-FU group and Irb HD+ 5-FU group were more significant than Irb LD group ，Irb HD group and 5-FU group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Irb combined with 5-FU can inhibit the proliferation of Lewis lung cancer cell ，and the effect is better than that of the two alone. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ERK/PPARγ signal pathway.

Bioresponsive immune-booster-based prodrug nanogel for cancer immunotherapy

The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy motivates a potent immune system by triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD), showing great potential in inhibiting tumor growth and improving the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM). However, the therapeutic effectiveness has been restricted by inferior drug bioavailability. Herein, we reported a universal bioresponsive doxorubicin (DOX)-based nanogel to achieve tumor-specific co-delivery of drugs. DOX-based mannose nanogels (DM NGs) was designed and choosed as an example to elucidate the mechanism of combined chemo-immunotherapy. As expected, the DM NGs exhibited prominent micellar stability, selective drug release and prolonged survival time, benefited from the enhanced tumor permeability and prolonged blood circulation. We discovered that the DOX delivered by DM NGs could induce powerful anti-tumor immune response facilitated by promoting ICD. Meanwhile, the released mannose from DM NGs was proved as a powerful and synergetic treatment for breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, via damaging the glucose metabolism in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Overall, the regulation of tumor microenvironment with DOX-based nanogel is expected to be an effectual candidate strategy to overcome the current limitations of ICD-based immunotherapy, offering a paradigm for the exploitation of immunomodulatory nanomedicines.

Influence of 6-shogaol potentiated on 5-fluorouracil treatment of liver cancer by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by regulating AKT/mTOR/MRP1 signalling / 中国天然药物

Currently, chemoresistance seriously attenuates the curative outcome of liver cancer. The purpose of our work was to investigate the influence of 6-shogaol on the inhibition of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in liver cancer. The cell viability of cancer cells was determined by MTT assay. Liver cancer cell apoptosis and the cell cycle were examined utilizing flow cytometry. Moreover, qRT-PCR and western blotting was used to analyse the mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. Immunohistochemistry assays were used to examine multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) expression in tumour tissues. In liver cancer cells, we found that 6-shogaol-5-FU combination treatment inhibited cell viability, facilitated G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and accelerated apoptosis compared with 6-shogaol or 5-FU treatment alone. In cancer cells cotreated with 6-shogaol and 5-FU, AKT/mTOR pathway- and cell cycle-related protein expression levels were inhibited, and MRP1 expression was downregulated. AKT activation or MRP1 increase reversed the influence of combination treatment on liver cancer cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The inhibition of AKT activation to the anticancer effect of 6-shogaol-5-FU could be reversed by MRP1 silencing. Moreover, our results showed that 6-shogaol-5-FU combination treatment notably inhibited tumour growth in vivo. In summary, our data demonstrated that 6-shogaol contributed to the curative outcome of 5-FU in liver cancer by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR/MRP1 signalling pathway.

Screening of genes related to the prognosis of gastric cancer and the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil based on bioinformatics method / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To screen biomarkers related to the prognosis of gastric cancer and the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil based on the bioinformatics method.Methods:Gastric cancer datasets like GSE54129, GSE79973 and GSE51725 based on GPL570 platform were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Genes related to the overall survival (OS) of the top 500 gastric cancer patients were downloaded from GEPIA2 online gene expression profile.GEO2R was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEG) between gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues, STRING database was used to build protein-protein interaction networks (PPI) and to identify the key genes, the enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was made by using OmicShare. Kaplan-Meier Plotter was used to calculate the value of key genes in predicting the OS of gastric cancer patients. All patients were divided into the high expression group and low expression group according to the optimal cut-off value of gene expression level.Results:A total of 59 DEG were screened, including 39 up-regulated genes and 20 down-regulated genes. The key up-regulated genes including homeodomain transcription factors 2(PITX2), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), transforming growth factor β 2 (TGFB2), thromobospondin 1 (THBS1) were analyzed by using PPI. Survival analysis results showed that the OS of gastric cancer patients with low expression of FGF1, HGF, PITX2 and TGFB2 genes was better (all P < 0.01); the OS of gastric cancer patients with low expression of THBS1 gene was poor, while the difference was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The patients with low expression of RIEG1 gene who received 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimen had the better OS ( P < 0.01),while those with THBS1 and HGF low expression had the worse OS ( P < 0.05). It was found that key genes might promote the development of gastric cancer by participating in the regulation of TGF- β signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway and focal adhesion pathway. Conclusions:Bioinformatics analysis shows that the expressions of FGF1, HGF, PITX2 and TGFB2 genes are related to the prognosis of gastric cancer, and the expressions of RIEG1, THBS1 and HGF are related to the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil, which may be used as a predictive marker of fluorouracil chemosensitivity in patients with gastric cancer.