The apoptotic effects of silibinin on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Silibinin is a bioactive flavonolignan extracted from milk thistle, known as Silybum marianum. Silibinin exerts strong antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Many studies have shown that silibinin inhibits experimentally induced malignancies of the liver, prostate, skin, and colon as well as promotes inhibition of the proliferation of cancer cell lines in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the effects of silibinin on the human breast carcinoma cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 in monolayer and spheroid cultures. METHOD: The MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines were cultured in both monolayer and spheroid cultures. Cells were treated with silibinin at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling index was used to determine the cells of the synthesis phase. Poly-ADP-ribose-polimerase immunohistochemical staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling assay were used to determine the death of cells in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. RESULTS: An half maximal inhibitory concentration dose of silibinin in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was 100 µM/mL at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling positive cells and active poly-ADP-ribose-polimerase were detected after treatment with silibinin in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. The dead cell count was higher in the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines with silibinin applied than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that silibinin applications enhanced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling positive cells and active poly-ADP-ribose-polimerase in comparison to the control in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures.

Efficacy of endodontic applications of ozone and low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma on root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis.

UNLABELLED: This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) design and gaseous ozone delivery system with 2.5% NaOCl on Enterococcus faecalis in root canal walls and dentine tubules. The samples were divided into LTAPP (n = 12), ozone (n = 12), NaOCl (positive control, n = 12) and saline (negative control, n = 6) groups. Microbial samples were collected using paper points and dentin chips from root canals. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed by counting the colony-forming units of Ent. faecalis before and after each irrigation protocol. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon signed-rank, Friedman and Bonferroni t (Dunn's test)-tests (P = 0.05). The microbial sampling with paper points showed antibacterial efficacy of NaOCl, LTAPP, ozone and saline in descending order, respectively (P < 0.05). The microbial sampling with dentin chips demonstrated a superior efficacy of LTAPP compared with NaOCl in the middle third (P < 0.05), while both had similar effects in coronal and apical thirds (P > 0.05). NaOCl and LTAPP were better than ozone at the coronal and middle parts of the root canals (P < 0.05). These findings led us to suggest that LTAPP, which has no thermal and chemical effects, may be of great aid in endodontic treatment. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present study handles different perspectives on chemomechanical preparation of root canals. Ozone and low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) were investigated to determine whether they could be an alternative for NaOCl. Up to now, chemical solutions (NaOCl, chlorhexidine digluconate, etc...) have been used to disinfect the root canals. When the reported effects of LTAPP on biological and chemical decontamination were taken into consideration, a question rose whether it has antimicrobial efficacy in root canals infected with E. faecalis. According to the findings of the present study, LTAPP may constitute a promising aid in endodontics in disinfection of root canals.

The effects of systemic isotretinoin and antibiotic therapy on the microbial floras in patients with acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Although there are several studies about the alteration in skin flora, limited number of reports about changes in the microbial contents and their resistance profile of other body sites in patients treated with isotretinoin for acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of systemic isotretinoin and antibiotic therapy on the microbial floras of oropharynx, nose and feces in acne patients. METHODS: Treatment groups of isotretinoin and antibiotics consisting of 20 and 15 patients, respectively were included. Microbiological culture samples were taken at baseline and once a month during 4-6 months of treatment period. RESULTS: Difference in microbial flora throughout the treatment period was detected at least among one of all culture samples of 15 (75%) and 5 (33%) patients in isotretinoin and antibiotic groups. There was statistically significant difference between two groups in means of alteration of the microbial flora (P = 0.013). The difference was definitely observed among nasal cultures (65%) in isotretinoin group and fecal cultures (20%) in the other. Staphylococcus aureus colonization was prominent in the microbial floras of nose and oropharynx and 2 of 14 nasal isolates were detected to be methicilline resistant while Escherichia coli with extended spectrum beta lactamase activity was detected in fecal floras of patients in isotretinoin group. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic isotretinoin and antibiotic treatments in acne patients precisely caused variations in the microbial floras of several sites of the body, while isotretinoin was commonly more responsible than antibiotics. Knowing that alterations in the microbial colonization of the flora regions may preceede infectious disease and bacterial resistance, treatment options and follow-up procedures in acne vulgaris should be carefully determined to reduce the risk of destruction of the microbial flora.

The efficacy of minocycline against methotrexate-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

OBJECTIVES: In addition to its antimicrobial effects, inhibitory effects of minocycline have been demonstrated, including against inflammation, apoptosis, proteolysis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. In this study, we aimed to determine the beneficial effects of minocycline on lung histology and its antioxidant activity in a murine model of pulmonary fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Swiss albino mice were randomly allocated into four groups of seven animals per group. Group I (control group) received intraperitoneal injection of saline. Group II (methotrexate group) received methotrexate orally 3 mg/kg for 28 days. Group III (minocycline group) received methotrexate orally 3 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg of intraperitoneally injected minocycline for 28 days. Group IV (minocycline group) received 15 mg/kg of intraperitoneally injected minocycline for 28 days. Twenty-eight days later, the animals were euthanized. Thereafter, lung tissue samples were harvested. Histological findings of airways were evaluated by light microscopy. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), the product of reactive oxygen in lung tissue, and catalase, an antioxidant enzyme, were also determined. RESULTS: In the light microscopic examination, the lung tissues of the control group showed normal histological features. In the methotrexate group, the degree of lung damage (grade 3 fibrosis) was higher than the control and other groups (p: 0.001). In the minocycline-treated group, improvement in lung tissue was noted (median fibrosis score: 3 (MTX group) vs 1 (MTX plus minocycline group); p: 0.001). Only the minocycline group showed normal histological features. Although minocycline reduced the MDA levels in lung tissue, an increase in catalase activity was detected (p: 0.018 and p: 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of minocycline may be effective in MTX-induced lung fibrosis in mice. However, further studies with high-dose and long-term treatments are needed.