[Regulatory effects of glabridin and quercetin on energy metabolism of breast cancer cells].

It is reported that energy metabolism is the core feature of tumor cells. This study is aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of two flavonoids( glabridin and quercetin) on energy supply and glycolysis of breast cancer cells,and provide reference for developing some anticancer herbal drugs with the function of regulating tumor energy metabolism. Based on the characteristics of each pathway during energy metabolism,in the present study,the triple negative breast cancer tumor cells( MDA-MB-231) were selected to investigate the effects of glabridin and quercetin on the energy metabolism of breast cancer cells and discuss the possible mechanisms from the following five potential targets: glucose uptake,protein expression of glucose transporter 1( GLUT1),adenosine triphosphate( ATP) level,lactate dehydrogenase( LDH) activity,and lactic acid( LD) concentration. The results showed that both quercetin and glabridin could decrease the glucose uptake capacity of breast cancer cells by down-regulating the protein expression of GLUT1. Quercetin had no significant effect on LDH activity and LD concentration; it did not affect the glycolysis process,but increased the intracellular ATP level. Glabridin decreased the activity of LDH and reduced LD concentration,thereby inhibiting the glycolysis metabolism of breast cancer cells. Therefore,both quercetin and glabridin can regulate the energy metabolism of breast cancer cells and can be used as potential anticancer agents or anti-cancer adjuvants.

[Effects of irbesartan on Notch1 signaling pathway in diabetic rats with myocardial injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of irbesartan on myocardial injury in diabetic rats, and to analyze the changes of Notch1 signaling pathway in it. METHODS: Thirty rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group (CON, n=6), high calorie group (HC, n=6) and diabetes mellitus group (DM, n=9), irbesartan + diabetes group (Ir + DM, n=9). After modeling 8 weeks later, the body weight ratio and left ventricular weight index were measured and the serum levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The changes of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardium of rats were determined by the kit and the expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 assaciated X protein (Bax) protein in myocardium were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expressions of Notch1, Hes-1 and jagged-1 in myocardium of rats were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with CON group, the levels of heart weight/body weight (H/B), left ventricular weight index(LVWI) and fasting blood glucose(FBG) in HC group were not significantly changed, while the levels of blood lipids, MDA and Bax were increased significantly, and the expressions of SOD, Bcl-2 and Notch1, Hes-1 and Jagged-1 were decreased. Compared with HC group, the levels of H/B, LVWI, FBG, MDA and Bax in DM group were increased significantly, and the levels of SOD, Bcl-2 and Notch1, Hes-1 and Jagged-1 were decreased. The expression of H/B, LVWI, Notch1, Hes-1 and Jagged-1 in Ir+DM group were increased, but there was no significant difference between the other indexes. The H/B and LVWI in Ir + DM group were significantly lower than those in DM group, the levels of blood lipid and blood glucose did not change significantly, but the incidence of oxidative stress and apoptosis was reduced. While Notch1, Hes-1, Jagged -1 protein expressions were increased. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes can induce myocardial injury, and irbesartan has myocardial protective effects through activation of Notch1.

Growth and antioxidant production of Spirulina in different NaCl concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quantity of Spirulina cultured in seawater, salt-tolerant strains were screened out and their growth and antioxidant accumulation were studied in different salt concentrations RESULTS: Salt tolerance of five Spirulina strains were investigated with modified Zarrouk medium (with 200-800 mM NaCl). All strains grew well with 400 mM NaCl; their growth rates were almost same as in the control medium. Spirulina strains FACHB-843 (SP843) and FACHB-972 (SP972) had the highest salt tolerance their growth rates in 600 mM NaCl were nearly same as the control. Both strains produced more carotene, phycocyanin, polysaccharides, proline and betaine in 400-600 mM NaCl than the control. Salt stress also induced them to produce higher activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. Total antioxidant capacities of SP843 and SP972 peaked at 600 and 400 mM NaCl, respectively. CONCLUSION: Spirulina strains cultured with seawater accumulate more bioactive substances and will have a higher nutritive value.

[Investigation of the prevalence of periodontal diseases among naval personnel during prolonged sailing].

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of periodontal diseases among naval personnel during prolonged sailing. METHODS: The calculus index-simplified (CI-S), plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), community periodontal index (CPI), attachment loss (AL), number of missing tooth (NMT) and prevalence of periodontal disease were recorded among 186 naval personnel who participated in prolonged sailing before and after sailing. The data was analyzed with SPSS 14.0 software package. RESULTS: Each periodontal index after sailing was significantly higher than that of before sailing(P<0.01). Before sailing, the prevalence of periodontal diseases from 186 objects was 59.7%; While after sailing the prevalence increased to 83.3%. Among them, patients who suffered from gingivitis and mid or moderate periodontitis raised greatly, and significant differences were found in the prevalence and degree of periodontal disease (P<0.01) compared between pre-sailing and post-sailing. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged sailing environment, food constraint and poor oral hygiene can influence periodontal state of naval personnel. To enhance propaganda and education on oral hygiene promptly and effectively, to develop the habit of correct toothbrushing, to have balanced and rational diet, and to perform proper periodontal non-surgical treatment and medication are essential to periodontal health of naval personnel during prolonged sailing.

[The effects of ADAM28 AS-ODN on biological function of human gingival fibroblasts].

PURPOSE: To study the effects of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 28 (ADAM28) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), and analyze the possible mechanism. METHODS: Cell culture, gene transfection, MTT chromatometry, enzyme dynamics, and flow cytometry (FCM) techniques were used to detect the effects of ADAM28 AS-ODN on biological characteristics of HGFs after transfected into HGFs. The statistical differences were evaluated by SNK test with SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: In ADAM28 AS-ODN group, the proliferation activity of HGFs decreased significantly. Cell percentage in S phase in AS-ODN group was notably lower than that of S-ODN and untransfected groups, and cell percentage in G2+M phase was remarkably lower than that of untransfected group. Cell proliferation index (PI=S+G2M) in AS-ODN group was significantly lower than that of the other two groups. There was a significant difference between the groups. In AS-ODN group, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) secretion activity and percentage of apoptotic cell notably increased. CONCLUSIONS: ADAM28 AS-ODN could inhibit HGFs proliferation significantly and influence the changes of cell cycle, promote HGFs differentiation and induce HGFs apoptosis remarkably.

[Clinical application of CT-guided percutaneous targeted argon-helium cryoablation for soft tissue sarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous targeted argon-helium cryoablation for soft tissue sarcoma and analyze the changes in CT findings and side effects in relation to the treatment. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with soft tissue sarcoma were treated with CT-guided argon-helium cryoablation. RESULTS: Three months after the treatment, 52 tumors showed obvious reduction in size with a total complete and partial remission rate of 73.1%. Postoperative CT scanning displayed low-density local necrosis in the tumors after cryotherapy, and consolidation of the lesions was observed at 3 months and lesion disappearance at 1 year after the therapy. The complications included pneumothorax, coughing, hemoptysis, fever, and slight elevation of aminotransferase. CONCLUSION: CT-guided percutaneous targeted argon-helium cryoablation is safe and effective for lung cancer with minimal invasions.