Upregulation of microRNA-132 in gastric cancer promotes cell proliferation via retinoblastoma 1 targeting.

Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRs), a class of small non­coding RNAs, have been shown to be critical in tumorigenesis. In the present study, the expression levels of miR­132 were analyzed in gastric cancer samples using quantitative reverse transcription­polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the cell viability, proliferation and invasion abilities were determined in two gastric cancer cell lines, NCI­N87 and MGC80­3, that were transfected with miR­132 mimics or antisense oligos. It was found that miR­132 expression was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues when compared with adjacent non­cancerous tissues. At the molecular level, the data demonstrated that miR­132 inhibits the protein levels of retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) by targeting the 3'­untranslated region. Furthermore, reintroduction of RB1 markedly attenuated the proliferative roles of miR­132 overexpression. Therefore, the present results indicate that the miR­132/RB1 regulatory axis may be a potential novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on hepatic cytochrome P450 1 A 1 expression and lipid peroxidation in nonalcoholic fatty liver rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on liver cytochrome P450 1 A 1 immunoactivity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomized into normal control (n = 10), model (n = 10) and EA (n = 10) groups. NAFLD model was established by feeding the animal with high-fat forage for 8 weeks. EA (1.6-2 Hz, 1-4 mA) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Fenglong" (ST 40), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Taichong" (LR 3) for 15 min, once daily for 4 weeks. Then the rats anesthetized with ether were killed for collecting liver tissue. Following homogenate and centrifugalization of the partial liver tissue, the supernatant was collected for assaying superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents by xanthinoxidase chromometry and thio-malonylurea chromometry respectively. The other partial liver tissue samples were fixed in 10% formalin, followed by paraffin imbedding and sectioning (4 microm), and staining with streptavidin-perosidase methods respectively for displaying hepatic pathological changes and cytochrom P450 1 A 1 immunoreaction. RESULTS: Compared with control group, hepatic SOD content of model group was significantly lower (P < 0.05), and MDA level and cytochrome P450 1 A 1 (CYP 1 A 1) integrated optic density (IOD) value were obviously higher in model group (P < 0.05). In comparison with model group, liver SOD level of EA group increased considerably (P < 0.05), while MDA level and CYP 1 A 1 IOD of EA group decreased evidently in EA group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can effectively reduce lipid peroxidation and up-regulate CYP 1 A 1 expression in nonalcoholic fatty liver tissue, which may contribute to its effect in improving fatty liver.

[Influence of electroacupuncture of "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on hippocampal 5-HT and AChE immuno-activity in chronic depression rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on 5-serotonin (5-HT) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activities in hippocampus tissue in chronic stressed-induced depression rats. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomized into normal control group (n=10), model group (n=11) and EA group (n=11). Chronic depression model was established by lonely raising, and chronic unpredictable mild stress for 21 days. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 20 minutes, once daily for 14 days. 5-HT and AChE expression of hippocampal CA 4 region was detected by using immunohistochemistry, and their integrated optical density (IOD) values were determined by using image analysis system. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, IOD values of 5-HT and AChE immuno-reaction (IR) positive neurons in hippocampal CA 4 region of model group decreased significantly (P<0.05). In comparison with model group, the IOD values of 5-HT and AChE IR positive neurons of CA 4 region in EA group increased significantly (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between EA and normal control groups in IOD values of both 5-HT and AChE IR positive neurons. CONCLUSION: EA can upregulate 5-HT and AChE expression in hippocampal CA 4 region in depression rats, which may contribute to its effect in relieving depression.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of "Hegu" (LI 4)-"Taichong" (LR 3) on colonic nitric oxide synthase and glutathione peroxidase activity and nitric oxide content in depression rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the content of nitric oxide (NO) in colon tissue of depression rats, so as to reveal its mechanism in protecting colonic tissue under depression. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were equally randomized into normal, model, medication and EA groups. Depression model was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation (forced ice-water swimming, electric shock, tail-clamping, etc) combined with lonely raising for 21 days. At the same time of modeling, Fluoxetine (1.8 mg/kg, intragastric perfusion) was given to the rats of medication group, once daily for 21 days. EA (1.5-2 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to bilateral "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Taichong" (LR 3) for 20 min, once daily for 21 days. The activity of iNOS, GSH-Px and the content of NO in colon tissue were detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometer method. RESULTS: In comparison with normal control group, iNOS activity and NO content in colon tissue increased significantly (P<0.05), and GSH-Px activity decreased considerably (P<0.05) in model group. Whereas compared with model group, iNOS activity and NO content decreased significantly (P<0.05), and GSH-Px activity increased significantly in EA and medication groups. No significant differences were found between EA group and medication group in these 3 indexes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Taichong" (LR 3) can reduce stress induced increase of both iNOS activity and NO content, and decrease of GSH-Px activity in colon tissue in depression rats, which may contribute to its effect in protecting the digestive tract from injury under depression.