Propofol suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by regulating the miR-340/CDK2 signal axis.

BACKGROUND: As widely reported, propofol can effectively inhibit tumors development. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms. Here, we proved that propofol regulated miR-340/CDK2 axis to suppress bladder cancer progression in vitro. METHODS: MicroRNA (MiR)-340 expression in 5637 cells was examined using qRT-PCR. Cyclin-dependent kinase2 (CDK2) expression was detected using both qRT-PCR and western blot. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins and cell cycle-related proteins were evaluated using western blot. CCK-8 assay and BrdU assay were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation. Moreover, flow cytometry assay was employed to assess cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Finally, dual luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding relationship between miR-340 and CDK2. RESULTS: Here we showed that propofol treatment inhibited cell proliferation of 5637 cells but enhanced cell apoptosis. Propofol upregulated miR-340 in a dose and time dependent manner. MiR-340 inhibitor could reverse the effect of propofol on the proliferation and apoptosis of 5637 cells. Next, dual luciferase reporter assay displayed that miR-340 directly bound to the 3'-UTR of CDK2. Finally, inhibition of CDK2 could partly reversed the effect of miR-340 inhibitor on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of propofol-treated 5637 cells. CONCLUSION: In total, our results proved that targeting miR340/CDK2 axis was novel to enhance the anti-tumor effects of propofol in bladder cancer in vitro, and our study provided alternative therapeutic strategies for clinical treatment of bladder cancer.

Improved nude mouse models for green fluorescence human endometriosis.

AIM: To establish an improved noninvasive fluorescent animal model for endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adenovirus encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (Ad-eGFP) was used to transfect primary culture endometrial glandular cells and stromal cells (purified cell transfection and mixed injection, Group 1) as well as endometrial fragments (tissues transfection and injection, Group 2). Transfection results were compared between the cells and tissues in vitro. The GFP-transfected cells suspension of Group 1 or endometrial fragments of Group 2, with similar weight, were injected into nude mice subcutaneously and noninvasively observed every 5 days until day 15 (Subgroup 1, N = 5), day 20 (Subgroup 2, N = 5) or day 25 (Subgroup 3, N =11). The positive rates and duration times of the fluorescent lesions were calculated. RESULTS: After 18 h of incubation, glandular cells and stromal cells all had higher GFP-positive rates. In vivo imaging showed that the GFP positive rates of Group 1 were significantly higher than those of Group 2. The fluorescent-positive durations of Groups 1 and 2 were 23.636 ± 4.523 days and 5.909 ± 5.394 days, respectively (P < 0.001). In vivo analysis demonstrated that on days 15, 20, and 25, there were more typical lesions and fluorescent-positive lesions formed in Group 1 and that the lesion weight in Group 1 was greater. The structures of the lesions were all identified as human origin. CONCLUSION: A noninvasive animal model for endometriosis created by subcutaneous injection of an Ad-eGFP-transfected endometrial glandular and stromal cells suspension had higher a positive rate, longer duration time of fluorescent imaging and greater lesion weight.

[Efficacy of Liangxue Jiedu Huoxue Decoction in prevention of radiation pneumonitis: a randomized controlled trial].

BACKGROUND: Radiation pneumonitis is one of the most common complications during radiotherapy of thoracic tumors. It impacts the quality of life of the patients and has life-threatening danger. However, there is a lack of drugs for prevention and treatment of this disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Liangxue Jiedu Huoxue Decoction, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in prevention of radiation pneumonitis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A prospective randomized clinical study was conducted. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lung cancer from Department of Radiotherapy, Chinese PLA General Hospital, who were planning to receive radiotherapy, were randomly assigned into treatment group and control group, with 50 patients in each group. In the treatment group 3 cases were lost to follow-up and one case was excluded, while in the control group 6 cases were lost to follow-up and 2 cases were excluded. Patients in the treatment group were treated with Liangxue Jiedu Huoxue Decoction in addition to radiotherapy, while patients in the control group were treated with radiotherapy alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence rates of radiation pneumonitis in the two groups were calculated. Acute radiation injury scoring criteria by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), clinical-radiographic-physiologic (CRP) score system, and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS) were used to evaluate the status of the patients. RESULTS: The incidence rate of radiation pneumonitis was lower in the treatment group than in the control group (13.04% versus 33.33%, P<0.05). According to the RTOG scale, the extent of lung injury was improved in the treatment group as compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The CRP score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The KPS score in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Liangxue Jiedu Huoxue Decoction can decrease the incidence rate of radiation pneumonitis, reduce the extent of the lung injury, alleviate the symptoms of radiation pneumonitis, and improve life quality of the patients.