Combination of Curcumin with an Anti-Transferrin Receptor Antibody Suppressed the Growth of Malignant Gliomas In vitro.

AIM: Transferrin receptor (TfR) has been used as a target for the molecular cancer therapy due to its higher expression in a variety of tumors. Anti-TfR antibodies combined with chemotherapeutic drugs has showed great potential as a possible cancer therapeutic strategy. In our study, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of anti-TfR monoclonal antibody (mAb) alone or in combination with curcumin in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We detected the apoptosis, proliferation and cell cycle of glioma cells after treated with anti-TfR mAb and curcumin alone or the combinations by flow cytometer. RESULTS: Anti-TfR mAb or curcumin could inhibit proliferation of tumor cells. Anti-TfR mAb marked S phase arrest and curcumin induced G2/M arrest in tumor cells. When anti-TfR mAb and curcumin were used simultaneously, a synergistic effect was detected in relation to tumor growth inhibition and the induction of cells necrosis. CONCLUSION: These results provided a potential role of anti-TfR mAb-containing curcumin in the treatment for gliomas.

[Effects on DNA damage and apoptosis and p53 protein expression induced by fluoride in human embryo hepatocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of DNA damage and apoptosis and p53 expression, and to explore the relationship between apoptosis and p53 expression in human embryo hepatocytes induced by fluoride. METHODS: The rate of DNA damage, apoptosis and the level of p53 expression were investigated after the cells were incubated with sodium fluoride for about 24 hours. The concentrations of sodium fluoride of the control, A, B and C group were 0 microg/ml, 40 microg/ ml, 80 microg/ml and 160 microg/ml individually. RESULTS: The rate of DNA damage of every group treated with sodium fluoride were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of apoptosis of B and C groups increased apparently (P < 0.05). The level of p53 expression of B and C groups were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Fluoride can increase the rate of DNA damage, and induce apoptosis and expression of p53 in human embryo hepatocytes. Furthermore, both apoptosis and the level of p53 expression, there exists a rise tendency with the increase concentration of fluoride.

[Teratogenicity of the prescription of reinforcing kidney, replenishing qi and activating blood and effect on HSP70 expression in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of the Prescription of Reinforcing Kidney Replenishing Qi and Activating Blood (PAKRQAB) on the reproduction and development of rats. METHODS: The animals were divided into negative control, positive control and three experiment groups. PAKRQAB was administered by gavages during gestation day 6 to day 15 in doses of 60, 12 and 2.4 g/(kg.d), respectively. The body weight gain of pregnant rats, the body weight, body length and tail length of living fetuses and some other parameters of embryonic development were measured. Western Blot was used to detect the HSP70 level in liver tissue of pregnant rat and fetuses. RESULTS: Malformation of external and internal organ and of bone was not found in fetuses treated with PAKRQAB. But the rate of cyesis descended in the high dosage. The expression level of HSP70 in each dose group is significantly different than negative control group on pregnant rats, but fetuses this effect is not so significant. CONCLUSION: PAKRQAB does not induce deformity or developmental toxicity. It's safe for pregnant rats though it may influence pregnancy rate when it is used in high dose.