Triptolide induced cell death through apoptosis and autophagy in murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro and promoting immune responses in WEHI-3 generated leukemia mice in vivo.

Triptolide, a traditional Chinese medicine, obtained from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic properties. We investigated the potential efficacy of triptolide on murine leukemia by measuring the triptolide-induced cytotoxicity in murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro. Results indicated that triptolide induced cell morphological changes and induced cytotoxic effects through G0/G1 phase arrest, induction of apoptosis. Flow cytometric assays showed that triptolide increased the production of reactive oxygen species, Ca2+ release and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ), and activations of caspase-8, -9, and -3. Triptolide increased protein levels of Fas, Fas-L, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase-9, Endo G, Apaf-1, PARP, caspase-3 but reduced levels of AIF, ATF6α, ATF6ß, and GRP78 in WEHI-3 cells. Triptolide stimulated autophagy based on an increase in acidic vacuoles, monodansylcadaverine staining for LC-3 expression and increased protein levels of ATG 5, ATG 7, and ATG 12. The in vitro data suggest that the cytotoxic effects of triptolide may involve cross-talk between cross-interaction of apoptosis and autophagy. Normal BALB/c mice were i.p. injected with WEHI-3 cells to generate leukemia and were oral treatment with triptolide at 0, 0.02, and 0.2 mg/kg for 3 weeks then animals were weighted and blood, liver, spleen samples were collected. Results indicated that triptolide did not significantly affect the weights of animal body, spleen and liver of leukemia mice, however, triptolide significant increased the cell populations of T cells (CD3), B cells (CD19), monocytes (CD11b), and macrophage (Mac-3). Furthermore, triptolide increased the phagocytosis of macrophage from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but not effects from peritoneum. Triptolide promoted T and B cell proliferation at 0.02 and 0.2 mg/kg treatment when cells were pretreated with Con A and LPS stimulation, respectively; however, triptolide did not significant affect NK cell activities in vivo. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 550-568, 2017.

Bufalin induces apoptosis in vitro and has Antitumor activity against human lung cancer xenografts in vivo.

Bufalin has been shown to be effective against a variety of cancer cells, but its role in lung cancer has never been studied in an animal model. In this study, we evaluated bufalin effects in a human lung cancer cell line NCI-H460 both in vitro and in vivo. Bufalin caused significant cytotoxicity in NCI-H460 cells at a concentration as low as 1 µM. DNA condensation was observed in bufalin-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ) was reduced and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased in bufalin-treated NCI-H460 cells. Levels of several proapoptotic proteins such as Fas, Fas-ligand, cytochrome c, apoptosis protease activating factor-1, endonuclease G, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased after bufalin treatment. At the same time, anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 protein levels were reduced. Bufalin decreased glucose regulated protein-78 gene expression but increased growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible 153 gene expression. Bufalin injected intraperitoneally in a dose-dependent manner reduced tumor size in BALB/C nu/nu mice implanted with NCI-H460 cells. Bufalin injection did not produce significant drug-related toxicity in experimental animals except at a high dose (0.4 mg kg-1 ). In conclusion, low concentrations of bufalin can induce apoptosis in the human lung cancer cell line NCI-H460 in vitro. Bufalin also reduced tumor size in mice injected with NCI-H460 cells without significant drug-related toxicity. These results indicate that bufalin may have potential to be developed as an agent for treating human non-small cell lung cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1305-1317, 2017.

Casticin Inhibits A375.S2 Human Melanoma Cell Migration/Invasion through Downregulating NF-κB and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -1.

Casticin is one of the main components from Fructus Viticis, which is widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent. The mechanism of how casticin affects melanoma cell migration and invasion is still not well known. Here we studied the anti-metastasis effects of casticin on A375.S2 melanoma cells by using a non-lethal concentration. First; we used an adhesion assay to test the A375.S2 cells' adhesion ability after treatment with casticin. We next investigated the cell migration ability after casticin treatment by using a wound healing assay to prove that the migration of A375.S2 cells can be inhibited by casticin and double checked the results using the transwell-migration assay. The suppressive effects on matrix metalloproteinase-2; and -9 (MMP-2; and -9) activities were examined by gelatin zymography. Furthermore, western blotting was used to investigate the protein level changes in A375.S2 cells. We found that p-EGFR; Ras and p-ERK1/2 are decreased by casticin, indicating that casticin can down-regulate the migration and invasion ability of A375.S2 cells via the p-EGFR/Ras/p-ERK pathway. The NF-κB p65 and p-ERK levels in nuclear proteins are also decreased by treatment with casticin. An EMSA assay also discovered that the NF-κB p65 and DNA interaction is decreased. NF-κB p65 protein level was examined by immunofluorescence staining and also decreased. Our findings suggest that casticin has anti-metastatic potential by decreasing the invasiveness of A375.S2 cells. We also found that casticin suppressed A375.S2 cell proliferation and cell adhesion ability, but did not affect cell death, as examined using cytometry and a collagen adhesion assay. Based on these observations, casticin could be used as an inhibitor of migration and invasion of human melanoma cells in the future.

Demethoxycurcumin-induced DNA Damage Decreases DNA Repair-associated Protein Expression Levels in NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells.

Demethoxycurcumin (DMC) is a key component of Chinese medicine (Turmeric) and has been proven effective in killing various cancer cells. Its role in inducing cytotoxic effects in many cancer cells has been reported, but its role regarding DNA damage on lung cancer cells has not been studied in detail. In the present study, we demonstrated DMC-induced DNA damage and condensation in NCI-H460 cells by using the Comet assay and DAPI staining examinations, respectively. Western blotting indicated that DMC suppressed the protein levels associated with DNA damage and repair, such as 14-3-3σ (an important checkpoint keeper of DNA damage response), DNA repair proteins breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1), O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (MDC1), and p53 (tumor suppressor protein). DMC activated phosphorylated p53 and p-H2A.X (phospho Ser140) in NCI-H460 cells. Furthermore, we used confocal laser systems microscopy to examine the protein translocation. The results showed that DMC promotes the translocation of p-p53 and p-H2A.X from the cytosol to the nuclei in NCI-H460 cells. Taken together, DMC induced DNA damage and affected DNA repair proteins in NCI-H460 cells in vitro.

Demethoxycurcumin induces the apoptosis of human lung cancer NCI-H460 cells through the mitochondrial-dependent pathway.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the US as well as other regions of the world. Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) are the major components of Curcuma longa L. It has been reported that curcumin inhibits the growth of various types of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanisms involved in the inhibition of cell growth and induced apoptosis by DMC in human lung cancer cells remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DMC on cell death via the induction of apoptosis in NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells. Flow cytometric assay was used to examine the total percentage of viable cells, the population of cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca²âº production, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and caspase activity. Western blotting was used to examine the changes in the expression of cell cycle- and apoptosis-associated proteins. Confocal microscopy was used to examine the translocation of apoptosis-associated proteins. The results indicated that DMC significantly induced cell morphological changes and decreased the percentage of viable NCI-H460 cells and DMC induced apoptosis based on the cell distribution in the sub-G1 phase. Moreover, DMC promoted ROS and Ca²âº production and decreased the level of ΔΨm and promoted the activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9. The Western blotting results showed that DMC promoted the expression of AIF, Endo G and PARP. The levels of Fas ligand (Fas L) and Fas were also upregulated. Furthermore, DMC promoted expression of ER stress-associated proteins such as GRP78, GADD153, IRE1ß, ATF-6α, ATF-6ß and caspase-4. Based on the findings, we suggest that DMC may be used as a novel anticancer agent for the treatment of lung cancer in the future.

Demethoxycurcumin alters gene expression associated with DNA damage, cell cycle and apoptosis in human lung cancer NCI-H460 cells in vitro.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and new lung cancer cases are continuously emerging around the globe; however, treatment of lung cancer remains unsatisfactory. Demethoxycurcumin (DMC) has been shown to exert cytotoxic effects in human cancer cells via induction of apoptosis. However, the effects of DMC on genetic mechanisms associated with these actions have not been yet elucidated. Human lung cancer NCI-H460 cells were incubated with or without 35 µM of DMC for 24 h and total RNA was extracted for cDNA synthesis labeling and microarray hybridization, followed by fluor-labeled cDNA hybridization on chip. Expression Console software with default Robust Multichip Analysis (RMA) parameters were used for detecting and quantitating the localized concentrations of fluorescent molecules. The GeneGo software was used for investigating key genes involved and their possible interaction pathways. Genes associated with DNA damage and repair, cell-cycle check point and apoptosis could be altered by DMC; in particular, 144 genes were found up-regulated and 179 genes down-regulated in NCI-H460 cells after exposure to DMC. In general, DMC-altered genes may offer information to understand the cytotoxic mechanism of this agent at the genetic level since gene alterations can be useful biomarkers or targets for the diagnosis and treatment of human lung cancer in the future.

Effects of diallyl trisulfide on induction of apoptotic death in murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro and alterations of the immune responses in normal and leukemic mice in vivo.

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a chemopreventive dietary constituent and extracted from garlic, has been shown to against cultured many types of human cancer cell liens but the fate of apoptosis in murine leukemia cells in vitro and immune responses in leukemic mice remain elusive. Herein, we clarified the actions of DATS on growth inhibition of murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro and used WEHI-3 cells to generate leukemic mice in vivo, following to investigate the effects of DATS in animal model. In in vitro study, DATS induced apoptosis of WEHI-3 cells through the G0/G1 phase arrest and induction of caspase-3 activation. In in vivo study DATS decreased the weight of spleen of leukemia mice but did not affect the spleen weight of normal mice. DATS promoted the immune responses such as promotions of the macrophage phagocytosis and NK cell activities in WEHI-3 leukemic and normal mice. However, DATS only promotes NK cell activities in normal mice. DATS increases the surface markers of CD11b and Mac-3 in leukemia mice but only promoted CD3 in normal mice. In conclusion, the present study indicates that DATS induces cell death through induction of apoptosis in mice leukemia WHEI-3 cells. DATS also promotes immune responses in leukemia and normal mice in vivo.

Suppressions of Migration and Invasion by Cantharidin in TSGH-8301 Human Bladder Carcinoma Cells through the Inhibitions of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2/-9 Signaling.

Cancer metastasis becomes an initial cause of cancer death in human population. In many cancers, it has been shown that the high levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and/or MMP-9 are associated with the invasive phenotypes of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of cantharidin, a derivative of blister beetles which is one of the traditional Chinese medicines, on the adhesion, migration, and invasion of human bladder cancer TSGH-8301 cells. Cantharidin effectively suppressed TSGH-8301 cell adhesion, migration, and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner. Results from Western blotting, RT-PCR, and gelatin zymography assays indicated that cantharidin blocked the protein levels, gene expression (mRNA), and activities of MMP-2 and -9 in TSGH-8301 cells. Cantharidin also significantly suppressed the protein expressions of p-p38 and p-JNK1/2 in TSGH-8301 cells. Taken together, cantharidin was suggested to present antimetastatic potential via suppressing the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression that might be mediated by targeting the p38 and JNK1/2 MAPKs pathway in TSGH-8301 human bladder cancer cells.

Chlorogenic acid induces apoptotic cell death in U937 leukemia cells through caspase- and mitochondria-dependent pathways.

Chlorogenic acid exists widely in edible and medicinal plants and acts as an antioxidant. It is known to exert antitumor activity via induction of apoptosis in many human cancer cells. However, its signaling pathway in human leukemia cells still remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondria and caspases during chlorogenic acid-induced apoptosis of U937 human leukemia cells. Chlorogenic acid exhibited a strong cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis in U937 cells, as determined by 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Chlorogenic acid induced apoptosis by promoting ROS production and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), as assayed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the activity of caspase-3 was evaluated and results indicated that chlorogenic acid promoted caspase-3 activity in U937 cells. Results from western blot analysis showed that chlorogenic acid promoted expression of caspase-3, -7, -8 and -9 in U937 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that chlorogenic acid may induce apoptosis by reducing the levels of ΔΨm and by increasing the activation of caspase-3 pathways in human leukemia U937 cells in vitro.

Induction of DNA damage by deguelin is mediated through reducing DNA repair genes in human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells.

It has been shown that deguelin, one of the compounds of rotenoids from flavonoid family, induced cytotoxic effects through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in many types of human cancer cell lines, but deguelin-affected DNA damage and repair gene expression (mRNA) are not clarified yet. We investigated the effects of deguelin on DNA damage and associated gene expression in human lung cancer NCI-H460 cells in vitro. DNA damage was assayed by using the comet assay and DNA gel electrophoresis and the results indicated that NCI-H460 cells treated with 0, 50, 250 and 500 nM deguelin led to a longer DNA migration smear based on the single cell electrophoresis and DNA fragmentation occurred based on the examination of DNA gel electrophoresis. DNA damage and repair gene expression (mRNA) were evaluated by using real-time PCR assay and the results indicated that 50 and 250 nM deguelin for a 24-h exposure in NCI-H460 cells, decreased the gene levels of breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1), DNA-dependent serine/threonine protein kinase (DNA-PK), O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), p53, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) mRNA expressions. Collectively, the present study showed that deguelin caused DNA damage and inhibited DNA damage and repair gene expressions, which might be due to deguelin-inhibited cell growth in vitro.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) promotes G2/M phase arrest via p53 expression and induces apoptosis through caspase- and mitochondria-dependent signaling pathways in human prostate cancer DU 145 cells.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), one of many compounds found in cruciferous vegetables, has been reported as a potential anticancer agent. In earlier studies, PEITC was shown to inhibit cell growth and induction of apoptosis in many cancer cell lines. However, no report has shown whether PEITC can induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. Herein, we aimed to determine whether PEITC has anticancer activity in DU 145 human prostate cancer cells. As a result, we found that PEITC induced a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability through induction of cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G(2)/M phase of DU 145 cells. PEITC induced morphological changes and DNA damage in DU 145 cells. The induction of G(2)/M phase arrest was mediated by the increase of p53 and WEE1 and it reduced the level of CDC25C protein. The induction of apoptosis was mediated by the activation of caspase-8-, caspase-9- and caspase-3-depedent pathways. Results also showed that PEITC caused mitochondrial dysfunction, increasing the release of cytochrome c and Endo G from mitochondria, and led cell apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent signaling pathway. This study showed that PEITC might exhibit anticancer activity and become a potent agent for human prostate cancer cells in the future.

Crude extracts of Agaricus brasiliensis induce apoptosis in human oral cancer CAL 27 cells through a mitochondria-dependent pathway.

In Taiwan, oral cancer is the fourth leading cause of male cancer mortality, and is still increasing. The Basiodiomycete, Agaricus brasiliensis Murill (ABM) is a dietary mushroom and has been known for its immuneenhancing, antitumor, antioxidation, antiviral and antimutagenesis functions. However, the exact anticancer mechanisms of ABM on human oral cancer cells are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 50% ethanol crude extracts and hot water extracts of ABM on oral cancer CAL 27 cells. We observed that 0.9 mg/ml and 0.7 mg/ml of ABM 50% ethanol crude extracts and hot water, respectively, caused morphological changes and significantly reduced cell viability after 48-h treatment. The results showed that both extracts of ABM inhibited cell proliferation, increased the Ca(2+) release, reduced the mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), and caused cell cycle arrest in the G(0)/G(1) phase, which contributed to apoptosis. Additionally, ABM induced DNA fragmentation, a characteristic of apoptosis and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins, including apoptosis-inducing factor, cytochrome c, and caspase-3, were increased. Overall, we demonstrated that 50% ethanol crude extract and hot water extracts of ABM were able to induce apoptotic cell death in CAL 27 cells via the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytoplasm and activation of caspase-3 in vitro.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species causes cell cycle arrest and induces apoptosis via activation of caspase-3, mitochondria dysfunction and nitric oxide (NO) in human osteogenic sarcoma U-2 OS cells.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a member of the isothiocyanate family, have been shown to exhibit antineoplastic ability against many human cancer cells. In this study, we found that exposure of human osteogenic sarcoma U-2 OS cells to BITC and PEITC led to induce morphological changes and to decrease the percentage of viable cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. BITC and PEITC induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase at 48 h treatment and inhibited the levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as cyclin A and B1 in U-2 OS cells but promoted the level of Chk1 and p53 that led to G2/M arrest. BITC and PEITC induced a marked increase in apoptosis (DNA fragmentation) and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage, which was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the activation of caspase-9 and -3. BITC and PEITC also promoted the ROS production in U-2 OS cells and the N-acetylcysteine (NAC, an antoxidant agent) was pretreated and then treated with both compounds which led to decrease the levels of ROS and increase the cell viability. Interestingly, BITC and PEITC promoted the levels of NO production and increased the iNOS enzyme. Confocal laser microscope also demonstrated that BITC and PEITC promoted the release of cytochrome c and AIF, suggesting that both compounds induced apoptosis through ROS, caspase-3 and mitochondrial, and NO signaling pathways. Taken together, these molecular alterations and signaling pathways offer an insight into BITC and PEITC-caused growth inhibition, G2/M arrest, and apoptotic death of U-2 OS cells.

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) inhibits mouse colon tumor in mouse CT-26 cells allograft model in vivo.

Our earlier studies showed that DATS induced apoptosis in human colon cancer HT29 and colo 205 cell lines in vitro. However, there is no report to show that DATS induced apoptosis in vitro and inhibited CT26 cancer cells in vivo on a murine allograft animal model. In vitro studies, the results indicated that DATS induced morphological changes and induction of apoptosis in CT26 cells. In vivo studies, CT26 cancer cells were implanted into BALB/c mice and groups of mice were treated with vehicle, DATS (10 and 50 mg/kg of body weight). DATS were injected once per four days intraperitoneally (i.p.), with treatment starting 4 weeks prior to cells inoculation. Treatment with vehicle or with 10 and 50 mg/kg of DATS resulted in a reduction in tumor volume and weight. Tumor volume and total hemoglobin in allograft mice treated with 50 mg/kg DATS were significantly smaller than that in the control group. These findings indicated that DATS inhibits tumor growth in an allograft animal model. Thus, DATS may represent a colon cancer preventive agent and can be used in the future.

Proteomic analysis of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in patients with asthma between typical therapy (controlled) and no typical therapy (uncontrolled) level.

UNLABELLED: T-lymphocyte (T-LC)-derived cytokines have been implicated in asthmatic pathogenesis. Proteomic technology is now widely accepted as a complementary technology to genetic profiling. We investigated the changes of proteins in T-LC of asthmatic patients from the no typical therapy (uncontrolled) to typical therapy (controlled) level by using standard proteome technology. METHODS: The proteins of CD4+ T-LC were isolated from the whole blood of six asthmatic patients from uncontrolled to controlled levels over 3 months. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed and coomassie blue stained protein spots were comparatively analyzed by using an image analyzer. Some differentially expressed spots were identified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and database search. Our results showed that 13 proteins showed different expression. Six protein spots in the CD4+ T-LC of the uncontrolled asthmatic patients were increased and 7 spots were decreased compared to those of the controlled subjects. In conclusion, the proteomic examination of the CD4+ T-LC revealed some differentially expressed proteins in the uncontrolled and controlled asthmatic patients. The possibility of using the differentially expressed proteins as important biomarkers and therapeutic targets warrants further study.

The novel quinolone CHM-1 induces DNA damage and inhibits DNA repair gene expressions in a human osterogenic sarcoma cell line.

20-Fluoro-6,7-methylenedioxy-2-phenyl-4-quino-lone (CHM-1) has been reported to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in many types of cancer cells. However, there is no available information to show CHM-1 affecting DNA damage and expression of associated repair genes. Herein, we investigated whether or not CHM-1 induced DNA damage and affected DNA repair gene expression in U-2 OS human osterogenic sarcoma cells. The comet assay showed that incubation of U-2 OS cells with 0, 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6 µM of CHM-1 led to a longer DNA migration smear (comet tail). DNA gel electrophoresis showed that 3 µM of CHM-1 for 24 and 48 h treatment induced DNA fragmentation in U-2 OS cells. Real-time PCR analysis showed that treatment with 3 µM of CHM-1 for 24 h reduced the mRNA expression levels of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR), breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1), 14-3-3sigma (14-3-3σ), DNA-dependent serine/threonine protein kinase (DNA-PK) and O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) genes in a time-dependent manner. Taken together, the results indicate that CHM-1 caused DNA damage and reduced DNA repair genes in U-2 OS cells, which may be the mechanism for CHM-1-inhibited cell growth and induction of apoptosis.

Curcumin induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells through ER stress and caspase cascade- and mitochondria-dependent pathways.

It has been reported that curcumin inhibited various types of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. However, mechanisms of curcumin-inhibited cell growth and -induced apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H460) still remain unclear. In this study, NCI-H460 cells were treated with curcumin to determine its anticancer activity. Different concentrations of curcumin were used for different durations in NCI-H460 cells and the subsequent changes in the cell morphology, viability, cell cycle, mRNA and protein expressions were determined. Curcumin induced apoptotic morphologic changes in NCI-H460 cells in a dose-dependent manner. After curcumin treatment, BAX and BAD were up-regulated, BCL-2, BCL-X(L) and XIAP were down-regulated. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular Ca(2+) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were increased in NCI-H460 cells after exposure to curcumin. These signals led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)) and culminated in caspase-3 activation. Curcumin-induced apoptosis was also stimulated through the FAS/caspase-8 (extrinsic) pathway and ER stress proteins, growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible gene 153 (GADD153) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) were activated in the NCI-H460 cells. Apoptotic cell death induced by curcumin was significantly reversed by pretreatment with ROS scavenger or caspase-8 inhibitor. Furthermore, the NCI-H460 cells tended to be arrested at the G(2)/M cell cycle stage after curcumin treatment and down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) may be involved. In summary, curcumin exerts its anticancer effects on lung cancer NCI-H460 cells through apoptosis or cell cycle arrest.

Serum and pleural fluid procalcitonin in predicting bacterial infection in patients with parapneumonic effusion.

This study evaluated the value of procalcitonin (PCT) levels in pleural effusion to differentiate the etiology of parapneumonic effusion (PPE). Forty-one consecutive PPE patients were enrolled and were divided into bacterial and non-bacterial PPE. Blood and pleural effusion samples were collected for PCT measurement on admission and analyzed for diagnostic evaluation. PCT of pleural fluid was significantly increased in the bacterial PPE group (0.24 ng/mL) compared to the non-bacterial PPE group (0.09 ng/mL), but there was no significant difference for serum PCT. A PCT concentration of pleural fluid >0.174 ng/mL (best cut-off value) was considered positive for a diagnosis of bacterial PPE (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 76%; AUC, 0.84). Pleural effusion PCT in the bacterial PPE is significantly different from those of the non-bacterial PPE and control groups, so the diagnostic use of PCT still warrants further investigation.

Lung cancer at a medical center in Southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, lung cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death and its incidence has been rising for the last 50 years. Shifts in histological types and differences in gender distribution have also accompanied the changed incidence of lung malignancies. METHODS: A total of 590 lung cancer patients were interviewed at Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, a medical center of Southern Taiwan, in 1997 and 2002. A retrospective investigation confirmed the age-adjusted incident rate in the hospital and demographic variations by different histological types for both genders. The statistical differences were evaluated using the heterogeneity chi-squared test and Cox regression. RESULTS: Results indicated that from 1997 to 2002, the age-adjusted rates of lung cancer decreased by 3.64% at the hospital. The largest percentage of increases in the age-adjusted rate was observed for small cell lung cancer (approximately 8.18%), whereas it decreased by 31.2% for squamous cell carcinoma and increased by 1.62% for adenocarcinoma. Female patients were found to be younger and had longer survival duration. The frequency was the highest for lesions in the upper lobe and patients had more advanced stage in all histological types. The 6-month relative survival rate between the two time-periods did not change appreciably. CONCLUSIONS: The age-adjusted incidence rate of adenocarcinoma at the hospital has increased, as well as small cell lung carcinoma. During the study period, early-staging diagnosis and 6-months survival rate did not change appreciably for the different histological lung cancer patients, suggesting that therapeutic and diagnostic advances, prevention or screening procedures had mild effects in southern Taiwan. Further studies are needed for confirmation of our results.