[Establishment and evaluation of pre-metastatic niche mouse model labelled with luciferase in lewis lung cancer cells].

Objective This study aimed to establish a pre-metastatic niche mouse model utilizing luciferase-labeled Lewis (Luc-Lewis) lung cancer cells and to assess the efficacy of this model employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Methods C57BL/6 mice were categorized into two groups: a normal control group and a model group, each containing 15 individual mice. The pre-metastatic niche model was established via tail vein injection of Luc-Lewis lung cancer cells. Body mass were measured daily for all groups. Tumor fluorescence signals within the mice were detected using a high-throughput enzyme marker instrument. Lung tissue specimens were harvested to evaluate metastatic progression. HE staining was used to assess histopathological changes. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), versican (VCAN), and fibronectin (FN), which are the specific markers for the formation of the microenvironment of lung tissues before metastasis. Results Significant declines in body mass and observable lethargy were noted in the model group when compared to the control group. Distinct fluorescence signals were observed in the lung tissue of the model group, demonstrating a positive correlation with the duration of model establishment. By day 14, elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of LOX, MMP9, VCAN, and FN were significantly evident. In addition, histopathological evaluations revealed augmented interstitial thickness, alveolar atrophy and significant inflammatory cell infiltration within the lung tissues of the model group. By the 21st day, metastatic lesions manifested in the lung tissues of the model group, suggesting an approximate pre-metastatic niche maturation timeline of 14 days. Conclusion A pre-metastatic niche mouse model for Lewis lung cancer is successfully established.

Inhibitory Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharide on Premetastatic Niche of Lung Cancer through the S1PR1-STAT3 Signaling Pathway.

As a common malignant tumor, the morbidity and mortality of lung cancer have been rising in recent years. The concept of "premetastatic niche" may lead to a revolutionary change in antitumor metastasis therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine with multitargets and lower poisonous agents may be a potentially effective means to intervene in the "premetastatic niche (PMN)" to prevent and treat tumor metastasis. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is a substance with strong immune activity in Astragalus membranaceus that has excellent biological activities such as immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor. In this study, we constructed a tumor lung metastasis animal model to explore the intervention mechanism of APS on the premetastatic niche. We found that APS inhibited the formation of the lung premetastatic niche and inhibited the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the lung. Mechanistically, we showed that the proteins and gene expression of S1PR1, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in the S1PR1/STAT3 signaling pathway were suppressed by APS. In line with the above findings, our results confirmed that APS may inhibit the accumulation of MDSCs in the premetastatic niche through the intervention of the S1PR1-STAT3 signaling pathway to achieve the antitumor effect.

Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge have a positive effect on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology. Oxytropis falcata Bunge (O. falcata) is a 1-35 cm high perennial clustered herb, also known as edaxia, has viscosity and a special smell, and is mainly distributed in the western areas of China. The root of O. falcata has a diameter of 6 mm, is straight and deep, dark red and its stems are shortened, woody and multibranched. O. falcata has heat-clearing, detoxification, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hemostatic and antitumor activities. Furthermore, O. falcata has excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and it is one of the three major anti-inflammatory drugs in Tibetan medicine, known as "the king of herbs". Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge (FOFB) were previously extracted, and their pharmacological activities are consistent with those of the whole herb. In this study, FOFB was extracted from O. falcata by ethanol extraction, and the mechanism of FOFB on IPF was verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we aimed to observe the effects of FOFB on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In in vivo experiments, an IPF rat model was established by bleomycin induction. The rats were treated with FOFB (100, 200, 400 mg kg-1·d-1) for 4 weeks. Masson staining and the expression of TGF-ß, p-Smad2, p-Smad3 and Smad7 in the lung tissue of rats were detected. In in vitro experiments, we perfused normal rats with FOFB (100, 200, 400 mg kg-1·d-1) and obtained the corresponding drug-containing serum. The HFL-1 cell model induced by TGF-ß1 was used to detect the corresponding indices through intervention with drug-containing serum. The best intervention time for drug-containing serum was detected by the CCK-8 method. Changes in apoptosis, cytoskeleton and rough endoplasmic reticulum structure were detected. Finally, the expression of TGF-ß, p-Smad2, p-Smad3 and Smad7 in cells was examined. RESULTS: In vivo, Masson staining indicated that the degree of pulmonary fibrosis increased significantly, the expression of TGF-ß, p-smad2 and p-Smad3 increased significantly, and the expression of Smad7 decreased in the model group. We found that the degree of pulmonary fibrosis gradually decreased and that the inhibition of the TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway became more obvious with increasing FOFB dose. FOFB (400 mg kg-1·d-1) significantly improved the degree of pulmonary fibrosis in rats. In in vitro experiments, the CCK-8 results showed that 120 h was the best intervention time for drug-containing serum. In the model group, there was no obvious apoptosis or changes in microfilaments and microtubules, the number of rough endoplasmic reticulum increased, and the expression of TGF-ß, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 increased significantly, while the expression of Smad7 decreased significantly. We found that with the increase in drug-containing serum concentration, the apoptosis, cytoskeleton and degree of destruction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the HFL-1 cell model also increased, and the inhibition of the TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway became more pronounced; the effect of the drug-containing serum administered with FOFB (400 mg kg-1·d-1) was the most significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that FOFB can improve the occurrence and development of IPF. The effect of FOFB on IPF may be mediated by inhibition of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

Effect of Total Flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge on the Expression of p-JAK1-and p-STAT1-Related Proteins in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the effect of total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge (FOFB) on the expression of p-JAK1/p-STAT1 and SOCS3 proteins in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: Rats model with IPF was established by one-off intratracheal injection of bleomycin (BLM, 5 mg/kg). After 14 days, the same volume of low dose (100 mg/kg), medium dose (200 mg/kg), and high dose (400 mg/kg) of FOFB and prednisolone acetate (20 mg/kg) as positive control drugs, as well as normal saline, were orally administered to rats once a day for 28 consecutive days. Subsequently, the degree of fibrosis and alveolitis in rat lung tissue was observed, respectively, by HE and Masson staining. Further more, observing the ultrastructure of lung tissue by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the detection of JAK/STAT pathway related indicators including p-JAK1, p-STAT1, and SOCS3 with immunohistochemistry and SOCS3 with real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was performed. RESULTS: Compared with the BLM group, the degree of alveolitis and fibrosis improved significantly, and the expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1 decreased; conversely, the expression of SOCS3 increased in the treatment group. CONCLUSION: IPF causes high expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1 and low expression of SOCS3. FOFB can play a role in the treatment of IPF via upregulating SOCS3 and downregulating p-JAK1 and p-STAT1.

[Astragalus polysaccharide inhibits autophagy and regulates expression of autophagy-related proteins in lung cancer A549 cells induced by xanthine oxidase].

Objective To investigate the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on autophagy and expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and beclin1 in xanthine oxidase (XOD)-induced autophagic model of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. Methods A549 cells were divided into five groups: control group, model group, 100, 200 and 400 µg/mL APS-treated group. Except for control group, all groups were administered XOD for 24 hours to establish autophagic models. Morphology of autophagosome was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the number was counted by monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining. The expression levels of LC3B, beclin1 and mTOR were detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the number of autophagosome in the model group increased; the expression of LC3B and beclin1 significantly increased; while the expression of mTOR significantly decreased. Compared with the model group, the number of autophagosome decreased remarkably; the expression of LC3B and beclin1 severely decreased, and the expression of mTOR obviously increased in 200 or 400 µg/mL APS-treated group. Conclusion APS reduces the level of autophagy, down-regulates the expression of LC3B and beclin1, and increases mTOR expression in the autophagic model of A549 cells induced by XOD.

[Astragalus polysaccharide combined with cisplatin inhibits growth of recurrent tumor and down-regulats the expression of CD44, CD62P and osteopontin in tumor tissues in mice bearing Lewis lung cancer].

Objective To investigate the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) combined with cisplatin (DDP) on the pathological morphology of recurrent tumor and the expression of metastasis-related proteins CD44, CD62P and osteopontin (OPN) following Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) surgery. Methods LLC cell suspension was injected subcutaneously into palmula of left hind limb of C57BL/6J mice as a tumor-supply group. The other 80 mice were randomized into 8 groups: model group, APS-treated groups at different concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL, 6 mg/kg DDP-treated group, and 3 mg/kg DDP combined with 50, 100, 200 µg/mL APS-treated groups. The palmula tumor cells were collected from the tumor-supply group 10 days after LLC injection and then injected subcutaneously into all of the 80 mice to establish the recurrent and metastatic mouse models of lung cancer. Subsequently, corresponding different substances were administrated intraperitoneally in the different treated groups since the next day. After 15 days' administration, all the mice were sacrificed by cervical spine dislocation. Morphological characteristics were observed by H&E staining, and the protein expression of CD44, CD62P and OPN were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the model group, the pathological changes of the recurrent tissues in each treatment group were alleviated to some extent, especially in the DDP combined with 200 µg/mL APS group; the expression of CD44, CD62P and OPN in each treatment group decreased, especially in the DDP group and DDP combined with 100 and 200 µg/mL APS-treated groups. Conclusion APS combined with DDP could significantly inhibit the growth and metastasis of Lewis lung cancer cells, which might be associated with the reduced expression of CD44, CD62P and OPN.

Research progress of bone destruction related signaling pathways in bone metastases from lung cancer / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# 晚期肺癌患者骨转移发病率高，骨折、神经压迫、骨痛等并发症多，不仅影响患者的生活质量，而且增加了患者的经济 负担及心理压力。肺癌骨转移后，癌细胞和骨组织微环境间进行复杂的相互作用，有多种相关信号通路参与其中，通过复杂的机 制最终形成成骨性骨破坏、溶骨性骨破坏及混合性骨破坏。尽管目前对相关信号通路的研究取得了一定的成果，但其在调控成 骨/破骨细胞分化及骨形成/骨溶解方面的确切分子机制及相互作用方式仍未阐明。随着研究的进一步深入，将会揭开肺癌骨转 移后骨破坏过程的完整机制，为临床有效防治肺癌骨转移提供新的理论依据与治疗靶点。本文从溶骨性骨破坏、成骨性骨破坏 和混合性骨破坏3个方面阐述近年来对肺癌骨转移后骨破坏相关信号通路的研究进展。

[Inhibitory effect and the mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharide combined with cisplatin on growth of inplanted Lewis lung carcinoma in mice].

Objective To observe the effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) combined with cisplatin (DDP) on the expressions of cytochrome C (CytC) and high temperature required serine protease A2 (Omi/HtrA2) in the mice with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) transplantated tumors. Methods Ninty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, and (50, 100, 200) µg/mL APS groups, 6 mg/kg DDP group, 3 mg/kg DDP combined with (50, 100, 200) µg/mL APS groups. Each group included 10 mice. Except the mice in the normal group, the rest mice were inoculated subcutaneously with LLC cells (1×107 mL) at the right fore axillary fossa to establish tumor-bearing mouse models. In the second day of building models, the mice in the treatment group were given intraperitoneal injection of 0.3 mL of the drug. DDP was given once a week, and the other drugs once a day. The mice in the normal group and the model group were administrated the same amount of saline injection for continuous 20 days. All mice were killed at the 21st day. The pathological changes of tumor tissues were observed by HE staining. The expressions and location of CytC and Omi/HtrA2 proteins in the transplanted tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining and image analysis. Results The mass of tumor decreased in the mice of (100, 200) µg/mL APS group and 3 mg/kg DDP combined with (100, 200) µg/mL APS group. Compared with the model group, the necrosis of tumor tissues in 200 µg/mL APS combined with 3 mg/kg DDP group was the most obvious. The expressions of CytC and Omi/HtrA2 increased in the treatment groups, and the increase was the most remarkable in 200 µg/mL APS combined with 3 mg/kg DDP group. Conclusion APS and APS combined with DDP can restrain the growth of Lewis Lung cancer in C57BL/6J mice, which may be related to the increased expressions of CytC and Omi/HtrA2.

Intervention effect of pinelliae decoction for purging stomach-fire on malignant transformation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the gastric cancer microenvironment.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to simulate the microenvironment of gastric cancer to promote the malignant transformation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and further evaluate the effect of Pinelliae Decoction for Purging Stomach-Fire and its disassembled prescriptions on BMSCs. METHODS: Transwell co-culture was performed on the human gastric cancer cell strains BGC-823 and BMSCs to simulate the microenvironment of gastric cancer. The drug-containing serum prepared by Pinelliae Decoction for Purging Stomach-Fire and its disassembled prescriptions was used, and its influence on BMSCs with malignant transformation was observed. RESULTS: BMSCs were harvested successfully from the rat bone marrow, and flow cytometer identification indicated that CD44+/CD34- cells accounted for 70.64%. The co-culture of BGC-823 cells can induce malignant transformation of BMSCs. And the drug-containing serum can induce G2 phase arrest, inhibit cell proliferation, simultaneously inhibit TERT and c-myc expression, lower the cellular ability of chemotactic migration, inhibit the tumor-forming ability of BGC-823 in nude rats and promote the tumor apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The effective components of Pinelliae Decoction for Purging Stomach-Fire in gastric cancer treatment are pinelliae and dried ginger, and the main acting mechanism is to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and chemotactic migration and promote apoptosis.

[Effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction Containing Serum on Proliferation, Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis Cell Line GC9811-P].

Objective To observe the effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) containing ser- um on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of in vitro human gastric cancer peritoneum cell strain GC9811-P (which has high metastatic potential). Methods BXD containing serum was prepared. GC9811-P cells were inoculated in the E-Plate 96 and CIM Plate 16, and then 0, 25, 50, 100 µL/mL BXD containing serums were added respectively. Meanwhile, GC9811-P cells were stained by Diff-Quik stai- ning method. Inhibition of BXD containing serum on cell index (CI) for proliferation of GC9811-P cells, invasion and metastasis were observed by real time cellular analysis (RTCA) and Diff-Quik staining method. Results BXD containing serum could obviously inhibit the proliferation of GC9811-P cells. The Cl approximated to 0 after 70 h. Most stained Diff-Quik cells died. Cell migration curve showed that 25, 50, 100 µL/mL BXD containing serums could obviously inhibit the capacities for cell migration of GC9811-P cells in concentration dependent manner. The number of migration cells was reduced more obviously, as com- pared with 0 µL/mL BXD containing serum (P <0. 05). Conclusion BXD containing serums could inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of GC9811-P cells, which might be associated with blocking peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

[Astragalus polysaccharides combined with cisplatin decreases the serum levels of CD44 and collagen type IV and hyaluronic acid in mice bearing Lewis lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) combined with cisplatin on growth of Lewis lung cancer (LLC), serum content of collagen type IV (Col4) and hyaluronic acid (HA), and CD44 protein level in LLC-bearing mice. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice (n=90) were randomly divided into 2 groups, 10 mice for blank control group, and 80 mice for tumor-bearing group. The tumor-bearing group was then randomized into 8 subgroups, 10 mice for each subgroup. The tumor-bearing mice were treated by peritoneal injection of normal saline, 6 mg/kg cisplatin, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg APS, and 3 mg/kg cisplatin combined with 50, 100, 200 mg/kg APS, respectively. APS (0.3 mL) was injected once a day from the first to the 20th day after LLC transplantation, and cisplatin of the same volume was injected once a week. On the 21st day, the blood was taken from the eyeballs of all experimental mice. Col4 and HA contents in serum were detected by radioimmunoassay. The expression of CD44 in transplanted tumor cells was determined by immunohistochemistry and image analysis. The inhibition rate of tumor growth was also counted. RESULTS: The inhibition rates of 6 mg/kg cisplatin, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg APS, and 3 mg/kg cisplatin combined with 50, 100, 200 mg/kg APS on LLC growth in the mice were 49.30%, 17.21%, 39.68%, 42.98%, 51.02%, 57.21% and 65.11%, respectively. Compared with the control subgroup of the tumor-bearing group, cisplatin, APS and cisplatin combined with APS reduced significantly the Col4 and HA content in serum, and down-regulated the expression of CD44. CONCLUSION: APS can inhibit the growth of LLC cells, reduce the Col4 and HA content in serum, down-regulate the expression of CD44 protein in LLC-bearing mice, and enhance the therapeutic effect when combined with cisplatin, indicating that it can decrease the toxicity of cisplatin against tumor.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate attenuates radiation-induced fibrosis damage in cardiac fibroblasts.

The main pathological change in radiation-induced heart disease is fibrosis. Emerging evidence has indicated that sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) was used for treating fibrosis diseases. The present study was undertaken to characterize the effect of STS on radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis (RICF) on cultured cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). CFs were irradiated with 1 or 2 Gy X-rays, and the expression of TGF-ß1 and collagen I (Col-1) increased, indicating that low-dose X-rays promoted fibrosis damage effect. The fibrosis damage was accompanied by morphologic changes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), as well as an increase in the expression of the ER stress-related molecules, GRP78 and CHOP. Administration of STS reduced ROS production and decreased the expression of Col-1, TGF-ß1, p-Smad2/3, GRP78, and CHOP in irradiated CFs, thus weakening the radiation-induced fibrosis damage and ER stress. Radiation-induced fibrosis damage was observed on a cellular level. The involvement of ER stress in radiation-induced fibrosis damage was demonstrated for the first time. STS attenuated the fibrosis damage effect in CFs and this effect may be related to its antioxidant action, and also related to its inhibition of ER stress and TGF-ß1-Smad pathway. These results suggest that STS shows a good prospect in clinical prevention and treatment of RICF.

Assessment of Registration Information on Methodological Design of Acupuncture RCTs: A Review of 453 Registration Records Retrieved from WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

Background. This review provides the first methodological information assessment of protocol of acupuncture RCTs registered in WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Methods. All records of acupuncture RCTs registered in the ICTRP have been collected. The methodological design assessment involved whether the randomization methods, allocation concealment, and blinding were adequate or not based on the information of registration records (protocols of acupuncture RCTs). Results. A total of 453 records, found in 11 registries, were examined. Methodological details were insufficient in registration records; there were 76.4%, 89.0%, and 21.4% records that did not provide information on randomization methods, allocation concealment, and blinding respectively. The proportions of adequate randomization methods, allocation concealment, and blinding were only 107 (23.6%), 48 (10.6%), and 210 (46.4%), respectively. The methodological design improved year by year, especially after 2007. Additionally, methodology of RCTs with ethics approval was clearly superior to those without ethics approval and different among registries. Conclusions. The overall methodological design based on registration records of acupuncture RCTs is not very well but improved year by year. The insufficient information on randomization methods, allocation concealment, and blinding maybe due to the relevant description is not taken seriously in acupuncture RCTs' registration.

[Effects of Gansu Dangshen decoction on the immune function of D-galactose induced aging mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Chinese herb Dangshen decoction on the immune function of D-galactose-induced aging mice. METHODS: A total of 60 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely normal control group, aging model group, high and low concentration Dangshen treated groups, vitamin E control group. Aging mice models were made by D-galactose. We weighed all mice, determined their indexes of the spleen and thymus, observed the ultrastructure of the spleen, and detected the expression of CD138 by immunohistochemistry. The levels of serum IgG, IgM and complement C3 and C4 were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the aging mice had lower indexes of the spleen and thymus (P<0.01). Compared with aging mice, the indexes rose significantly in Dangshen treated groups and vitamin E group (P<0.01). Furthermore, the lymphocytes of the spleen were injured obviously in the aging mice, but the ultrastructure of spleen got repaired in Dangshen treated groups and vitamin E group, especially high-concentration Dangshen treated group that presented the lymphocytes nearly as normal as the normal control group. In addition, compared with the normal control group, the aging mice showed a lower expression of CD138 in the spleen(P<0.01), and the levels of IgG, IgM and complement C3 and C4 dropped sharply (P<0.01 or P<0.05). However, they were all significantly higher in the high concentration Dangshen group than in the aging mice (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and were not statistically different between the low concentration Dangshen group and the vitamin E group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The decoction of Chinese herb Dangshen in Gansu can enhance the immune function of D-galactoce-induced aging mice.

[Influence of single leaf Asarum himalaicum on renal function of rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of single leaf Asarum himalaicum on the renal function of rabbits. METHODS: Rabbits were divided into three groups. Asarum himalaicum, Asarum heterotropoides and normal saline were intravenously administered to the rabbits of one group respectively. The urine volume per minute, urine pH, urine glucose, protein and red blood cells, BUN, SCr, TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1alpha, TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha, endothelin, p-aminohippuric acid clearance rate and phenolsulfonphthalein excretion rate were tested before and after the administration. RESULTS: A certain dosage of single leaf Asarum himalaicum caused acute renal failure in rabbits. The indices tested were significantly different between rabbits administered Asarum himalaicum and normal saline. As compared with the rabbits administered Asarum heterotropoides, the results of indices tested decreased, but without statistical significance, except for SCr. CONCLUSION: The single leaf Asarum himalaicum can cause renal damage to rabbits. Its renal toxicity is lower that that of Asarum heterotropoides.