Chemokine CXCL3 mediates prostate cancer cells proliferation, migration and gene expression changes in an autocrine/paracrine fashion.

INTRODUCTION: We have previously indicated that CXCL3 was upregulated in the tissues of prostate cancer, and exogenous administration of CXCL3 played a predominant role in the tumorigenicity of prostate cancer cells. In the present study, we further explored the role and the underlying mechanism of CXCL3 overexpression in the oncogenic potential of prostate cancer in an autocrine/paracrine fashion. METHODS: CXCL3-overexpressing prostate cancer cell line PC-3 and immortalized prostate stromal cell line WPMY-1 were established by gene transfection. CCK-8, transwell assays and growth of tumor xenografts were conducted to characterize the effects of CXCL3 on PC-3 cells' proliferation and migration. Western blotting was conducted to test whether CXCL3 could affect the expression of tumorigenesis-associated genes. RESULTS: The results showed that CXCL3 overexpression in PC-3 cells and the PC-3 cells treated with the supernatants of CXCL3-transfected WPMY-1 cells stimulated the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells in vitro and in a nude mouse xenograft model. Western blotting revealed higher levels of p-ERK, Akt and Bcl-2 and lower levels of Bax in the tumor xenografts transplanted with CXCL3-transfected PC-3 cells. Moreover, the tumor xenografts derived from the PC-3 cells treated with supernatants of CXCL3-transfected WPMY-1 cells showed higher expression of ERK, Akt and Bcl-2 and lower expression of Bax. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that CXCL3 autocrine/paracrine pathways are involved in the development of prostate cancer by regulating the expression of the target genes that are related to the progression of malignancies.

Labor Onset, Oxytocin Use, and Epidural Anesthesia for Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section and Associated Effects on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in a Tertiary Hospital in China: A Retrospective Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>In the mainland of China, the trial of labor after cesarean section is still a relatively new technique. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of labor onset, oxytocin use, and epidural anesthesia on maternal and neonatal outcomes for vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) in a tertiary hospital in China.</p><p><b>Methods</b>This was a retrospective study carried out on 212 VBAC cases between January 2015 and June 2017 in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Relevant data were acquired on a form, including maternal age, gravidity and parity, body mass index before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, type of labor onset, gestational age, the use of oxytocin and epidural anesthesia, birth mode, the duration of labor, and neonatal weight. The factors affecting maternal and neonatal outcomes for cases involving VBAC, especially with regards to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and fetal distress, were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.</p><p><b>Results</b>Data showed that 36 women (17.0%) had postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and 51 cases (24.1%) featured fetal distress. Normal delivery took place for 163 infants (76.9%) while 49 infants (23.1%) underwent operative vaginal deliveries with forceps. There were 178 cases (84.0%) of spontaneous labor and 34 cases (16.0%) required induction. Oxytocin was used in 54 cases (25.5%) to strengthen uterine contraction, and 65 cases (30.7%) received epidural anesthesia. The rate of normal delivery in cases involving PPH was significantly lower than those without PPH (61.1% vs. 80.1%; χ = 6.07, P = 0.01). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the intrapartum administration of oxytocin (odds ratio [OR] = 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-5.74; P = 0.04) and birth mode (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.18-0.87; P = 0.02) was significantly associated with PPH in VBAC cases. Operative vaginal delivery occurred more frequently in the group with fetal distress than the group without (49.0% vs. 14.9%, χ = 25.36, P = 0.00). Multivariate logistic analysis also revealed that the duration of total labor (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00-1.03; P = 0.04) and the gestational week of delivery (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.05-1.11; P = 0.00) were significantly associated with fetal distress in VBAC.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>The administration of oxytocin during labor and birth was identified as a protective factor for PPH in VBAC while birth mode was identified as a risk factor. Finally, the duration of total labor and the gestational week of delivery were identified as risk factors for fetal distress in cases of VBAC. This information might help obstetricians provide appropriate interventions during labor and birth for VBAC.</p>