RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Berberine is an active compound found in different herbs used in Chinese medicine and is well-known for its potential anticancer properties. The study aimed to figure out the role of berberine in regulating the malignant behavior of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cells. METHODS: LSCC cell lines (SNU-899 and AMC-HN-8) were treated with different concentrations of berberine (0-200 µM) to determine its cytotoxicity. The migration, invasion, and apoptosis of LSCC cells were measured by wound healing assays, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry. Western blot was performed for the quantification of proteins involved in PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. RESULTS: The viability of LSCC cells was dose-dependently reduced by berberine. Berberine dampened LSCC cell migration and invasion while augmenting cell apoptosis, as evidenced by a reduced wound closure rate, a decrease in invaded cell number, and a surge in cell apoptosis in the context of berberine stimulation. Importantly, the effects of berberine on the cancer cell process were enhanced by LY294002 (an inhibitor for PI3K) treatment. Moreover, the protein levels of phosphorylated PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were markedly reduced in response to berberine treatment. CONCLUSION: Berberine inhibits cell viability, migration, and invasion but augments cell apoptosis by inactivating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in LSCC.
RESUMO
The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in both affected and unaffected ears of patients with pantonal unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) using three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI) and further evaluate the significance of EH in this disorder. Twenty-seven ISSHL patients were enrolled in this study. 3D-FLAIR MRI was performed 24 h after intratympanic injection of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DPTA). The incidences of EH in the affected ears and contralateral unaffected ears were compared and the correlations of EH with vertigo or prognosis were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The results showed that the incidence of EH was 68.0% (17/25) in the affected ears and 34.8% (8/23) in the unaffected ears. There was a statistically significant difference between affected ears and unaffected ears in regard to the incidence of EH (P<0.05). There were no significant correlations of EH with vertigo (P=1.000) or with prognosis (P=0.359) in the affected ears. In conclusion, there is EH in the inner ear of patients with pantonal ISSNHL; EH is not related to vertigo, a concomitant symptom of ISSNHL, and the prognosis of this condition. The presence of EH may be a secondary reaction following the impairment of the inner ears with pantonal ISSNHL.
