Objective To evaluate laparoscopy for insertion of peritoneal catheters in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Methods Twenty patients of end-stage renal disease.During laparoscopic surgery,the peritoneal catheter was advanced into the abdomen by inducing thread.Results All procedures were completed by laparoscopy successfully. There was no intraoperative complication or surgical mortality. Conclusion Laparoscopy is feasible, safe, and effective for peritoneal catheters placement.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of getting retroperitoneal lymph node biopsy via technique of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(NOTES)in human being with current available devices.Methods We performed trans-gastric endoscopic biopsy of retroperitoneal lymph node with the aid of laparoscopy in a 50-year-old man,who presented with abdominal pain and enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes and signed a written informed consent before the procedure.After routine anesthesia and abdominal skin sterilization,a pneumoperitoneum was induced with a Veress needle placed in the umbilical area,followed by the introduction of a 5-mm trocar.Gastral cavity Was sterilized with antibiotics and povidone iodine.Under laparoscopie optical control,we made a styliform incision in the anterior wall of gastric corpus with a needle knife,and enlarged the incision by a dilatation balloon and then entered the peritoneal cavity with a sterile endoscope.We got two biopsies from the enlarged lymph node with a heat forceps assisted by laparoscopy.The specimen was taken out by retrieval basket through the stomach.The gastric incision Was closed with metal clips.Results The biopsy by means of NOTES was successfully performed without intra-or postoperative complications.The diagnosis was confirmed as lymphoma pathologically.The patient received chemotherapy and was discharged on the sixth postoperative day.There was no short or long-term complication.Conclusion Transgastric access for laparoscopy-assisted biopsy of retroperitoneal lymph node is feasible and safe in human being.

Objective To evaluate the nutritional status of morbid obesity (MO) before and after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and the safety of LAGB.Methods LAGB was performed in 15 cases from Jun.2003 to Nov.2003.Patients′ nutritional parameters were determined before and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.Results There was a significant reduction of weight and body mass index (BMI) ( P 0.05).Conclusion No major nutritional deficiencies were found following LAGB.It is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity.

OBJECTIVETo improve the water solubility and biological activity of neoligans (magnolol and honokiol) and test the antitumor activity of the modified compounds.

METHODSThe glycosylated products of magnolol and honokiol were obtained by enzymatic synthesis using a UDP-glycosyltransferase (YjiC) from Bacillus. The products were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition of 4 human cancer cell lines induced by the compounds.

RESULTSWe obtained two glucosides of neolignans (magnolol and honokiol) for the first time by enzymatic synthesis using a UDP-glycosyltransferase. Based on the spectroscopic data, the glucosides were identified as magnolol-2- O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and honokiol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2). Compounds 1-4 exhibited moderate anti-proliferative activities against the 4 human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 9.41 to 111.21 µmol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe glycoslated products show enhanced water solubility and drug sensitivity against SMMC7721 cells, suggesting their value as potential therapeutic drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Glycosylation ; Humans ; Lignans ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of the Hsp90 inhibitor anacardic acid on cell proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

METHODSThe inhibitory effect of anacardic acid on Hsp90 was assessed with in vitro ATPase inhibition assay and ATP-sepharose binding assay. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition induced by anacardic acid in MDA-MB-231 cells. Transwell assays were used to evaluate MDA-MB-231 cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was performed to assess the effect of anacardic acid in triggering the degradation of MMP-9, TIMP-1, Hsp90, and Hsp70.

RESULTSAnacardic acid exhibited a modest activity of ATPase inhibition with an IC50 value of 82.5 µmol/L. Anacardic acid significantly suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value of 29.3 µmol/L). Treatment with 12.5, 25, and 50 µmol/L anacardic acid for 36 h caused inhibition of cell invasion by 23.6%, 56.6%, and 67.0% in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively (P<0.05), and anacardic acid treatment for 24 h inhibited the cell migration by 30.0%, 45.5%, and 77.5%, respectively (P<0.05). Anacardic acid dose-dependently induced MMP-9 degradation, but did not obviously affect Hsp90 or Hsp70 expressions.

CONCLUSIONAnacardic acid can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of Hsp90 ATPse activity and down-regulation of MMP-9 expression.

Anacardic Acids ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of the Hsp90 inhibitor anacardic acid on cell proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods The inhibitory effect of anacardic acid on Hsp90 was assessed with in vitro ATPase inhibition assay and ATP-sepharose binding assay. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition induced by anacardic acid in MDA-MB-231 cells. Transwell assays were used to evaluate MDA-MB-231 cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was performed to assess the effect of anacardic acid in triggering the degradation of MMP-9, TIMP-1, Hsp90, and Hsp70. Results Anacardic acid exhibited a modest activity of ATPase inhibition with an IC50 value of 82.5 μmol/L. Anacardic acid significantly suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value of 29.3 μmol/L). Treatment with 12.5, 25, and 50μmol/L anacardic acid for 36 h caused inhibition of cell invasion by 23.6%, 56.6%, and 67.0%in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively (P<0.05), and anacardic acid treatment for 24 h inhibited the cell migration by 30.0%, 45.5%, and 77.5%, respectively (P<0.05). Anacardic acid dose-dependently induced MMP-9 degradation, but did not obviously affect Hsp90 or Hsp70 expressions. Conclusion Anacardic acid can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of Hsp90 ATPse activity and down-regulation of MMP-9 expression.

Objective To explore the effect of the Hsp90 inhibitor anacardic acid on cell proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods The inhibitory effect of anacardic acid on Hsp90 was assessed with in vitro ATPase inhibition assay and ATP-sepharose binding assay. MTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition induced by anacardic acid in MDA-MB-231 cells. Transwell assays were used to evaluate MDA-MB-231 cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was performed to assess the effect of anacardic acid in triggering the degradation of MMP-9, TIMP-1, Hsp90, and Hsp70. Results Anacardic acid exhibited a modest activity of ATPase inhibition with an IC50 value of 82.5 μmol/L. Anacardic acid significantly suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value of 29.3 μmol/L). Treatment with 12.5, 25, and 50μmol/L anacardic acid for 36 h caused inhibition of cell invasion by 23.6%, 56.6%, and 67.0%in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively (P<0.05), and anacardic acid treatment for 24 h inhibited the cell migration by 30.0%, 45.5%, and 77.5%, respectively (P<0.05). Anacardic acid dose-dependently induced MMP-9 degradation, but did not obviously affect Hsp90 or Hsp70 expressions. Conclusion Anacardic acid can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of Hsp90 ATPse activity and down-regulation of MMP-9 expression.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) in sensitizing hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis and its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe growth inhibition of HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells following exposures to different concentrations of 3-BP and cisplatin was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis of cells treated with 100 µmol/L 3-BP with or without 8 µmol/L cisplatin was assessed using flow cytometry with PI staining, and the activity of caspase-3 and intracellular ATP level were detected using commercial detection kits; the expression of XIAP and PARP was analyzed using Western blotting.

RESULTS3-BP produced obvious inhibitory effects on HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells at the concentrations of 50-400 µmol/L with IC50 values of 238.9∓13.9 µmol/L and 278.7∓11.7 µmol/L for a 48-h treatment, respectively. Cisplatin also inhibited the growth of HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells at the concentrations of 2-32 µmol/L, with IC50 values of 16.4∓0.9 µmol/L and 20.9∓1.8 µmol/L after a 48-h treatment, respectively. Treatment with 100 µmol/L 3-BP combined with 8 µmol/L cisplatin for 48 h resulted in a growth inhibition rate of (60.6∓2.2)% in HepG2 cells and (56.8∓2.3)% in SMMC7721 cells, which were significantly higher than those in cells treated with 3-BP or cisplatin alone. The combined treatment for 48 h induced an apoptotic rate of (51.1∓4.3)% in HepG2 cells and (46.5∓3.9)% in SMMC7721 cells, which were also markedly higher than those in cells with 3-BP or cisplatin treatment alone.

CONCLUSION3-BP can sensitize HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis possibly by causing intracellular ATP deficiency, down-regulating XIAP, and increasing caspase-3 activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Pyruvates ; pharmacology ; X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) in sensitizing hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis and its possible mechanism. Methods The growth inhibition of HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells following exposures to different concentrations of 3-BP and cisplatin was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis of cells treated with 100μmol/L 3-BP with or without 8μmol/L cisplatin was assessed using flow cytometry with PI staining, and the activity of caspase-3 and intracellular ATP level were detected using commercial detection kits; the expression of XIAP and PARP was analyzed using Western blotting. Results 3-BP produced obvious inhibitory effects on HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells at the concentrations of 50-400 μmol/L with IC50 values of 238.9 ± 13.9 μmol/L and 278.7 ± 11.7 μmol/L for a 48-h treatment, respectively. Cisplatin also inhibited the growth of HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells at the concentrations of 2-32μmol/L, with IC50 values of 16.4±0.9μmol/L and 20.9±1.8μmol/L after a 48-h treatment, respectively. Treatment with 100μmol/L 3-BP combined with 8 μmol/L cisplatin for 48 h resulted in a growth inhibition rate of (60.6 ± 2.2)% in HepG2 cells and (56.8 ± 2.3)% in SMMC7721 cells, which were significantly higher than those in cells treated with 3-BP or cisplatin alone. The combined treatment for 48 h induced an apoptotic rate of (51.1±4.3)%in HepG2 cells and (46.5±3.9)%in SMMC7721 cells, which were also markedly higher than those in cells with 3-BP or cisplatin treatment alone. Conclusion 3-BP can sensitize HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis possibly by causing intracellular ATP deficiency, down-regulating XIAP, and increasing caspase-3 activity.

Objective To evaluate the anticoagulant and antineoplastic activities of chemically modified low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Methods LMWH obtained by splitting unfractionated heparin (UFH) with sodium periodate oxidation and sodium borohydride reduction was subjected to acetylation catalyzed by DCC and DMAP to produce acetylated LMWH (ALMWH). The anticoagulant activity of ALMWH was determined in mice, and its antiproliferative and anti-invasion activities was assessed in human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and MFC-7. Results The anticoagulant activity of LMWH was decreased significantly after acetylation. The concentrations of commercial LMWH* and ALMWH for doubling the coagulation time (CT) were 33.04 μmol/L and 223.56 μmol/L, respectively, and the IC50 of ALMWH for doubling CT was 6 times of that of LMWH*. ALMWH and LMWH at 0.1, 0.3, 0.9, 2.7 and 8.1 mmol/L both significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but ALMWH produced stronger inhibitory effects. The IC50 of LMWH and ALMWH for inhibiting cell proliferation was 3168.4 μmol/L and 152.6 μmol/L in MCF-7 cells, and 12299.6 μmol/L and 22.2 μmol/L in MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. ALMWH and LMWH all markedly suppressed the invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells with comparable effects. Conclusion Chemical modification of structure can endow LMWH with a low anticoagulant and high antiproliferative activities.