OBJECTIVETo observe the in vitro effect of compound 861 (Cpd 861) on tissue inhibitor of metalloprotenase 1 (TIMP1) mRNA levels of HSC-T6 cell.

METHODSHSC-T6 cells were exposed in different concentrations of Cpd 861 (0.25~1.0 mg/ml) for 48 hours. The TIMP1 level was measured by the quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe TIMP1 mRNA levels of HSC-T6 cells at different concentrations of Cpd 861 were lower (2.50 0.71, 0.50 0.01, 0.11 0.03) than those of the normal control (3.78 0.67, P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe antifibrotic mechanism of Cpd 861 is partly due to its downregulation on TIMP1 mRNA levels of HSC-T6 cells.

Animals ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Lead exposure is a known potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Exposure to lead during the critical phase of brain development has been linked with mental retardation and hypophrenia in later life. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of lead exposure of pregnant mice on the expressions of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus of their offspring. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein, and after anesthetizing the pups, the brain was excised on postnatal day 21. Lead concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the expressions of IDE and NGF were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results showed that the reduction in IDE and NGF expression in the hippocampus of pups might be associated with impairment of learning and memory and dementia induced by maternal lead exposure during pregnancy and lactation.
Animals ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Insulysin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lead ; toxicity ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of hydroquinone (HQ) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxydase activities and the expression of human 8-oxo-guanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) mRNA in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell strains.

METHODSA549 cells were treated with different concentrations of HQ. Cell survival was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Changes of ROS were detected by fluorescent probe. The contents of malonaldehyde and activities of antioxydase were determined through colorimetry. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the level of hOGG1 mRNA.

RESULTSWith the increased concentration of HQ, the findings were as follows. (1) The absorbance value of A549 cell decreased. There was significant difference between 160 micromol/L (0.584+/-0.098) and 320 micromol/L (0.328+/-0.066) of HQ (q=5.56 and 9.07, P<0.05) with the control group (0.989+/-0.150), and the cell survival rate were less than 80%. (2) The ROS in A549 cell increased. 40 micromol/L (39.80+/-4.15) and 80 micromol/L (101.99+/-9.45) had statistical significance (q=10.74 and 30.32, P<0.05) with the control group (5.71+/-0.50). (3) It was found that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) decreased and malonaldehyde (MDA) increased. Compared with the control group [(25.62+/-0.28) U/mg prot and (38.97+/-2.61) U/mg prot], the activities of SOD and GSH-Px had a significant decrease (q=12.17 and 8.78, P<0.05) in 80 micromol/L [(22.93+/-0.56) U/mg prot and (25.60+/-2.31) U/mg prot]. And MDA had a significant increase (q=10.90 and 15.49, P<0.05) in 40 micromol/L [(1.07+/-0.01) nmol/mg prot] and 80 micromol/L [(1.19+/-0.08) nmol/mg prot] as compared with the control group [(0.77+/-0.04) nmol/mg prot]. The decrease of SOD (r=-0.95, F=20.00, P=0.04) and GSH-Px activities (r=-0.99, F=115.48, P=0.01) and the increase of MDA contents (r=0.96, F=21.31, P=0.04) all had a dose-response relationship. (4) RT-PCR results showed that the expression of hOGG1 mRNA decreased. The significant difference was observed between the expression of hOGG1 mRNA in 80 micromol/L (0.478+/-0.017) (q=11.70, P<0.05) with the control group (0.715+/-0.038).

CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that HQ could induce oxidative damage and changes of the expression of hOGG1 mRNA in A549 cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Glycosylases ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroquinones ; toxicity ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

Impaired tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR-1) signaling has been found in some malignant tumors with poor prognosis. However, the exact role of TNFR-1 signaling in fibrosarcoma remains unclear. Here, we explored the question by comparing the growth of TNFR-1 deficient (Tnfr1 (-)) and TNFR-1 competent (Tnfr1 (+)) fibrosarcoma FB61 cells (FB61-m and FB61-R1) in mice. TNFR-1 expression on fibrosarcoma cells delayed their growth in vivo but not in vitro. Moreover, reduced FB61-R1 tumor growth was also obtained in TNFR-1 knockout mice. The mechanism relies mainly on the TNFR-1-mediated downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by tumor cells. Importantly, treatment of FB61-m tumors with melphalan resulted in a short delay of tumor growth, followed by a quick remission. However, when FB61-R1 tumors were treated with melphalan, tumor growth was similarly delayed at first and then completely rejected. Our results reveal evidence for TNFR-1 on tumor cells as a prerequisite in chemotherapy for fibrosarcoma, and provide novel insight into the therapeutic approach against some types of tumors using TNFR-1 angonist.
Animals ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Fibrosarcoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Melphalan ; administration & dosage ; Mice ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenluotong Decoction (SD) on serum levels of aldosterone, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), α-smooth muscle protein (α-SMA), and nuclear factor-KB (NF-κB) in obstructive nephropathy rats, and to explore the initial mechanism of SD for inhibiting renal interstitial fibrosis.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =12) and the model group (n =36). Renal interstitial fibrosis rat model was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). After successful modeling, 36 rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Chinese medicine group, and the Western medicine group, 12 in each group. Eplerenone was added in the forage at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for rats in the Western medicine group. Chinese medicine was added in the forage at the daily dose of 26 g/kg for rats in the Chinese medicine group. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily. The obstructive kidneys were extracted ten days after medication. The pathomorphological changes were observed. The contents of serum aldosterone and MCP-1, and the protein or mRNA expression of MCP-1, α-SMA, and NF-KB were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, infiltration of a large amount of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition significantly increased, serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1 obviously increased (P < 0.01), the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were significantly enhanced in the model group (P <0.01). Com- pared with the model group, infiltration of inflammatory cells and renal collagen deposition were attenua- ted in the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group, the serum MCP-1 level were reduced, and the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1 were significantly down-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were obviously inhibited (P <0. 01). At the same time, serum aldosterone level was reduced in the Chinese medicine group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSinflammatory lesions of the renal tissue could promote the progress of interstitial fibrosis in rats with obstructive nephropathy. SD could attenuate interstitial fibrosis through reducing serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1, down-regulating MCP-1/ NF-KB, and inhibiting the expression of α-SMA.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; drug therapy ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of GABA transporter (GAT-1) on the analgesic action of oxysophoridine (OSR) in the central nervous system of mice.

METHODHot plate test was used to observe and analyze the effect of gamma aminobutyric acid and the inhibitor of GAT-1 (NO-711) on the analgesic action of oxysophoridine. Real time RT-PCR was used to investigate the influence of OSR on the expression of GAT-1 mRNA induced by formalin in spinal cord and brain of mice.

RESULTBoth GABA (2.0 mg x kg(-1), icv) and NO-711(0.125 mg x kg(-1), icv) enhanced the analgesic action of OSR (32.0 mg x kg(-1), iv) in the hot plate test, and the latencies was markedly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). OSR (500.0 mg x kg(-1), iv) significantly inhibited the expression of GAT-1 mRNA induced by formalin (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGAT-1 was involved in the analgesia effect of OSR and the down-regulation of GAT-1 mRNA enhanced the analgesic effect.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Female ; GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism

To investigate the effect of miR-705 on osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryo osteoblast precursor (MC3T3-E1) cells.miR-705 mimics, inhibitors and negative control were transfected into MC3T3-E1 cells. Alkaline phosphates (ALP) staining were performed and quantified after 7 days of osteogenic medium induction. The mRNA and protein expression levels of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot after 14 days of osteogenic induction. Alizarin red staining was performed and quantified in MC3T3-E1 cells after 21 days of osteogenic induction.After 7 days of osteogenic induction, ALP staining showed that overexpression of miR-705 significantly reduced ALP activity, whereas knockdown of miR-705 increased ALP activity (all<0.05). Consistently, after 14 days of osteogenic induction, mRNA and protein expressions of Runx2 and OCN were suppressed by overexpression of miR-705, whereas they were promoted by knockdown of miR-705 (all<0.05). After 21 days of osteogenic induction, alizarin red staining showed that overexpression of miR-705 significantly reduced the formation of mineralized node, the opposite results were found in miR-705 knockdown group (all<0.05).miR-705 can inhibit the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; drug effects ; genetics ; Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; drug effects ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Fetal Stem Cells ; Mice ; MicroRNAs ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; Osteocalcin ; drug effects ; genetics ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) on hyphae development of Candida albicans.

METHODInverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, SEM were applied to inspect the Morphological change of C. albicans treated by EAHD at different concentrations. Solid agar plate was utilized to evaluate the colony morphology. Quantitative Real-ime PCR(qRT-PCR) was adopted to observe the expression of hyphae-specific genes such as HWP1, ALS3, UME6, CSH1, SUN41, CaPDE2.

RESULTEAHD with concentration of 312 and 1 250 mg . L-1 could inhibit formation of hyphae and colony morphology. The expression of HWP1, ALS3, UME6, CSH1 were downregulated 4. 13, 3. 64, 2. 46, 2. 75 folds ,while the expression of SUN41 were upregulated 7. 26 folds, CaPDE2 keep unchanged.

CONCLUSIONEAHD could inhibit formation of hyphae and colony morphologies of C. albicans through downregulating HWP1, ALS3, UME6 and CSH1.

Acetates ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; Hyphae ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism and significance of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX IV) downregulation during apoptosis of NB4 cells induced by sodium selenite.

METHODSNB4 cells were treated with 20 micromol/L sodium selenite at different time points. COX IV protein and mRNA were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. NB4 cells were pretreated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger before selenite exposure, and then COX IV protein expression and caspase-3 activation were detected by Western blot. NB4 cells were pretreated with caspase-3 inhibitor before selenite exposure, and then COX IV protein expression was detected by Western blot. NB4 cells were transiently transfected with vectors to interfere with the expression of COX IV, and then the apoptosis induced by selenite was analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSSodium selenite induced evident downregulation of COX IV protein in NB4 cells, while its mRNA level was almost unchanged. ROS scavenger completely reversed selenite-induced COX IV downregulation and caspase-3 activation. Caspase-3 inhibitor partially reversed selenite-induced COX IV downregulation. Interference with COX IV expression dramatically enhanced selenite-induced apoptosis of NB4 cells.

CONCLUSIONSCOX IV is remarkably downregulated during selenite-induced apoptosis of NB4 cells. ROS mediates COX IV downregulation and caspase-3 activation, while caspase-3 is partially involved in COX IV downregulation. COX IV interference markedly increases the sensitivity of NB4 cells to selenite-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Sodium Selenite ; pharmacology

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitive effect of artesunate (ART) on CML cell line K562 and its influence on VEGF expression in vitro. Human CML cell line K562 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum. All cells were cultured in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37.0 degrees C. K562 cells in logarithmic growth phase were collected and seeded in RPMI-1640 medium, and were treated with ART. At the indicated time points, viable cells were counted by trypan blue exclusion method. Each assay was triplicated. K562 cells were treated with ART at different concentrations. Morphological changes were observed with invert microscope. VEGF expression in K562 cells treated with ART at different concentrations and in the control group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated that ART obviously induced growth inhibition in K562 cells. The relationship between cell inhibition rates and the concentrations of ART showed a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). VEGF expression of K562 cells treated with ART at different concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.01). No significant change of VEGF expression in control group was observed (p > 0.05), while VEGF expression was down-regulated significantly in experiment groups (p < 0.01). The inhibition rate of K562 cells increased in time and concentration-dependent manners. In K562 cell lines treated with ART, VEGF expression was up-regulated at first and then down-regulated to a lower level. It is concluded that ART inhibits k562 cell proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner. The mechanism underlying the inhibitive effect of ART on K562 cells may be realized through down-regulation of VEGF expression.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Artemisinins ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism