OBJECTIVETo study the effect of allicin on cell cycle of human gastric cancer cell lines, MGC-803 and SGC-7901, and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803 and SGC-7901 were treated with allicin. Proliferation inhibitory rate was detected by trypan-blue exclusion. Morphologic changes were observed by electron microscopy. The cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry and Giemsa staining. Expression of p21WAF1, p16INK4 protein and mRNA was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe gastric cancer cells were inhibited after exposure to allicin for 24 hr, The IC50 was 6.4 microg/ml in MGC-803 cells and 7.3 microg/ml in SGC-7901cells. After exposure to allicin of 12 microg/ml for 24 hr, it caused the cytotoxic effect on the cells, including cellular membrane breakagy. After exposure to allicin of 3 microg/ml, 6 microg/ml and 9 microg/ml for 24 hr, compared with the control group, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase was decreased and that in the G2/M phase was increased significantly (P < 0.01). After exposure to allicin of 6 microg/ml for 24 hr, compared with the control group, cell division index was much higher, suggesting that allicin could induce cell arrest in M phase. The expression levels of p21WAF1 and p16INK4 protein and mRNA in MGC-803 cells and p21WAF1 protein and mRNA in SGC-7901 cells were markedly up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONAllicin induce cell arrest of gastric cancer in M phase, which may be related to the up-regulated expression of p21WAF1 and p16INK4 genes.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Sulfinic Acids ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of thalidomide in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by emetogenic cisplatin (CDDP) chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSThis study was carried out as a prospective, randomized control clinical trial. 61 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were scheduled to receive chemotherapy (gemcitabin 1000 mg/m(2) i.v. gtt d1, 8 and CDDP 75 mg/m(2) i.v. gtt d1, GP regimen). The patients were randomly divided into a treatment and control groups. All patients in both groups received ramosetron 0.3 mg intravenously (i.v.) and metoclopramide 20 mg intramuscularly (i.m.) 30 min prior to chemotherapy to prevent nausea and emesis on day 1. In the treatment group, addition of thalidomide (50 mg p.o. bid) were administered on days 1 to 5 after the start of chemotherapy.

RESULTSAcute nausea was effectively controlled in 74.2% of the patients in the control group and in 90.0% of treatment group. Acute vomiting was effectively controlled in 90.3% of the patients in the control group and in 93.3% of treatment group. No statistically significant differences showed in effective control of acute nausea and vomiting between the 2 groups (P = 0.108; P = 1.000). Delayed nausea was effectively controlled in 19.4% of the patients in control group and in 56.7% in the treatment group. Delayed vomiting was effectively controlled in 48.4% of the patients in control group and 76.7% in treatment group. Statistically there was a significant differences in effective control of delayed nausea and vomiting between the 2 groups (P = 0.003, P = 0.023). Both antiemetic regimens were well tolerated, and no significant difference was observed in adverse events between the 2 groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrate that thalidomide is highly effective in controlling delayed nausea and vomiting episodes in patients induced by moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Moreover, no serious toxic effects are induced by this treatment.

Antiemetics ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prospective Studies ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use ; Vomiting ; chemically induced ; prevention & control