Objective To observe the influence of p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) on the growth of human brain glioma cell lines U251 (p53 mutant) and SHG-44 (p53 wild type),and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods Construct the adenovirus PUMA (Ad-PUMA) and vector of adenovirus (AdDsRed) which were respectively transfected into glioma cell lines U251 and SHG-44.Cells proliferation rates were measured with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).The apoptotic ratios were detected by flow cytometry.The expression of PUMA and apoptosis associated proteins (bcl-2,Bax) were determined with Western blot analysis.Caspase-3,Caspase-8,Caspase-9 activity were measured by Caspase activity assay kit.Results Compared with vector group and blank control group,Ad-PUMA transfected group showed strong cell proliferating inhibition effects [the inhibition rates were (50.89±4.73) ％ and (44.45±5.33) ％ respectively,P ＜0.05] and pro-apoptotic effects [apoptotic rates were (44.89±5.08) ％ and (31.67±7.32) ％,P ＜ 0.05] in different p53 glioma cell lines U251 and SHG-44.Western blot analysis showed that PUMA protein expression increased after Ad-PUMA transfection,accompanied by the reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 and the increased expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax.The activity of Caspase testing results showed that the Caspase-3,Caspase-9 activity increased significantly,while the Caspase-8 activity changed little.Conclusion No matter how p53 phenotype,PUMA can inhibit glioma proliferation,promote apoptosis,and its mechanism may be through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathways,upregulation of Bax and inhibition of bcl-2 expression,which activated Caspase-9.Ad-PUMA is expected to become a new target for gene therapy of gliomas.

Previous studies have shown that expression of the interferon-sensitive gene (ISG)I5 protease UBP43 is increased in the liver biopsy specimens of patients who do not respond to interferon (IFN)-α therapy. We hypothesized that UBP43 might hinder the ability of IFN to inhibit HBV replication. In this study, we investigated whether vector-based siRNA promoted by Hi (psiUBP43) could enhance IFN inhibiting HBV replication in cell culture. UBP43 was specifically silenced using shRNA. In HepG2.2.15 cells, the HBeAg and HBV DNA levels were significantly reduced by IFN after transfection of shRNA, imphicated that vector-based siRNA promoted by HI (psiUBP43) could enhance IFN inhibiting HBV replication in cell culture. These data suggest that UBP43 modulates the anti-HBV type I IFN response, and is a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of HBV infection.

Objective To investigate the expression of Notch signaling molecules, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and fibronectin (FN) in mesangial cell induced by high glucose, and the underlying mechanism of cordyceps sinensis.Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cells were divided into following groups: normal control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose), hypertonic control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose+ 19.5 mmol/L mannitol), high glucose group (25.0 mmol/L glucose), DAPT inhibitor group (25.0 mmol/L glucose + 1 μmol/L DAPT), cordyceps sinensis intervention group (25.0 mmol/L glucose+10 mg/L cordyceps sinensis).Cell proliferation was detected by MTT.The protein and mRNA expression of Notch signaling molecules (Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes1), TGF-β and FN was detected by Western blotting and real time PCR.Results Compared with normal control group, high glucose induced mesangial cell proliferation, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of Notch1, Jagged1, Hes1, TGF-β1 and FN was up-regulated in high glucose group (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with that in high-glucose group, DAPT and cordyceps sinensis inhibited high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation and down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of Notch pathway, TGF-β1 and FN (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion By inhibiting the abnormal activation of Notch signaling pathway and TGF-β signaling pathway, cordyceps sinensis may alleviate high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation and reduce extracellular matrix accumulation, thus protecting kidney.

Objective To investigate the underlying mechanism of ursolic acid in attenuating diabetic mesangial cells injury induced by high glucose (HG).Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cells were cultured in normal glucose,HG,HG with LY294002 and HG with ursolic acid.The cell proliferation and hypertrophy were detected by MTT and the ratio of total protein content to cell number.miRNA-21 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR.The PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway,autophagy associated protein and collagen I were detected by Western blotting and quantitative realtime PCR.The autophagosomes were observed by electron microscope.Results Compared with normal control group,the cells exposed to HG showed up-regulating miRNA-21 expression(P ＜ 0.01),down-regulating PTEN protein and mRNA expression(P ＜ 0.01),up-regulating p85PI3K,phospho(p)-Akt,p-mTOR,p62/SQSTMI,collagen I expressions and down-regulating LC3II expression(P ＜ 0.01).Ursolic acid and LY294002 inhibited HG-induced mesangial cell hypertrophy and proliferation(P < 0.01),down -regulated the expressions of p85Pl3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR,p62/SQSTMI and collagen I and up-regulated the expression of LC3II(P ＜ 0.01).But LY294002 had no effect on the expression of miRNA-21 and PTEN.Ursolic acid down-regulated miRNA-21 expression(P ＜ 0.01),up-regulated PTEN protein and mRNA expression(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Ursolic acid may inhibit high glucose-induced mesangial cell miRNA-21 overexpression,up-regulate PTEN,inhibit the activation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and the enhanced autophagy to reduce the accumulation of extracellular matrix and ameliorate cell hypertrophy and proliferation.

In this report, highly water soluble esters of scutellarin with different molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) were synthesized in order to improve the bioavailability of scutellarin. The physicochemical properties, the stabilities under different conditions and the in situ intestinal absorption in rats of the conjugates were investigated. By PEG modification, the greatly increased water solubility and desirable partition coefficient of scutellarin were obtained. These compounds function as prodrugs i. e. breakdown occurred in a predictable fashion: the t1/2 of them in PBS buffer at pH7.4 was above 12 h (37 degrees C) in vitro, while in plasma a rapid breakdown was observed, with a t1/2 of about 1. 5-3 h. The stabilities of the prodrugs were improved according to the increase of the molecular weight of PEG, thus, PEGylated prodrugs with desirable rates of hydrolysis could be obtained by the use of variable molecular weight PEGs. The PEGylation could enhance the absorption of scutellarin in rat intestine, and the absorption of scutellarin and its PEG conjugates by intestine was mainly via passive transport, for when the concentration was raised, the uptake did not appear saturable, and the permeability coefficient kept at an equilibrium level. When the molecular weight of PEG increased from 200 to 1000 Da, the absorption of the conjugates decreased. In conclusion, by overall consideration of the yield, stability and absorption, the present authors estimate that the PEG molecular weight used for the PEGylation of scutellarin should be within the range of 400-1 000 Da.
Animals ; Apigenin ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Biological Availability ; Drug Carriers ; Glucuronates ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective: To investigate the effects of abated microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) on phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome ten protein (PTEN) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, as well as their further influence on the autophagy in high glucose (HG, 25.0 mmol/L) induced rat glomerular mesangial cells. Methods: MiRNA-21 inhibitor and negative control were transfected by liposome 2000 into rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1). The cells were divided into normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L) group, normal glucose+negative control group, normal glucose+miRNA-21 inhibitor group, HG group, HG+negative control group and HG+miRNA-21 inhibitor group. Cell proliferation and hypertrophy were assayed by MTT and the ratio of total protein to cell number respectively. The miRNA-21 expression was detected using real time PCR. The expressions of PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling signatures, autophagy-associated protein (p62 and LC3 Ⅱ) and collagen Ⅰ was detected by Western blotting and real time PCR. Autophagosomes were observed using electron microscopy. Results: Compared with those in normal glucose group, in HG group cells had hypertrophy and proliferation, up-regulated miRNA-21 expression, and down-regulated PTEN protein and mRNA expressions (all P<0.01). Also there were and up-regulated p-Akt, p-mTOR, p62 and collagen Ⅰ expression, and lower LC3 Ⅱ expression and autophagosomes (all P<0.01). Further, compared with those in HG group, cells hypertrophy and proliferation in HG+miRNA-21 inhibitor group were reduced, expressions of p-Akt, p-mTOR, p62 and collagen Ⅰ were down-regulated, while expressions of PTEN and LC3 Ⅱ and autophagosomes were up-regulated (all P<0.01). Conclusions MiRNA-21 inhibitor up-regulates PTEN expression, which inhibits the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, ameliorates cell hypertrophy, proliferation and enhances autophagy to reduce extracellular matrix accumulation.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of radium-223 in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with and without homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene mutation.Methods:The clinical data of 27 patients with mCRPC bone metastases who received radium-223 therapy from April 2021 to November 2022 in Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. Among the 27 mCRPC patients, 18 patients carrying HRR gene mutations belonged to the HRD(+ ) group, and 9 patients without HRR gene mutation belonged to the HRD(-) group. The age of patients in HRD(+ ) group was 69.5 (63.8, 77.0) years old, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was 243.0 (82.8, 301.3) U/L, prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 71.6 (7.3, 329.8) ng/ml, pain score was 3.0 (1.0, 5.0) points. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score ranged from 0 to 1 points in 7 cases, and 2 points in 11 cases. In the HRD(-) group, the median age was 72.0 (64.5, 76.5) years old, ALP was 88.0 (67.5, 260.6) U/L, PSA was 19.1 (1.1, 117.8) ng/ml, and pain score was 2.0 (0, 4.5) points. The ECOG score ranged from 0 to 1 in 4 cases, and 2 in 5 cases in the HRD(-) group. There was no significant difference in the above general data between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients received radium-223 treatment every 4 weeks, no more than 6 times. The changes of ALP, PSA, pain score and hematological adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:In the HRD(+ ) group, the median number of radium-223 treatment was 4.5 (3.0, 5.3) couses, 4 patients (22.2%) completed 6 courses, and 6 patients died of prostate cancer during follow-up. In the HRD(-) group, the median number of radium treatment was 4.0 (2.5, 6.0) couses, 3 patients (33.3%) completed 6 courses, and 1 patient died of prostate cancer during follow-up. There was no significant difference in the number of radium treatment courses between the two groups ( P=0.320). ALP in HRD(+ ) group was 101.8 (61.3, 147.0) U/L after radium-223 treatment, which was significantly lower than that before treatment ( P=0.002). ALP in HRD(-) group was 73.0 (64.0, 113.5) U/L after radium-223 treatment, and it was not significantly different from that before treatment ( P=0.327). The rate of ALP response (ALP decrease >10%) in HRD(+ ) group was significantly higher than that in HRD(-) group [83.3% (15/18) vs. 44.4% (4/9), P=0.037]. PSA was 105.9(5.2, 798.4) ng/ml in HRD (+ ) group after radium-223 treatment, and was 25.6(0.8, 1 031.0) ng/ml in HRD(-) group, and they were not significantly different from that before treatment ( P=0.145, P=0.386). There were no significant differences in the rate of PSA response (PSA decrease>10%) between HRD(+ ) group and HRD(-) group [38.9% (7/18) vs. 22.2% (2/9), P=0.386]. The median pain score of HRD(+ ) group was 3.0 (0, 4.0) points after treatment, which was significantly lower than that before treatment ( P=0.028). The pain score of HRD(-) group was 1.0(0, 3.0) points after treatment, and it was not significantly different from that before treatment ( P=0.129). There was no significant difference in pain relief rate between HRD(+ ) group and HRD(-) group [66.7% (12/18) vs. 44.4% (4/9), P=0.411]. The incidence of at least one hematological adverse event during radium-223 treatment in the HRD(+ ) group was higher than that in the HRD(-) group [77.8% (14/18) vs. 33.3% (3/9), P=0.039]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of grade 1-2 hematological adverse events between the two groups [72.2%(13/18) vs. 33.3%(3/9), P=0.097]. Only 1 patient in the HRD(+ ) group experienced grade 3 anemia during treatment which was recovered after blood transfusion. Conclusions:Compared to mCRPC patients without HRR gene mutation, patients with HRR gene mutations had better ALP response and bone pain relief after radium-223 treatment. The overall incidence of adverse events in the HRD(+ ) group is higher than that in HRD(-) group, and there was no significant difference in grade 1-2 hematological adverse events between the two goups. It is necessary to expand the sample size to further verify the conclusion.

Purpose: In non-metastatic prostate cancer (nmPCa) setting, it is important to early identify the patients at risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) for immediate postoperative intervention. Our study aimed to evaluate the potential clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for predicting disease recurrence. Materials and Methods: This real-world observational study evaluated 161 cases of nmPCa undergoing next-generation sequencing at our institution. A total of 139 ctDNA samples and 31 biopsied tumor tissue underwent genomic profiling. The study endpoint was BCR after radical prostatectomy. Relationships between the ctDNA status and the biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) were analyzed by log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression. Results: Of 161 enrolled patients, 19 (11.8%) harbored deleterious alterations in NCOR2, followed by BRCA2 (3.7%), ATR (2.5%), and CDK12 (2.5%). Of available pre-operative blood samples (n=139), ctDNA was detectable in 91 (65.5%). Until last follow-up, 56 of 68 patients (85.3%) with detectable ctDNA had achieved BCR, whereas only eight of 39 patients (20.5%) with undetectable ctDNA had achieved BCR. Patients who had undetectable ctDNA experienced significantly longer bPFS compared with those who had detectable ctDNA (not available vs. 8.2 months; hazard ratio, 0.14; p < 0.01). Pre-operative ctDNA status was a significant prognostic factor of disease recurrence. Conclusion Pre-operative ctDNA detection could identify patients at high risk of recurrence and has the potential to inform immediate postoperative interventions, but these approaches remain to be validated in prospective studies. ctDNA studies can provide insights into accurate monitoring and precise treatment rather than simply following routine clinical care.

Objective:To analyze the differences in paraspinal muscles between patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) with or without spondylolisthesis and to assess the correlation between these differences and lumbar facet joint degeneration.Methods:The data of 68 patients with DLSS who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from January 2021 to April 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 22 were male (32.4%) and 46 were female (67.6%), with an average age of 69.7±5.9 years (range: 56-80 years). The DLSS group included 35 patients without spondylolisthesis [13 males (37.1%) and 22 females (62.9%)], average age 68.5±5.9 years (range: 56-80 years), while the DLSS+degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) group included 33 patients with spondylolisthesis [9 males (27.3%) and 24 females (72.7%)], average age 70.9±5.7 years (range: 58-80 years). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the L 3-S 1 intervertebral disc levels were collected from all patients. Using ImageJ software, the cross-sectional area (CSA) and percentage of fat infiltration area (FIA%) of the erector spinae and multifidus muscles were measured. Additionally, the facet joint angle (FJA), facet overhang (FO), and facet effusion (FE) were evaluated using Surgimap software, and their correlation with CSA and FIA% of the paraspinal muscles was analyzed. Results:The FJA and FO in the DLSS+DS group (50.16°±11.08° and 7.67±2.25 mm) were significantly larger than those in the DLSS group (43.51°± 7.75° and 3.88±1.98 mm) ( P<0.05). However, differences in FE between the two groups were not statistically significant. The cross-sectional areas of the multifidus muscles at L 3, 4, L 4, 5, and L 5S 1 in the DLSS+DS group (576.66±112.70 mm 2,, 782.72±141.49 mm 2, and 817.88±185.22 mm 2,, respectively) were significantly smaller than those in the DLSS group (647.37±165.44 mm 2,, 881.20±202.10 mm 2,, and 995.06±211.25 mm 2,, respectively) ( P<0.05). The FIA% of the erector spinae at L 3, 4, L 4, 5, and L 5S 1 in the DLSS+DS group (11.47%±5.14%, 14.84%±6.15%, 20.82%±7.41%) were significantly higher than those in the DLSS group (6.27%±2.83%, 10.81%±4.84%, 16.17%±5.88%) ( P<0.05). Similarly, the FIA% of the multifidus muscles at L 3, 4, L 4, 5, and L 5S 1 in the DLSS+DS group (18.04%±5.88%, 19.67%±5.78%, 19.31%±8.61%) were significantly higher than those in the DLSS group (9.85%±4.39%, 12.27%±3.70%, 14.65%±3.82%) ( P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the CSA of the erector spinae at these levels between the two groups. The CSA of the multifidus muscles at L 3, 4, L 4, 5, and L 5S 1 in both groups were negatively correlated with FJA and FO ( r=-0.318, P=0.008; r=-0.381, P=0.001; r=-0.439, P<0.001; r=-0.290, P=0.016; r=-0.315, P=0.009; r=-0.479, P<0.001). The FIA% of the erector spinae at L 3, 4, L 4, 5, and the multifidus muscles at L 4, 5 and L 5S 1 were positively correlated with FJA ( r=0.352, P=0.003; r=0.344, P=0.004; r=0.300, P=0.013; r=0.359, P=0.003). Additionally, the FIA% of the erector spinae at L 3, 4, L 4, 5, and L 5S 1, and the multifidus muscles at L 3, 4 and L 4, 5 were positively correlated with FO ( r=0.409, P=0.001; r=0.248, P=0.042; r=0.277, P=0.022; r=0.500, P<0.001; r=0.447, P<0.001). There was no correlation between FE and CSA or FIA% of the erector spinae and multifidus muscles at L 3, 4, L 4, 5, and L 5S 1 in either group. Furthermore, FJA was positively correlated with FO ( r=0.369, P=0.002), but no correlation was observed between FE and FJA or FO. Conclusion:Compared to patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, those with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis exhibit more severe paraspinal muscle atrophy, a more sagittal orientation of the facet joints, and a higher degree of facet joint osteoarthritis. Patients with larger FJA and FO show more severe paraspinal muscle atrophy.