BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that berberine represses multiple tumors and tumor stem cells, but the effect of berberine on lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of berberine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LCSCs and the possible mechanism. METHODS: CD133+ LCSCs were separated from A549 cells by immunomagnetic beads. The effects of different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/L) of berberine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LCSCs were determined by MTT and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. In order to further affirm the effect of berberine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LCSCs, the expression levels of Ki67, Bax and Bcl-2 protein were detected by western blot. In addition, to investigate the potential mechanism by which berberine exerts regulatory effects on LCSCs, the expression levels of Hedgehog signaling pathway-associated proteins (PTCH1, SHH, Gli-1 and SMO) were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After magnetic cell sorting, the content of the CD133+ fraction was enriched up to 84.13%. MTT and flow cytometry assays showed that berberine inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of LCSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of Ki67, Bcl-2, PTCH1, SHH, Gli-1 and SMO proteins of LCSCs cultured in the medium with 20 mg/L berberine were dramatically decreased compared to the control, while the expression level of Bax protein was markedly increased compared to the control. These findings suggest that berberine may inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis for LCSCs through the Hedgehog signaling pathway.BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that berberine represses multiple tumors and tumor stem cells, but the effect of berberine on lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of berberine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LCSCs and the possible mechanism. METHODS: CD133+ LCSCs were separated from A549 cells by immunomagnetic beads. The effects of different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/L) of berberine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LCSCs were determined by MTT and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. In order to further affirm the effect of berberine on the proliferation and apoptosis of LCSCs, the expression levels of Ki67, Bax and Bcl-2 protein were detected by western blot. In addition, to investigate the potential mechanism by which berberine exerts regulatory effects on LCSCs, the expression levels of Hedgehog signaling pathway-associated proteins (PTCH1, SHH, Gli-1 and SMO) were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After magnetic cell sorting, the content of the CD133+ fraction was enriched up to 84.13%. MTT and flow cytometry assays showed that berberine inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of LCSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of Ki67, Bcl-2, PTCH1, SHH, Gli-1 and SMO proteins of LCSCs cultured in the medium with 20 mg/L berberine were dramatically decreased compared to the control, while the expression level of Bax protein was markedly increased compared to the control. These findings suggest that berberine may inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis for LCSCs through the Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate Helicobacter pylori combined with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) gavage for preparing balb/c mouse gastric cancer model.Methods Eighty balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups after 1-week adaptive feed,normal group,model group Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ,20 cases in each group.The model group Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were given Helicobacter pylori bacteria liquid (CFU=109/mL) gavage,once every other day for 5 times;then,the freshly configured MNU solution 0.15,0.3,0.6 mL gavages were in turn given,MNU and pure water allocation ratio was 5mg:3mL.Once gavage per week for continuous 10 weeks.Results The model group II had 66.67% adenocarcinoma,the model group I were gastritis with mild atypical hyperplasia,and all mice in the model group III died.Conclusion This method can prepare the gastric cancer model.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) on proliferation, differentiation, and oxidative stress in rat osteoblasts.

METHODSThe cell proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts isolated from neonatal SD rat skull were evaluated following treatment with different concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml) of AOPP using CCK-8 kit and ALP assay kit, respectively. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the treated cells were analyzed using 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, and the transcription levels of ALP, collagen I and RAGE were assessed using real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, AOPP-treated osteoblasts showed obviously inhibited proliferation and differentiation with down-regulated expressions of ALP and collagen I and increased ROS production and RAGE expression.

CONCLUSIONAOPP can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts partially by up-regulating RAGE and inducing ROS production.

Advanced Oxidation Protein Products ; pharmacology ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism

Objective:To establish a mouse model of gastric cancer by inoculating MKN45 cells into mice with normal immune function utilizing microcarrier technology. Methods:A total of 60 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups, namely, 2D, con-trol, and 3D groups, according to the coculture system of MKN45 and microcarrier. The mouse models of gastric carcinoma were estab-lished by hypodermic injection. The time of tumorigenesis, rate of tumor formation, and pathological features were observed in each group. Results:In the 3D group, the time of tumor formation was short, whereas the rate of tumor formation was high (80%). No de-tectable tumor formations were observed in the 2D and control groups. HE and immunohistochemical staining of the transplantation tumor model showed evident characteristics of human gastric cancer. Conclusion:A human gastric cancer model in normal immune mice was successfully established. The onset and development mechanism of gastric cancer could be more effectively investigated in mice with normal immune function through this model. Moreover, a more valuable and new animal model for the research and devel-opment of anticancer drug was established.

Objective To explore the causal relationship between family resilience and mental health in military personnel population.Methods A total of 204 military personnel were recruited from an army unit stationed in Western China with cluster convenience sampling.Family Resilience Scale(FRS)and Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90)were used to survey them twice,in an interval of 4 months.Amos 26.0 was applied to construct a cross-lag model and analyze the data.Results After controlling mental symptoms from the first survey,family resilience in the first measure significantly predicted mental symptoms in the second measure(β=-0.14,P＜0.05).After controlling for family resilience from the first survey,mental symptoms in the first measure significantly predicted family resilience in the second measure(β=-0.13,P＜0.05).Conclusion The relationship between family resilience and mental health is mutually causal in military personnel,and one predicts the other one.Our findings highlight the key dimensions of the relationship between the two.