OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular mechanism by which Lichong Xiaozheng Granules (LCXZ) sensitize ovarian cancer to cisplatin (DDP) treatment. METHODS: LC-MS analysis was used to identify the blood components of LCXZ after its administration in mice via gavage. In a BALB/c mouse model bearing subcutaneous ovarian cancer xenografts, the effects of daily gavage of distilled water (control group), intraperitoneal injection of DDP (5 mg/kg) once a week, or both DDP injection and daily LCXZK gavage (15 g/kg) on tumor growth were evaluated. Histopathological changes in the xenografts and kidneys were assessed with HE staining. RNA-seq was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes followed by KEGG pathway analysis. The changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure and expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related were examined with transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting. RESULTS: A total of 218 blood-borne components of LCXZ were detected by LC-MS. In the tumor-bearing mice, treatments with DDP and DDP combined with LCXZ redcued the tumor volume by 60.3% and 72.6% compared with that in the control group, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significantly upregulated ANT3 expression in both the two treatment groups. Molecular docking indicated that the main active components of LCXZ were capable of binding to adenine nucleotide translocator 3 (ANT3) with binding energies below -6 kcal/mol. Transmission electron microscopy showed obvious mitochondrial swelling and outer-membrane damage in the tumor cells in DDP-treated mice, and these changes were more pronounced in the combined treatment group. The expression levels of BAX, ANT3, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were increased, whereas BCL-2 expression was decreased significantly in the tumor cells in both the DDP and DDP+LCXZ groups. CONCLUSIONS LCXZ enhances the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin against ovarian cancer xenografts in mice by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and activating apoptotic signaling pathways via upregulating ANT3.
Animals ; Female ; Cisplatin/pharmacology* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice ; Rats ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*

Objective To study the effect of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on voltagedependent potassium channels (Kv) currents of smooth muscle cells,which is hypothesized to be different between cerebral pial arteries and penetrating arteries.Methods Smooth muscle cells from cerebral pial arteries and penetrating arteries in rats were enzymatically isolated 72 h after SAH,and patch clamp was used to test the relative cell size,resting potential and Kv currents.Results Resting potential of either pial ((45.63 ±1.18) mV) or penetrating artery ((41.55-± 1.19) mV) was shifted positively by SAH,even more significantly in latter (F =8.24,P ＜ 0.05 ; F =9.36,P ＜ 0.01) ; Resting potential of pial artery of control ((38.76 ± 1.03) mV),penetrating artery of control ((38.53 ± 0.67) mV),pial artery of SAH ((36.87 ± 1.49) mV) and penetrating artery of SAH((37.89 ± 1.24) mV) were shifted positively to the same level by 1 μmol/L 4-aminopyridine (4AP; F =3.08,P ＞0.05).Maximum Current Density (Imax) of either pial ((20.82 ±0.59) pA/pF) or penetrating artery ((15.15 ±0.37) pA/pF) was compromised by SAH,also more significantly in latter (F =6.22,P ＜ 0.05) ; Imax of pial artery of control (9.15 ± 0.16),penetrating artery of control (9.04 ± 0.36),pial artery of SAH (8.77 ± 0.26) and penetrating artery of SAH (9.12 ± 0.17) were decreased to the same level by 1 μmol/L 4AP (F =2.96,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions SAH probably shares the similar pathway with Kv blocker (4AP) in Kv currents inhibition.Further,SAH differently inhibits smooth muscle cells Kv currents and resting potential of cerebral pial arteries and penetrating arteries,which may be related with their different sensitivity towards cerebral vasospasm following SAH.

AIM: It is well known that different injuries will result in different consequences. In this paper, we investigated the morphological change of spinal cord following crushed, hemi-sectioned and transected injury. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: intact group, crushed spinal cord injury group (cSCI), hem-sectioned SCI group (hSCI) and transitioned SCI group (tSCI). The models of SCI were established by the method in our laboratory. The animals in each group were sacrificed respectively at 24 hours, 7 and 24 days after operation. The L2 spinal cord which located in the caudal of injury site was taken respectively from each animal in each group and sectioned into frozen sections (20 μm). The sections were stained by hematoxylin and observed under light microscope. The number of neurons in dorsal and ventral horn was also counted. RESULTS: In cSCI group, some neurons appear to atrophy compared with that of intact group, but the number of neurons did not decrease apparently than that of intact group (P＞0.05). Comparatively, some cavities were observed in dorsal and ventral horn in hemi-sectioned and transitioned SCI group. And the number of neurons in dorsal horn and ventral horn decreased greatly at 24 hours, 7 and 21 days compared with intact group (P＜0.05). The results indicated that the decrease of neuronal number in dorsal horn and ventral horn after injury resulted from hSCI and tSCI, but not from cSCI. As a result, some different strategies should be considered for different injuries. For example, some neurotrophic factors may be useful in cSCI, but, many neurons have disappeared following hSCI and tSCI, therefore, other strategies that increase the number of neurons should be considered too. CONCLUSION: Our results provide the important morphological evidences on the change of spinal cord following cSCI, hSCI and tSCI. The data will be useful in treatment of SCI in the future.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) in spinal dorsal horn following crushed spinal cord injury. METHODS: The adult Srague-Dawley rat model of crushed spinal cord injury was established by the method in our laboratory, and intact spinal cord was used as control. The rats were sacrificed respectively after 24 hours, 7 days, and 21 days of operation, and the L3 spinal segments were removed out and fixed in 4% polyformaldehyde. The segments were sectioned into sections of 20 μm in thickness. The sections were stained with anti-NGF antibody by ABC method of immunohistochemistry technique. The immunoreactive intensity of NGF and the number of positive neurons as well as glial cells in dorsal horn were observed and counted under light microscope. RESULTS: The number of positive cells and immunoreactive intensity of NGF increased gradually in the dorsal horn at 24 hours, 7 days and 21 days following crushed spinal cord injury compared with control group (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that NGF plays an important role in the postoperative reaction during the early period of the crushed spinal cord injury.

Objective To summarize the experience of the trans-unilateral nasal and sphenoidal approach to pituitary denomas.Methods 20 cases of pituitary adenomas were removed by the trans-unilateral nasal and sphenoid approach under operating microscope,of which there were 2 microadenoma patients,16 macroadenoma patients;2 giant pituitary adenoma patients.Results Of all the 20 patients,12 had total resection of tumor;4 had subtotal resection of tumor and 4 had part resection of tumor.All cases showed improvement.After the operation,3 had diabetes insipidus and 2 had CSF rhinorrhea,which had been cured by the time they left the hospital.Conclusion this method is minimally invasive with short operative distance,time and fewer complications.