Aldose reductase inhibitor, fidarestat regulates mitochondrial biogenesis via Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK pathway in colon cancer cells

Although we have shown earlier that aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors prevent colorectal cancer cell (CRC) growth in culture as well as in nude mice xenografts, the mechanism(s) is not well understood. In this study, we have investigated how AR inhibition prevents CRC growth by regulating the mitochondrial biogenesis via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Incubation of CRC cells such as SW-480, HT29, and HCT116 with AR inhibitor, fidarestat that non-covalently binds to the enzyme, increases the expression of Nrf2. Further, fidarestat augmented the EGF-induced expression of Nrf2 in CRC cells. Fidarestat also increased the Nrf2 -DNA binding activity as well as expression of HO-1 and NQO1 and activation of SOD and catalase in SW480 cells. Similarly, in nude mice xenograft tumor tissues, Nrf2 and HO-1 levels were significantly higher in fidarestat-treated mice compared to controls. Further, stimulation of CRC cells with EGF in the presence of fidarestat increased the mRNA levels of PGC-1α, Nrf1 and TFAM and protein levels of PGC-1α, TFAM and COX-IV and decreased the mitochondrial DNA damage as measured by 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. AR inhibitor also modulated the phosphorylations of AMPK and mTOR and expression of p53 in EGF-treated cells. Collectively, our results indicate that AR inhibitor prevents CRC growth by increasing mitochondrial biogenesis via increasing the expression of Nrf2/HO-1/AMPK/p53 and decreasing the mitochondrial DNA damage.

Aldose Reductase Mediates NLRP3 Inflammasome-Initiated Innate Immune Response in Hyperglycemia-Induced Thp1 Monocytes and Male Mice

Despite recent studies that show oxidative stress-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated innate immune response in various diabetic complications, the mechanism by which ROS activate innate immune response is not well understood. We have shown previously that aldose reductase (AR), besides reducing glucose, reduces lipid aldehydes and their glutathione conjugates and participates in various oxidative stress-induced inflammatory pathways. To understand the role of AR in ROS-induced innate immune response, we have investigated the mechanism(s) by which AR activates hyperglycemia-induced NLRP3 inflammsome-initiated innate immune response in Thp1 monocytes and in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. In Thp1 monocytes, inhibition or ablation of AR prevented high-glucose-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 and release of the innate immune cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. AR inhibition in Thp1 cells also prevented the high-glucose-induced generation of ROS, influx of Ca2+, efflux of K+, and activation of Lyn, Syk, and PI3K. Furthermore, the AR inhibitor fidarestat prevented the expression of NLRP inflammasome components in STZ-induced diabetic mouse heart and aorta, and also prevented the release of various cytokines in the serum. Collectively, our data suggest that AR regulates hyperglycemia-induced NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated innate immune response by altering the ROS/Lyn/Syk/PI3K/Ca2+/K+ signals.

Regulatory roles of glutathione-S-transferases and 4-hydroxynonenal in stress-mediated signaling and toxicity

Glutathione-S-Transferases (GSTs) have primarily been thought to be xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes that protect cells from toxic drugs and environmental electrophiles. However, in last three decades, these enzymes have emerged as the regulators of oxidative stress-induced signaling and toxicity. 4-Hydroxy-trans 2-nonenal (HNE) an end-product of lipid peroxidation, has been shown to be a major determinant of oxidative stress-induced signaling and toxicity. HNE is involved in signaling pathways, including apoptosis, proliferation, modulation of gene expression, activation of transcription factors/repressors, cell cycle arrest, and differentiation. In this article, available evidence for a major role of GSTs in the regulation of HNE-mediated cell signaling processes through modulation of the intracellular levels of HNE is discussed.

Abstract 1052: Aldose reductase inhibitor increases doxorubicin-sensitivity of colon cancer cells and decreases cardiomyopathy

Chemotherapy is one of the most common option for colorectal cancer (CRC), specifically at the advanced stages and after surgical resection of the tumor. Anthracycline drugs such as doxorubicin, daunorubicin are the most commonly used for the therapy of leukemia, lymphoma and breast cancer. However, doxorubicin is not a very effective drug to kill CRC cells since a high amount of doxorubicin is required for colon cancer therapy, which leads to unwanted side effects like cardiac toxicity and cardiomyopathy. Therefore, better adjuvant therapies are required to increase sensitivity of CRC to doxorubicin as well as to decrease the associated cardiomyopathy. Our recent studies indicate that aldose reductase (AR; AKR1B1) inhibitors such as fidarestat prevent CRC growth as well as metastasis in nude mice xenograft models. We now examined our hypothesis that AR inhibition increases the sensitivity of CRC to doxorubicin and decreases its cardiotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress-mediated signaling pathways. We have investigated the effect of co-administration of doxorubicin along with AR inhibitor fidarestat in in vitro and in vivo CRC cells growth and toxicity. Our results suggest that treatment of CRC cells with fidarestat increases the efficacy of doxorubicin-induced death of HT-29 and SW-480 colon cancer cells. Flow cytometric analysis indicates that in fidarestat + doxorubicin -treated CRC cells, the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin is increased as compared to doxorubicin alone-treated cells. Further, AR inhibition prevents doxorubicin-induced increase in the expression of drug transporter proteins such as MRP-1 and ABCG-2 in CRC cells. In addition, combination of fidarestat with doxorubicin significantly prevented the growth of CRC cells in nude mice xenografts as compared to doxorubicin alone. Fidarestat also prevented the doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity as measured by serum troponin-I levels and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the serum and heart of doxorubicin-treated mice in combination with fidarestat. Most importantly, fidarestat protects the cardiac damage and dysfunction in doxorubicin-treated mice. Thus, our results suggest that fidarestat could be used as a novel adjuvant therapy in enhancing doxorubicin sensitivity of CRC cells and to reduce the doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity.

Citation Format: Himangshu Sonowal, Pabitra B. Pal, Satish K. Srivastava, Kota V. Ramana. Aldose reductase inhibitor increases doxorubicin-sensitivity of colon cancer cells and decreases cardiomyopathy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1052. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1052

Aldose Reductase Inhibitor Protects against Hyperglycemic Stress by Activating Nrf2-Dependent Antioxidant Proteins

We have shown earlier that pretreatment of cultured cells with aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors prevents hyperglycemia-induced mitogenic and proinflammatory responses. However, the effects of AR inhibitors on Nrf2-mediated anti-inflammatory responses have not been elucidated yet. We have investigated how AR inhibitor fidarestat protects high glucose- (HG-) induced cell viability changes by increasing the expression of Nrf2 and its dependent phase II antioxidant enzymes. Fidarestat pretreatment prevents HG (25 mM)-induced Thp1 monocyte viability. Further, treatment of Thp1 monocytes with fidarestat caused a time-dependent increase in the expression as well as the DNA-binding activity of Nrf2. In addition, fidarestat augmented the HG-induced Nrf2 expression and activity and also upregulated the expression of Nrf2-dependent proteins such as hemeoxygenase-1 (HO1) and NQO1 in Thp1 cells. Similarly, treatment with AR inhibitor also induced the expression of Nrf2 and HO1 in STZ-induced diabetic mice heart and kidney tissues. Further, AR inhibition increased the HG-induced expression of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and catalase and activation of AMPK-α1 in Thp1 cells. Our results thus suggest that pretreatment with AR inhibitor prepares the monocytes against hyperglycemic stress by overexpressing the Nrf2-dependent antioxidative proteins.

Aldose reductase inhibitor increases doxorubicin-sensitivity of colon cancer cells and decreases cardiotoxicity

Anthracycline drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) and daunorubicin remain some of the most active wide-spectrum and cost-effective drugs in cancer therapy. However, colorectal cancer (CRC) cells are inherently resistant to anthracyclines which at higher doses cause cardiotoxicity. Our recent studies indicate that aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors such as fidarestat inhibit CRC growth in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that treatment of CRC cells with fidarestat increases the efficacy of DOX-induced death in HT-29 and SW480 cells and in nude mice xenografts. AR inhibition also results in higher intracellular accumulation of DOX and decreases the expression of drug transporter proteins MDR1, MRP1, and ABCG2. Further, fidarestat also inhibits DOX-induced increase in troponin-I and various inflammatory markers in the serum and heart and restores cardiac function in mice. These results suggest that fidarestat could be used as adjuvant therapy to enhance DOX sensitivity of CRC cells and to reduce DOX-associated cardiotoxicity.

Cysteinyl Leukotrienes (CysLTs): Role in Obesity-Induced Asthma

Epidemiological studies associate obesity with onset of asthma, especially in obese children, suggesting obesity as the risk factor for asthma. Obesity-induced chronic inflammation has been implicated in the lung inflammation, yet specific mediators and mechanisms are lacking. Obesity is associated with increased expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway and increased Leukotrienes (LTs) production has been observed in obese asthma patients. However, the precise mechanism that predisposes lungs inflammation in obese is not clearly understood. This article discusses the production and regulation of LTs in obese individuals and presents probable mechanisms regarding the role of LTs in lung inflammation that may lead to obesity-induced asthma. Leukotrienes are well known mediators of asthma but their role in obesity-induced asthma is not clearly understood and thus needs further research. Since efficient antagonists and inhibitors of 5-LO pathways are known, understanding of molecular mechanism of LTs, especially Cysteinyl-LTs, in obesity-induced asthma could lead to optimal treatment regimens for the prevention and treatment of asthma in obese individuals.

Graphene/Nickel Nanofiber Hybrids for Catalytic and Microbial Fuel Cell Applications

The present work deals with the preparation of fcc-nickel (Ni) nanofibers and Graphene/Ni hybrids. The analysis of XRD, FTIR and Raman data confirms the formation of pure Ni, graphite oxide, reduced graphene and their hybrids. SEM micrographs clearly show the decoration of Ni nanofibers on the graphene flakes. The synthesized Ni-based hybrid systems can have applications in areas ranging from: magnetism, catalysis to microbial fuel cells. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) investigations reveal that the hybrid structure shows hysteresis loop similar to that expected from a superparamagnetic system. When the same hybrid structure is used as catalyst for decolourization of 4-nitrophenol, the maximum rate constant of 0.1 min⁻¹ can be obtained. The catalytic activity also shows dependence on the loading concentration of Ni. The enhanced performance can be explained on the basis of synergistic effect between graphene and nickel nanofibers. The developed hybrids have also been applied as catalyst for cathode in microbial fuel cells and the studies showed improved power density compared to conventional microbial fuel cells (MFCs).

Infrared spectrum, NBO, HOMO-LUMO, MEP and molecular docking studies (2E)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-1-[4-piperidin-1-yl]prop-2-en-1-one

FT-IR spectrum of (2E)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-1-[4-piperidin-1-yl]prop-2-en-1-one was recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed using HF and DFT quantum chemical calculations. The data obtained from wavenumber calculations are used to assign IR bands. Potential energy distribution was done using GAR2PED software. The geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with the XRD results. NBO analysis, HOMO-LUMO, first and second hyperpolarizability and molecular electrostatic potential results are also reported. The possible electrophile attacking sites of the title molecule is identified using MEP surface plot study. Molecular docking results predicted the anti-leishmanic activity for the compound.

Molecular structure, FT-IR, FT-Raman, NBO, HOMO and LUMO, MEP, NLO and molecular docking study of 2-[(E)-2-(2-bromophenyl)ethenyl]quinoline-6-carboxylic acid

The optimized molecular structure, vibrational frequencies, corresponding vibrational assignments of 2-[(E)-2-(2-bromophenyl)ethenyl]quinoline-6-carboxylic acid have been investigated experimentally and theoretically using Gaussian09 software package. Potential energy distribution of the normal modes of vibrations was done using GAR2PED program. (1)H NMR chemical shifts calculations were carried out by using B3LYP functional with SDD basis set. The HOMO and LUMO analysis is used to determine the charge transfer within the molecule. The stability of the molecule arising from hyper-conjugative interaction and charge delocalization has been analyzed using NBO analysis. MEP was performed by the DFT method and the predicted infrared intensities and Raman activities have also been reported. The calculated geometrical parameters are in agreement with that of similar derivatives. The title compound forms a stable complex with PknB as is evident from the binding affinity values and the molecular docking results suggest that the compound might exhibit inhibitory activity against PknB and this may result in development of new anti-tuberculostic agents.

FT-IR, HOMO-LUMO, NBO, MEP analysis and molecular docking study of 3-Methyl-4-{(E)-[4-(methylsulfanyl)-benzylidene]amino}1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione

FT-IR spectrum of 3-Methyl-4-{(E)-[4-(methylsulfanyl)-benzylidene]amino}1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione was recorded and analysed. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed and at HF and DFT levels of theory. The data obtained from wavenumber calculations are used to assign the vibrational bands obtained in the IR spectrum. The NH stretching wavenumber is red shifted in the IR spectrum from the computed value, which indicates the weakening of the NH bond. The geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with the XRD results. NBO analysis, HOMO-LUMO, first and second order hyperpolarizability and molecular electrostatic potential results are also reported. From the MEP map it is evident that the negative regions are localized over the sulphur atoms and N3 atom of triazole ring and the maximum positive region is localized on NH group, indicating a possible site for nucleophilic attack. Prediction of Activity Spectra analysis of the title compound predicts anti-tuberculostic activity with probability to be active value of 0.543. Molecular docking studies reveal that the triazole nitrogen atoms and the thione sulphur atom play vital role in bonding and results draw us to the conclusion that the compound might exhibit anti-tuberculostic activity.

Molecular conformational analysis, vibrational spectra, NBO, NLO analysis and molecular docking study of bis[(E)-anthranyl-9-acrylic]anhydride based on density functional theory calculations

FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of bis[(E)-anthranyl-9-acrylic]anhydride were recorded and analyzed. The conformational behavior is also investigated. The vibrational wave numbers were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) quantum chemical calculations. The data obtained from wave number calculations are used to assign vibrational bands obtained in Infrared and Raman spectra. Potential energy distribution was done using GAR2PED program. The geometrical parameters are compared with related structures. The stability of the molecule arising from hyper-conjugative interaction and charge delocalization has been analyzed using Natural Bonding Orbital (NBO) analysis. The Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) analysis are used to determine the charge transfer within the molecule. Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) was performed by the DFT method. The calculated first hyperpolarizability of the title compound is comparable with the reported values of similar derivatives and is 4.23 times that of the standard nonlinear optical (NLO) material urea and the title compound and its derivatives are an attractive object for future studies of nonlinear optical properties. To evaluate the in silico antitumor activity of the title compound molecular docking studies were carried out against protein Bcl-xL. The (1)H-NMR spectrum is also reported.

Spectroscopic investigation (FT-IR, FT-Raman), HOMO-LUMO, NBO analysis and molecular docking study of 4-chlorophenyl quinoline-2-carboxylate

FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 4-chlorophenyl quinoline-2-carboxylate were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed using DFT quantum chemical calculations. The data obtained from wavenumber calculations are used to assign vibrational bands obtained experimentally. Potential energy distribution was done using GAR2PED program. The geometrical parameters obtained theoretically are in agreement with the XRD data. NBO analysis, HOMO-LUMO, first hyperpolarizability and molecular electrostatic potential results are also reported. The calculated hyperpolarizability of the title compound is 77.53 times that of the standard NLO material urea and the title compound and its derivatives are attractive object for future studies of nonlinear optical properties. Molecular docking results suggest that the compound might exhibit inhibitory activity against GPb.

Vibrational spectroscopic and molecular docking study of 4-Methylphenylquinoline-2-carboxylate

FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 4-Methylphenylquinoline-2-carboxylate were recorded and analyzed. The structure of the molecule has been optimized and structural characteristics have been determined by density functional theory. The geometrical parameters (DFT) are in agreement with the XRD results. HOMO and LUMO and other chemical properties are reported. Nonlinear optical properties are also reported. A detailed molecular picture of the title compound and its interactions were obtained from NBO analysis. The negative (red and yellow) regions of the MEP are related to electrophilic reactivity and the positive (blue) regions to nucleophilic reactivity, as shown in the MEP plot and the carbonyl group and the phenyl rings are observed as electrophilic. PASS analysis predicts that the 4-Methylphenylquinoline-2-carboxylate might exhibit anti-diabetic activity. Molecular docking results suggest that the compound might exhibit inhibitory activity against GPb.

Effect of grain size and microstructure on radiation stability of CeO2: an extensive study

To investigate the variation in the radiation stability of ceria with microstructure under the electronic excitation regime, ceria samples sintered under different conditions were irradiated with high energy 100 MeV Ag ions. The ceria nanopowders were synthesized and sintered at 800 °C (S800), 1000 °C (S1000) and 1300 °C (S1300), respectively. The samples with widely varying grain size, densities and microstructure were obtained. The pristine and irradiated samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). None of the samples amorphized up to the highest fluence of 1 × 10(14) ions per cm(2) employed in this study. XRD and Raman studies showed that the sample with lowest grain size suffered maximum damage while the sample with largest grain size was most stable and showed little change in crystallinity. Raman spectroscopy indicated the enhanced formation of Ce(3+) and related defects in the sample with larger grain size after irradiation. The most intriguing result was the absence of Ce(3+)-related defects in the sample with lowest grain size which actually showed maximum damage upon irradiation. The XPS studies on S800 and S1300 provided concrete evidence for the presence of Ce(3+) and oxygen ion vacancies in S1300. The grain boundaries and grain size dependent stability have been discussed.

4-Hydroxynonenal in the pathogenesis and progression of human diseases

Metastable aldehydes produced by lipid peroxidation act as 'toxic second messengers' that extend the injurious potential of free radicals. 4-hydroxy 2-nonenal (HNE), a highly toxic and most abundant stable end product of lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in the tissue damage, dysfunction, injury associated with aging and other pathological states such as cancer, Alzheimer, diabetes, cardiovascular and inflammatory complications. Further, HNE has been considered as a oxidative stress marker and it act as a secondary signaling molecule to regulates a number of cell signaling pathways. Biological activity of HNE depends on its intracellular concentration, which can differentially modulate cell death, growth and differentiation. Therefore, the mechanisms responsible for maintaining the intracellular levels of HNE are most important, not only in the defense against oxidative stress but also in the pathophysiology of a number of disease processes. In this review, we discussed the significance of HNE in mediating various disease processes and how regulation of its metabolism could be therapeutically effective.

Probing photo-carrier collection efficiencies of individual silicon nanowire diodes on a wafer substrate

Vertically aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW) diodes are promising candidates for the integration into various opto-electronic device concepts for e.g. sensing or solar energy conversion. Individual SiNW p-n diodes have intensively been studied, but to date an assessment of their device performance once integrated on a silicon substrate has not been made. We show that using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with a nano-manipulator and an optical fiber feed-through for tunable (wavelength, power using a tunable laser source) sample illumination, the dark and illuminated current-voltage (I-V) curve of individual SiNW diodes on the substrate wafer can be measured. Surprisingly, the I-V-curve of the serially coupled system composed of SiNW/wafers is accurately described by an equivalent circuit model of a single diode and diode parameters like series and shunting resistivity, diode ideality factor and photocurrent can be retrieved from a fit. We show that the photo-carrier collection efficiency (PCE) of the integrated diode illuminated with variable wavelength and intensity light directly gives insight into the quality of the device design at the nanoscale. We find that the PCE decreases for high light intensities and photocurrent densities, due to the fact that considerable amounts of photo-excited carriers generated within the substrate lead to a decrease in shunting resistivity of the SiNW diode and deteriorate its rectification. The PCE decreases systematically for smaller wavelengths of visible light, showing the possibility of monitoring the effectiveness of the SiNW device surface passivation using the shown measurement technique. The integrated device was pre-characterized using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), TCAD simulations and electron beam induced current (EBIC) measurements to validate the properties of the characterized material at the single SiNW diode level.

QSAR guided semi-synthesis and in-vitro validation of anticancer activity in ursolic acid derivatives

As a part of our anticancer drug discovery programme, QSAR models were developed for the prediction of anticancer activities of ursolic acid derivatives against the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 and the human ductal breast epithelial T47D cancer cell lines followed by wet lab semi-synthesis of virtually active derivatives, their in-vitro biological evaluation and apoptosis. The development of QSAR models was carried out by forward stepwise multiple linear regression method using a leave-one-out approach. Virtually active derivatives were semi synthesized, spectroscopically characterized and then in-vitro tested against human cancer cell lines. Active derivatives were checked via DNA fragmentation assay. The results exhibited regression coefficients (r(2)) and the cross-validation regression coefficients (rCV(2)) for the human HepG2, MDA-MB-231 and T47D cancer cell lines as .95 and .90; .92 and .87; .89 and .83 respectively showing the prediction accuracy of the models against biological activities. Computational molecular modeling is a valid modern approach, widely used in the identification of potential drug leads. The most active virtual derivatives of UA were semi- synthesized and their in-vitro and ex-vivo evaluation showed similar results with the predicted one, validating our QSAR models. Out of several active derivatives, the three UA2, UA7 and UA10 were potentially active against the above human cancer cell lines. These findings may be of immense importance in the anticancer drug development of an inexpensive and widely available natural product, ursolic acid.

Aldose reductase regulates acrolein-induced cytotoxicity in human small airway epithelial cells

Aldose reductase (AR), a glucose-metabolizing enzyme, reduces lipid aldehydes and their glutathione conjugates with more than 1000-fold efficiency (Km aldehydes 5-30 µM) relative to glucose. Acrolein, a major endogenous lipid peroxidation product as well as a component of environmental pollutants and cigarette smoke, is known to be involved in various pathologies including atherosclerosis, airway inflammation, COPD, and age-related disorders, but the mechanism of acrolein-induced cytotoxicity is not clearly understood. We have investigated the role of AR in acrolein-induced cytotoxicity in primary human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs). Exposure of SAECs to varying concentrations of acrolein caused cell death in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. AR inhibition by fidarestat prevented the low-dose (5-10 µM) but not the high-dose (>10 µM) acrolein-induced SAEC death. AR inhibition protected SAECs from low-dose (5 µM) acrolein-induced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Inhibition of acrolein-induced apoptosis by fidarestat was confirmed by decreased condensation of nuclear chromatin, DNA fragmentation, comet tail moment, and annexin V fluorescence. Further, fidarestat inhibited acrolein-induced translocation of the proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bad from the cytosol to the mitochondria and that of Bcl2 and BclXL from the mitochondria to the cytosol. Acrolein-induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria was also prevented by AR inhibition. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38MAPK, and c-Jun were transiently activated in airway epithelial cells by acrolein in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion, which was significantly prevented by AR inhibition. These results suggest that AR inhibitors could prevent acrolein-induced cytotoxicity in the lung epithelial cells.

Evaluation of internal target volume in patients undergoing image-guided intensity modulated adjuvant radiation for gastric cancers

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) displacements of gastric remnant during adjuvant radiation.

METHODS

From January 2011 to September 2012, patients undergoing adjuvant image-guided intensity-modulated radiation on tomotherapy were included. Megavoltage CT (MVCT) data sets from daily treatment were coregistered with Day 1 MVCT. Residual stomach remnant was delineated on the data set, while the remaining were blinded to previous day contours. Gastric volume and centre of mass (COM) were determined for all data sets. The 3D deviation of COM was calculated for each fraction. Mean 3D and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for each patient and study population, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined. Also, systematic and random errors for patient population and internal target volume (ITV) margin were calculated using the van Herk formula.

RESULTS

There were 119 images available for 15 patients. Mean volume of remnant was 319 cm(3) (146-454 cm(3)). Gastric remnant expanded in different directions with no specific directional expansion. Average deviations in mediolateral, superoinferior and anteroposterior directions were 9 mm (3-25 mm; SD, 5 mm), 6 mm (3-16 mm; SD, 4 mm) and 5 mm (1-10 mm; SD, 3 mm), respectively, with 95% CI of 18, 15 and 11 mm, and ITV margins of 19.2, 13.5 and 7.8 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

There is large variation in gastric remnant volume during the course of radiation. Large displacements observed in the present study necessitate the need to investigate adaptive techniques for optimizing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) delivery.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

An adaptive strategy needs to be developed to optimize IMRT delivery for adjuvant gastric irradiation.

Aldose reductase inhibition enhances TRAIL-induced human colon cancer cell apoptosis through AKT/FOXO3a-dependent upregulation of death receptors

One of the major problems associated with the chemotherapy of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) that selectively kills tumor cells is decreased drug resistance. This warranted the development of safe novel pharmacological agents that could sensitize the tumor cells to TRAIL. Herein, we examined the role of aldose reductase (AR) in sensitizing cancer cells to TRAIL and potentiating TRAIL-induced apoptosis of human colon cancer cells. We demonstrate that AR inhibition potentiates TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity in cancer cells by upregulation of both death receptor (DR)-5 and DR4. Knockdown of DR5 and DR4 significantly (>85%) reduced the sensitizing effect of the AR inhibitor fidarestat on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Further, AR inhibition also downregulates cell survival proteins (Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, survivin, XIAP, and FLIP) and upregulates the expression of proapoptotic proteins such as Bax and alters mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to cytochrome c release, caspases-3 activation, and PARP cleavage. We found that AR inhibition regulates AKT/PI3K-dependent activation of forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a. Knockdown of FOXO3a significantly (>80%) abolished AR inhibition-induced upregulation of DR5 and DR4 and apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Overall, our results show that fidarestat potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis through downregulation of cell survival proteins and upregulation of death receptors via activation of the AKT/FOXO3a pathway.