Preliminary Exploration on Anti-Fibrosis Effect of Kaempferol in Mice with Schistosoma Japonicum Infection

This study is to explore the effectiveness and mechanism of kaempferol on treatment of hepatic fibrosis induced by schistosoma egg. Thirty-six healthy male balb/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including negative group, positive group, and 4 different dosages of kaempferol treatment groups. Each mouse was infected with 20 schistosoma Cercariae japonicum, except the ones in the negative group. Four weeks later, every infected mouse was administrated with 500mg/kg/day praziquantel for 2 days, and all kaempferol groups were followed by a 4-week administration of kaempferol with 5, 10, 15 and 20mg/kg/day respectively, while both control groups were administrated with normal saline. AH the mice were sacrificed on the 59th day after infection. The liver tissues were taken for Masson staining to detect collagen and real-time quantitative PCR to detect the mRNA expression of IL-13, collagen 1 and MMP-2. As a result, Masson stain showed that the optical density of the interested region in the positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (P<0.01), and the optical density in all kaempferol groups was significantly lower than that in the positive group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expression of IL-13 in the positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (P<0.01), and the expression of IL-13 in the 20mg/kg and 15mg/kg kaempferol groups was significantly lower than that in the positive group, respectively (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of collagen 1 in the positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (P<0.01), and mRNA expression of collagen 1 in the 20mg/kg kaempferol group was significantly lower than that in the positive group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the positive and negative groups on mRNA expression of MMP-2. The mRNA expression of MMP-2 in all kaempferol groups was significantly higher than that in the positive group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In conclusion, kaempferol can ameliorate schistosoma egg-induced hepatic fibrosis via regulating the IL-13 signal pathway. Kaempferol is very likely to be an IL-13 targeted anti-fibrosis medicine.

Activity of Corilagin on Post-Parasiticide Liver Fibrosis in Schistosomiasis Animal Model

This study investigates the effects and possible molecular mechanisms of corilagin extraction on prevention of Schistosoma japonicum ova-induced granulomas and liver fibrosis. As a result, under a light microscope, when compared to a model group, the corilagin group showed smaller granulomas, less liver cell denaturation and less inflammatory cell infiltration, and the connective tissues were significantly decreased. By Masson staining, the liver sections from the corilagin group showed less collagen distributed around granulomas, decreased liver fibrosis in the portal tracts and less formed interlobular tissue. The expression of hydroxyproline, IL-13 in liver and GATA3 in spleen in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05 or 0.01), while the level of hydroxyproline, IL-13 and GATA3 in the corilagin group were significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). In conclusion, corilagin extraction can decrease the level of Th2-associated profibrotic cytokine IL-13, and down-regulate the transcription of GATA3 mRNA in spleen cells, which alleviate the hepatic fibrosis caused by egg granuloma in Schistosoma japonicum infection.

Part III. Molecular changes induced by high nitric oxide adaptation in human breast cancer cell line BT-20 (BT-20-HNO): a switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism

Nutrient deprivation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in breast cancer mitochondrial adaptation. Adaptations to these conditions allow cells to survive in the stressful microenvironment of the tumor bed. This study is directed at defining the consequences of High Nitric Oxide (HNO) exposure to mitochondria in human breast cancer cells. The breast cancer cell line BT-20 (parent) was adapted to HNO as previously reported, resulting in the BT-20-HNO cell line. Both cell lines were analyzed by a variety of methods including MTT, LDH leakage assay, DNA sequencing, and Western blot analysis. The LDH assay and the gene chip data showed that BT-20-HNO was more prone to use the glycolytic pathway than the parent cell line. The BT-20-HNO cells were also more resistant to the apoptotic inducing agent salinomycin, which suggests that p53 may be mutated in these cells. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing of the p53 gene showed that it was, in fact, mutated at the DNA-binding site (L194F). Western blot analysis showed that p53 was significantly upregulated in these cells. These results suggest that free radicals, such as nitric oxide (NO), pressure human breast tumor cells to acquire an aggressive phenotype and resistance to apoptosis. These data collectively provide a mechanism by which the dysregulation of ROS in the mitochondria of breast cancer cells can result in DNA damage.

RIP140 is associated with subclinical inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients

AIMS

To evaluate the expression level of RIP140 (receptor interaction protein 140) and its correlation with inflammatory cytokine production and free fatty acids (FFAs) in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 24 diabetic and 30 healthy individuals. The levels of FFAs, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, FIN, and FBG were measured. The insulin resistance index was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Additionally, PBMCs from control group were cultured alone or with 500 μmol/L palmitic acid (PA). Levels of RIP140 TNF-α, and IL-6 in PBMCs were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR, Western blots and ELISA. The relationship between RIP140 and other variables was performed using SPSS 11.5 software.

RESULTS

TG, LDL-C, FIN, FBG, HOMA, and HDL-C were significantly different between diabetic patients and the control group. Levels of RIP140, TNF-α, and IL-6 were higher in the diabetic group compared to control. RIP140 expression was positively correlated with FFAs, HDL-c, TNF-α, IL-6, FIN, FBG, and HOMA. Finally, 500 μmol/L PA treatment increased RIP140 expression and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in cultured control PBMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased RIP140 level may be closely associated with inflammation and disorder of lipid and glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.

SU-E-T-246: Preliminary Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) Analysis for Radiation Pneumonitis (RP) after Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)

PURPOSE

NTCP analysis was performed with Lyman model to study the dose tolerance limits for radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) in hypofractionated SBRT. Since SBRT is increasingly being applied for the treatment of large and central tumors, it is important from a clinical point of view to determine the dose tolerance limits for specific risk of toxicity.

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients who were treated using volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) for lung tumors exceeding 80cc were assessed. The evaluation of toxicity was scored using Common Toxicity Criteria AE4.0. Median follow-up time was 12.8 months. Clinical outcomes have been published, and we performed an NTCP analysis to determine the complication rate in relation to statistical dose tolerance limits. The dose volume histogram (DVH) reduction techniques of the total lung V20Gy, V15Gy, V10Gy, V5Gy and mean lung dose (MLD) were each analyzed, as well as the ipsilateral lung V5Gy and the contralateral lung V5Gy. The framework of the Lyman Model was used except that each DVH reduction method was analyzed independently instead of using the power-law relationship for volume dependence. Model parameters were fitted using the Maximum Likelihood technique.

RESULTS

RP was reported in 5 patients (CTC Grade 2 in 3, and Grade 3 in 2). Total lung V5Gy and contralateral lung V5Gy were the best predictors of RP (p < 0.0001 for both). For V5Gy, the 10% risk level for Grade 2-3 RP was 28.4% for total lung and 21.6% for contralateral lung.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of RP endpoints has identified total lung V5Gy and contralateral lung V5Gy as the best predictors of RP following RapidArc. These findings are based on limited clinical data, and longer follow-up in larger patient cohorts is required in order to determine more accurate dose tolerance limits. Dr. Grimm developed the DVH Evaluator, described at www.DiversiLabs.com and distributed by www.LifeLineSoftware.com. The analysis presented here is part of that software. Dr. Senan's department has received research funding from Varian Medical Systems, and Dr. Senan has received speakers honoraria from Varian.

Optimal selection for multiple quantitative trait loci and contributions of individuals using genetic algorithm

Two methods (Scheme A and Scheme B) were developed to optimize the relative weights on quantitative trait loci (QTL) and contributions of selected individuals simultaneously to maximize selection response while constraining the rate of inbreeding to the rate observed in gene assisted selection (GAS). In Scheme A, both the relative weights give to QTL and contributions of the selected individuals were optimized using a genetic algorithm. The possible solutions for relative weights of QTL and contributions of the selected individuals were encoded simultaneously. A physical selection population was used to evaluate the fitness of each encoded solution using stochastic simulation with 50 replicates. The fitness of each solution was the mean of all replicates for accumulative discounted sum of genetic means of all generations in physical selection population. In Scheme B, the optimization for relative weights on QTL was similar to Scheme A, and also was implemented based on a genetic algorithm. However, unlike Scheme A, an optimal contribution algorithm (OC) was used to optimize contributions of selection candidates. When compared with GAS, Schemes A and B resulted in up to 15.88 and 22.26% extra discounted sum of genetic value of all generations in a long planning horizon, respectively. Compared GAS+OC and Scheme B, most of the increase (about 78%) in genetic gain was produced by only optimizing contributions of selected individuals. The optimization for relative weight given to QTL just avoided the long-term loss (about 22%) observed in GAS scheme.

Telomerase inhibition strategies by siRNAs against either hTR or hTERT in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) are considered effective molecular targets for current anticancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of targeting hTR and hTERT individually or in combination by recombinant adenovirus-delivered small interfering RNA (siRNA) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Tca8113. Further, we screened the optimal strategy for RNA interference. Our results show that these different recombinant adenoviruses specifically reduced the levels of hTR mRNA, hTERT mRNA, hTERT protein and telomerase activity in Tca8113 cells. Moreover, they successfully inhibited xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. The potency of their antitumor activities was ranked as follows: anti-hTR >anti-hTR+anti-hTERT >anti-hTERT. Therefore, we demonstrated that the siRNA-expressing recombinant adenoviruses were an effective anticancer tool for treatment of OSCC. Furthermore, the anticancer effect of solely targeting hTR was more direct and efficient, compared with the effect of targeting hTR and hTERT in combination, or hTERT exclusively. The mechanism of this anticancer effect in OSCC was not only related to the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of cell apoptosis, but might also involve the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Pioglitazone modulates the balance of effector and regulatory T cells in apolipoprotein E deficient mice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Pioglitazone (PIO) affects T cell-mediated immunity through actions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Effector and regulatory T cells control the development of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the arterial blood vessels. The aim of this study was to examine whether PIO ameliorates atherosclerosis by altering the balance of effector and regulatory T cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To explore the effect of PIO on early and advanced atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were fed western diet and received PIO (20 mg/kg/day) by gastric gavage at 6 or 14 weeks of age, respectively for 8 weeks. Data showed PIO markedly inhibited early fatty streak formation. Further, although the advanced fibrofatty plaque sizes were not significantly reduced, the numbers of smooth muscle cells within lesions were increased and higher collagen concentrations were produced. In general, macrophage expression in lesions was decreased. Additionally, the expression of Foxp3(+) cells was increased in lesions and spleens in mice at all PIO treatment stages, whereas the CD4(+)IFN-γ(+)/CD4(+)IL-4(+) cell ratios were reduced.

CONCLUSION

PIO inhibited early atherosclerotic lesion formation and increased the stability of advanced atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE-/- mice, which was associated with altering the balance of effector and regulatory T cells.