Modulation of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) gene expression in isolated porcine hepatocytes perfused within a radial-flow bioreactor after low-temperature storing

Effect of alfalfa substituted with ramie on the expression of apoptotic genes in the gastrointestinal tracts of goats

The study investigated the effect of alfalfa hay substituted with ramie silage on the expression of apoptotic genes in the gastrointestinal tract of goats. Thirty‐two goats were randomly allocated into four groups, in which the alfalfa was substituted with ramie at 0%, 35%, 75%, and 100% levels, respectively. In the rumen, the mRNA expression of Bax was significantly up‐regulated (p = .0007) when alfalfa was 100% substituted by ramie; the mRNA expression of Bcl‐2/Bax was significantly down‐regulated (p = .02) when alfalfa was 100% substituted by ramie compared with the 75% substituted treatment; the protein expression of Bcl‐xl was significantly down‐regulated (p = .03) when alfalfa was 100% substituted by ramie compared with 35% and 75% substituted treatments, respectively. In the jejunum, the mRNA expression of p53 was significantly up‐regulated (p = .01) when alfalfa was 100% substituted by ramie compared with 0% and 35% substituted treatments; the protein expression of p53 was significantly up‐regulated (p = .001) when alfalfa was 35% substituted by ramie compared with 0% and 75% substituted treatments. However, the activity of Caspase‐3 was not affected by different substituting levels of ramie in the rumen and jejunum of goats (p > .05). In conclusion, ramie with high substitution had strong antinutritional effect, which might promote the apoptosis in the gastrointestinal tract of goats in a caspase‐independent manner, thus affecting the growth and development of goat. It was suggested that ramie should not replace alfalfa more than 35% in the process of goat feeding.

Effects of BCc1 nanoparticle and its mixture with doxorubicin on survival of murine 4T1 tumor model

Background: Our previous findings showed that BCc1, a nanoparticle designed based on nanochelating technology, can be considered a new anti-cancer nanoparticle if confirmed by complementary studies.

Goal: In the present study, we investigated the effects of the BCc1 nanoparticle alone on some gene expressions influencing the apoptosis pathway, and also the effect of the mixture of BCc1 nanoparticle and doxorubicin on survival.

Method: Using an in vitro study, the effects of the BCc1 nanoparticle on Bax, Bcl2, p53, Caspase7 and p21 gene expressions were assessed after a 24-h treatment using real-time PCR in MCF-7 and MEFs; in addition, using an in vivo study, 4T1 tumor-bearing female Balb/c mice were treated with different doses of the BCc1 nanoparticle and doxorubicin alone and together and then their mean and median survival was evaluated.

Result: The results showed that the BCc1 nanoparticle increased gene expressions of RB, p53, Caspase7, p21, and Bax and decreased gene expressions of Bcl2 in MCF-7 significantly, but no change was observed in MEFs expressions. The findings revealed that the BCc1 nanoparticle, when used orally, had the highest mean and median survival time. A mixture of a high dose of the BCc1 nanoparticle (1 mg/kg) and a low dose of doxorubicin (0.1 mg/kg) showed synergistic effects on enhanced life span, while doxorubicin dose was prescribed approximately 50 times less than the murine applicable dose (5 mg/kg).

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the BCc1 nanoparticle not only has the potential to become a novel nanomedicine for cancer therapy, but it can also provide the basis of a new medicine for cancer management when mixed with a lower applicable dose of doxorubicin.