Cyclooxygenase-2, p53 and glucose transporter-1 as predictors of malignancy in the development of gallbladder carcinomas

Synthesis, Characterization, DFT, and In Silico Investigation of Two Newly Synthesized β-Diketone Derivatives as Potent COX-2 Inhibitors

Despite extensive genetic and biochemical characterization, the molecular genetic basis underlying the biosynthesis of β-diketones remains largely unexplored. β-Diketones and their complexes find broad applications as biologically active compounds. In this study, in silico molecular docking results revealed that two β-diketone derivatives, namely 2-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)hydrazono)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione and 5,5-dimethyl-2-(2-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)hydrazono)cyclohexane-1,3-dione, exhibit anti-COX-2 activities. However, recent docking results indicated that the relative anti-COX-2 activity of these two studied β-diketones was influenced by the employed docking programs. For improved design of COX-2 inhibitors from β-diketones, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, Hirshfeld surface analysis, energy framework, and ADMET studies. The goal was to understand the interaction mechanisms and evaluate the inhibitory characteristics. The results indicate that 5,5-dimethyl-2-(2-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)hydrazono)cyclohexane-1,3-dione shows greater anti-COX-2 activity compared to 2-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)hydrazono)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione.

The potential mechanism of Longsheyangquan Decoction on the treatment of bladder cancer: Systemic network pharmacology and molecular docking

Our goal was to explore the bioactive constituents of Longsheyangquan (LSYQ) Decoction and elucidate its mechanisms on the treatment of bladder cancer (BCa). A total of 38 compounds were selected based on their pharmacokinetic properties in three large traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) databases. 654 putative targets of LSYQ Decoction were predicted using a structure-based, reverse-docking algorithm online, of which 343 overlapped with BCa-related protein-coding genes. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to perform module analysis for further Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, which identified CDK2, EGFR, MMP9 and PTGS2 as hub targets. The TCM-compound-target network and compound-target-pathway network together revealed that quercetin, diosmetin, enhydrin and luteolin were the main components of LSYQ Decoction. Finally, molecular docking showed the affinity between the key compounds and the hub target proteins to verify the accuracy of drug target prediction in the first place. The present study deciphered the core components and targets of LSYQ Decoction on the treatment of BCa in a comprehensive systemic pharmacological manner.

Preoperative geriatric nutritional risk index is an independent prognostic factor for postoperative survival after gallbladder cancer radical surgery

Background

Currently, the surgical outcomes of gallbladder cancer (GBC) are not always satisfactory. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) can effectively assess nutritional status. This study intends to investigate whether the preoperative GNRI can predict the prognosis of GBC.

Methods

202 consecutive GBC patients who underwent treatment from 2010 to 2017 were selected and analyzed retrospectively. By using the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), the preoperative GNRI of GBC patients was evaluated.

Results

Among the 202 patients, the GNRI of the 86 patients (42.6%) was less than 98. The patients with low preoperative GNRI had the median OS of 26 months, which was less than the median OS of 39 months among those patients who had higher preoperative GNRI (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that low GNRI was related to short survival time (HR 3.656, 95% CI 2.308–5.790, P < 0.001). In addition, the results of multivariate analysis revealed that, the patients with low GNRI showed a lower OS (HR 2.207, 95% CI 1.131–4.308, P = 0.020) and RFS (HR 2.964, 95% CI 1.577–5.571, P = 0.001) than those patients with higher GNRI.

Conclusion

GNRI is an independent indicator of poor prognosis in GBC patients after GBC radical surgery.

p16 loss facilitate hydroquinone-induced malignant transformation of TK6 cells through promoting cell proliferation and accelerating the cell cycle progression

The p16^INK4A is a multifunction gene that includes regulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis, senescence and tumor development. However, the effects of p16 in hydroquinone-induced malignant transformation of TK6 cells remain unclear. The present study aimed to explore whether p16 loss facilitate malignant transformation in TK6 cells. The results demonstrated that p16/Rb signal pathway was suppressed in hydroquinone-induced malignant transformation of TK6 cells. We further confirmed that p16 loss stimulated cell proliferation, and accelerated cell cycle progression in vitro and in vivo. The immunoblotting analysis indicated that p16 regulated cell cycle progression via Rb and p53. Therefore, we conclude that p16 is involved in HQ-induced malignant transformation associated with suppressing Rb and p53 which resulting in accelerating the cell cycle progression.

Network pharmacology integrated with molecular docking reveals the common experiment-validated antipyretic mechanism of bitter-cold herbs

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bitter-cold herbs have been used to clearing heat and expelling damp in clinical practice in China for thousands of years.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the common molecular mechanism of bitter-cold herbs through network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking and experimental validation in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacological analysis integrated with molecular docking was employed to identify the active compounds and core action targets of the bitter-cold herbs. Then, the yeast-induced pathological model was established, and the antipyretic effect of the herbs was evaluated by checking rectal temperatures of the mice hourly. Lastly, the protein expression of core targets was examined to reveal the antipyretic mechanism.

RESULTS

A total of 52 lead compounds from the four bitter-cold herbs, Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PCC), Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (SFR), Gentianae Radix Et Rhozima (GRER) and Coptidis Rhizoma (CR), and 248 compounds-related targets were screened out with PTGS2 ranking the first. The results from molecular docking showed that 22 compounds adopted the same orientation as aspirin and had an excellent stability in the active site pocket of PTGS2. Furthermore, these herbs exerted potential therapeutic effects through 38 related pathways. On the other hand, the outcome of animal experiments showed that they could significantly attenuate the yeast-induced mice fever with dose-dependent relationship. Further experimental results demonstrated that administration of yeast suspension raised protein expression of PTGS2 significantly, which was evidently inhibited in the high or low-dose groups of GRER as well as in the low-dose group of SFR (P < 0.01) though a higher expression of PTGS2 was shown in the low-dose group of CR compared with FM group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The bitter-cold herbs can alleviate fever response and their antipyretic effect may mainly be attributed to regulating the expression of PTGS2 after the formation of ligand-receptor/PTGS2 complexes, and their active compounds might be nominated as antipyretic lead-ligand candidates.

Preoperative fasting hyperglycemia is an independent prognostic factor for postoperative survival after gallbladder carcinoma radical surgery

BACKGROUND

Preoperative high blood glucose levels are closely associated with poor performance and high mortality in cancer patients. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between preoperative fasting hyperglycemia and the prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) after undergoing GBC radical surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 83 eligible patients who underwent GBC radical surgery between 2007 and 2016 was performed. Factors affecting overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 83 patients, 35 (42.2%) had preoperative fasting hyperglycemia. The median OS of the enrolled patients was 12 months. The median OS in patients with fasting hyperglycemia before surgery was 18 months, which was shorter than for patients with normal fasting blood glucose levels before surgery (47 months, P<0.001). Preoperative fasting hyperglycemia was associated with shorter survival times in univariate analyses (HR, 3.215; 95% CI, 1.846-5.601; P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with preoperative fasting hyperglycemia had a lower OS (HR, 2.832; 95% CI, 1.480-5.418; P=0.002) and RFS (HR, 2.051; 95% CI, 1.127-3.733; P=0.019) than patients with normal preoperative fasting blood glucose levels.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative fasting hyperglycemia is an independent indicator of poor prognosis in GBC patients after GBC radical surgery.

Cancer; an induced disease of twentieth century! Induction of tolerance, increased entropy and 'Dark Energy': loss of biorhythms (Anabolism v. Catabolism)

Maintenance of health involves a synchronized network of catabolic and anabolic signals among organs/tissues/cells that requires differential bioenergetics from mitochondria and glycolysis (biological laws or biorhythms). We defined biological circadian rhythms as Yin (tumoricidal) and Yang (tumorigenic) arms of acute inflammation (effective immunity) involving immune and non-immune systems. Role of pathogens in altering immunity and inducing diseases and cancer has been documented for over a century. However, in 1955s decision makers in cancer/medical establishment allowed public (current baby boomers) to consume million doses of virus-contaminated polio vaccines. The risk of cancer incidence and mortality sharply rose from 5% (rate of hereditary/genetic or innate disease) in 1900s, to its current scary status of 33% or 50% among women and men, respectively. Despite better hygiene, modern detection technologies and discovery of antibiotics, baby boomers and subsequent 2–3 generations are sicker than previous generations at same age. American health status ranks last among other developed nations while America invests highest amount of resources for healthcare. In this perspective we present evidence that cancer is an induced disease of twentieth century, facilitated by a great deception of cancer/medical establishment for huge corporate profits. Unlike popularized opinions that cancer is 100, 200 or 1000 diseases, we demonstrate that cancer is only one disease; the severe disturbances in biorhythms (differential bioenergetics) or loss of balance in Yin and Yang of effective immunity. Cancer projects that are promoted and funded by decision makers are reductionist approaches, wrong and unethical and resulted in loss of millions of precious lives and financial toxicity to society. Public vaccination with pathogen-specific vaccines (e.g., flu, hepatitis, HPV, meningitis, measles) weakens, not promotes, immunity. Results of irresponsible projects on cancer sciences or vaccines are increased population of drug-dependent sick society. Outcome failure rates of claimed ‘targeted’ drugs, ‘precision’ or ‘personalized’ medicine are 90% (± 5) for solid tumors. We demonstrate that aging, frequent exposures to environmental hazards, infections and pathogen-specific vaccines and ingredients are ‘antigen overload’ for immune system, skewing the Yin and Yang response profiles and leading to induction of ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ immune disorders. Induction of decoy or pattern recognition receptors (e.g., PRRs), such as IRAK-M or IL-1dRs (‘designer’ molecules) and associated genomic instability and over-expression of growth promoting factors (e.g., pyruvate kinases, mTOR and PI3Ks, histamine, PGE2, VEGF) could lead to immune tolerance, facilitating cancer cells to hijack anabolic machinery of immunity (Yang) for their increased growth requirements. Expression of constituent embryonic factors would negatively regulate differentiation of tumor cells through epithelial–mesenchymal-transition and create “dual negative feedback loop” that influence tissue metabolism under hypoxic conditions. It is further hypothesized that induction of tolerance creates ‘dark energy’ and increased entropy and temperature in cancer microenvironment allowing disorderly cancer proliferation and mitosis along with increased glucose metabolism via Crabtree and Pasteur Effects, under mitophagy and ribophagy, conditions that are toxic to host survival. Effective translational medicine into treatment requires systematic and logical studies of complex interactions of tumor cells with host environment that dictate clinical outcomes. Promoting effective immunity (biological circadian rhythms) are fundamental steps in correcting host differential bioenergetics and controlling cancer growth, preventing or delaying onset of diseases and maintaining public health. The author urges independent professionals and policy makers to take a closer look at cancer dilemma and stop the ‘scientific/medical ponzi schemes’ of a powerful group that control a drug-dependent sick society before all hopes for promoting public health evaporate.

Curcumin inhibits lung cancer invasion and metastasis by attenuating GLUT1/MT1-MMP/MMP2 pathway

Glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 is found highly expressed in malignant tumors and considered a mediator inducing cancer metastasis. Curcumin is a natural product which exerts anti-invasion and metastasis effects in cancer. This study aimed at evaluating whether attenuating GLUT1 was involved in curcumin's anti-invasion and metastasis effects. In the in vitro part, constricted pcDNA3.1-GLUT1 vector was transfected into A549 cells. MTT assay was used to assess the curcumin's effects on proliferation in lung cancer A549 cells. Transwell assay was used to evaluate the anti-invasion effect of curcumin on A549 cells. Real-time PCR and Western-blotting were employed to examine the expression levels of GLUT1, membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 in curcumin- incubated A549 cells. In the in vivo part, tumor weight and metastatic rate were assessed in nude mice bearing untransfected, empty vector transfected and pcDNA3.1-GLUT1 transfected A549 cells originated tumors. In this study, we found that curcumin began to show significant cytotoxicity against proliferation effect at 45 μmol/L. Curcumin inhibited invasion and expressions of GLUT1, MT1-MMP and MMP2 untransfected A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. pcDNA3.1-GLUT1 transfected A549 cells exhibited resistance to curcumin's anti-invasion effect by up-regulating expressions of GLUT2, MT1-MMP and MMP2. Furthermore, curcumin failed to decrease the metastatic rate in nude mice bearing pcDNA3.1-GLUT1 transfected A549 cells originated tumors. These results suggested that curcumin inhibit lung cancer invasion and metastasis by attenuating GLUT1/MT1-MMP/MMP2 pathway.

Identification of suitable reference genes for investigating gene expression in human gallbladder carcinoma using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) has become a frequently used strategy in gene expression studies. The relative quantification method is an important and commonly used method for the evaluation of RT‑qPCR data. The key aim of this method is to identify an applicable internal reference gene, however, there are currently no suitable reference genes for gene analysis in gallbladder carcinoma. In the present study, screening was performed using 12 common reference genes, which were selected in order to provide an experimental basis for the investigation of gene expression in gallbladder carcinoma. A total of 16 tissue samples of gallbladder carcinoma and their matched normal gallbladder tissues were used. The gene expression stability and applicability of the 12 reference gene candidates were determined using the geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper software programs. Following comparison of the results of the three software programs, HPRT1 was identified as the most stably expressed reference gene. In the normal gallbladder group, the relative stably expressed reference gene was PPIA and in the entire sample group, the relatively stably expressed reference gene was PPIA. The present study also demonstrated that the combination of the three reference genes was the most appropriate. The recommended combinations were PPIA + PUM1 + ACTB for the total sample group, GAPDH + PBGD + ALAS1 for the gallbladder carcinoma group and PPIA + PUM1 + TBP for the paired normal gallbladder group.

Comparison of the gene expression profiles between gallstones and gallbladder polyps

BACKGROUND

Gallstones and gallbladder polyps (GPs) are two major types of gallbladder diseases that share multiple common symptoms. However, their pathological mechanism remains largely unknown. The aim of our study is to identify gallstones and GPs related-genes and gain an insight into the underlying genetic basis of these diseases.

METHODS

We enrolled 7 patients with gallstones and 2 patients with GP for RNA-Seq and we conducted functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks analysis for identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

RESULTS

RNA-Seq produced 41.7 million in gallstones and 32.1 million pairs in GPs. A total of 147 DEGs was identified between gallstones and GPs. We found GO terms for molecular functions significantly enriched in antigen binding (GO:0003823, P=5.9E-11), while for biological processes, the enriched GO terms were immune response (GO:0006955, P=2.6E-15), and for cellular component, the enriched GO terms were extracellular region (GO:0005576, P=2.7E-15). To further evaluate the biological significance for the DEGs, we also performed the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The most significant pathway in our KEGG analysis was Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction (P=7.5E-06). PPI network analysis indicated that the significant hub proteins containing S100A9 (S100 calcium binding protein A9, Degree=94) and CR2 (complement component receptor 2, Degree=8).

CONCLUSION

This present study suggests some promising genes and may provide a clue to the role of these genes playing in the development of gallstones and GPs.

Histopathological analysis of Salmonella chronic carriage in the mouse hepatopancreatobiliary system

Salmonella Typhi asymptomatic chronic carriage represents a challenge for the diagnosis and prevention of typhoid fever in endemic areas. Such carriers are thought to be reservoirs for further spread of the disease. Gallbladder carriage has been demonstrated to be mediated by biofilm formation on gallstones and by intracellular persistence in the gallbladder epithelium of mice. In addition, both gallstones and chronic carriage have been associated with chronic inflammation and the development of gallbladder carcinoma. However, the pathogenic relationship between typhoid carriage and the development of pre-malignant and/or malignant lesions in the hepatopancreatobiliary system as well as the host-pathogen interactions occurring during chronic carriage remains unclear. In this study, we monitored the histopathological features of chronic carriage up to 1 year post-infection. Chronic cholecystitis and hepatitis ranging from mild to severe were present in infected mice regardless of the presence of gallstones. Biliary epithelial hyperplasia was observed more commonly in the gallbladder of mice with gallstones (uninfected or infected). However, pre-malignant lesions, atypical hyperplasia and metaplasia of the gallbladder and exocrine pancreas, respectively, were only associated with chronic Salmonella carriage. This study has implications regarding the role of Salmonella chronic infection and inflammation in the development of pre-malignant lesions in the epithelium of the gallbladder and pancreas that could lead to oncogenesis.

Correlation among 16 biological factors [p53, p21(waf1), MIB-1 (Ki-67), p16(INK4A), cyclin D1, E-cadherin, Bcl-2, TNF-α, NF-κB, TGF-β, MMP-7, COX-2, EGFR, HER2/neu, ER, and HIF-1α] and clinical outcomes following curative chemoradiation therapy in 10 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The expression levels of 16 proteins were analyzed to identify prognostic correlations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The immunohistochemical expression levels of p53, p21^waf1, molecular immunology borstel-1 (MIB-1, Ki-67), p16^INK4A, cyclin D1, E-cadherin, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human EGFR type 2 (HER2/neu), estrogen receptor (ER) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α were studied in 10 cases of ESCC treated with CCRT. The patients underwent CCRT between 2000 and 2010. The mean patient age was 68.1 years (range, 46-80 years). The numbers of patients in stages I, II, III and IV of the disease were 2, 2, 3 and 3, respectively. Of the tumors, 8 were positive for p53, 6 for p21^{waf1, 7} for MIB-1 (Ki-67), 7 for p16^INK4A, 7 for cyclin D1, 8 for E-cadherin, 3 for Bcl-2, 0 for TNF-α, 5 for NF-κB, 7 for TGF-β, 9 for MMP-7, 7 for COX-2, 5 for EGFR, 1 for HER2/neu, 1 for ER and 7 for HIF-1α. The 2-year overall survival rate of patients expressing high levels of MIB-1 was 71% (±17%) compared with 0% (P=0.019) for those expressing low levels. For NF-κB, the rate was 0% for patients with high levels compared with 100% (P<0.018) for those with low levels. The 2-year local control rates of HER2/neu were 0% in patients expressing high levels and 88% (±12%) in patients expressing low levels (P=0.027). The 2-year disease-free survival rates of HER2/neu and ER were 0% for patients expressing high levels compared with 56% (±17%) for those with low levels (P=0.027). There were no significant correlations between the expression levels of the other proteins and clinical outcomes. In the present study, high levels of MIB-1 and low levels of NF-κB, HER2 and ER were shown to be good prognostic factors following definitive CCRT for ESCC.

Correlation of cell cycle regulatory proteins (p53 and p16(ink)⁴(a)) and bcl-2 oncoprotein with mitotic index and thickness of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma

The purpose of the study was to determine the frequency of expression p53 and p16INK4a proteins and bcl-2 oncoprotein in malignant skin melanoma and to determine their correlation with the proliferative index and tumor thickness. The study involved 53 patients: 27 (51%) male and 26 (49%) female. Mitotic index showed a correlation with p53 protein expression, a negative correlation with p16INK4a protein expression. Statistically significant correlations were determined between the Breslow tumor thickness, Clark invasion level and p53 protein expression, as well as Breslow tumor thickness and bcl-2 oncoprotein expression (p<0.05), whereas there was no correlation between the p16INK4a protein expression and melanoma thicknes and Clark invasion level. Overexpression p53 protein and bcl-2 oncoprotein, with the loss p16INK4a protein of expression in the nodular melanoma, confirms a frequent loss of function of these tumor suppressor gene and oncogene, and indicates a vertical tumor growth phase. The loss of tumor suppression function the p53 protein and bcl-2 oncoprotein overexpression in cutaneous melanoma correlates with larger tumor thickness, whereas the overexpression of mutated p53 protein and loss p16INK4a protein of expression indicate a higher proliferative tumour potential. Therefore, these evaluated proteins may be the aggressive biological tumour activity markers.