Increased preventive effect on colon carcinogenesis by use of resistant starch (RS3) as the carrier for polysaccharide of Larimichthys crocea swimming bladder

Loss of Peroxiredoxin IV Protects Mice from Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colorectal Cancer Development

Peroxiredoxin IV (Prx4), a typical two-cysteine-containing member of the peroxidase family, functions as an antioxidant to maintain cellular redox homeostasis through the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via cycles of oxidation-reduction reactions. Under oxidative stress, all Prxs including Prx4 are inactivated as their catalytic cysteines undergo hyperoxidation, and hyperoxidized two-cysteine Prxs can be exclusively repaired and revitalized through the reduction cycle catalyzed by sulfiredoxin (Srx). Previously, we showed that Prx4 is a preferred substrate of Srx, and knockout of Srx in mice leads to resistance to azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced colon carcinogenesis. To further understand the significance of the Srx/Prx4 axis in colorectal cancer development, Prx4-/- mice were established and subjected to standard AOM/DSS protocol. Compared with wildtype littermates, mice with Prx4-/- genotype had significantly fewer and smaller tumors. Histopathological analysis revealed that loss of Prx4 leads to increased cell death through lipid peroxidation and lower infiltration of inflammatory cells in the knockout tumors compared to wildtype. Treatment with DSS alone also showed decreased infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes in the colon of knockout mice, suggesting a role for Prx4 in inflammatory response. In addition, loss of Prx4 caused alterations in plasma cytokines and chemokines after DSS and AOM/DSS treatments. These findings suggest that loss of Prx4 protects mice from AOM/DSS-induced colon tumorigenesis. Thus, targeting Prx4 may provide novel strategies for colon cancer prevention and treatment.

Effects of Cheonggukjang (Fermented Soybean) on the Development of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer in Mice

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and is caused by multiple factors. Chronic inflammation, known to cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is closely associated with CRC. Cheonggukjang (CJ), a traditional Korean fermented soybean, is a functional food with anti-inflammatory effects in the intestines, but its anti-cancer effects have not yet been explored. In this study, we investigated the cancer-protective effects of cheonggukjang in an azoxymethane/DSS (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) mouse model. The CJ alleviated AOM/DSS-induced pathological symptoms such as colonic shortening, increased spleen weight, tumor formation, and histological changes. It also modulated pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels via the suppression of NF-κB and inflammatory mediator signaling pathways. Furthermore, the CJ improved intestinal integrity by regulating mucin-associated and tight junction proteins. In addition, it suppressed tumor growth by regulating apoptosis and proliferation. These results highlight the anti-tumor effects of CJ in an AOM/DSS-induced CAC mouse model.

Alleviative Effect of Herbal Extract Containing Phytoconstituents of Bambusa vulgaris and Opuntia ficus-indica against AOM/DSS-Induced Colorectal-Carcinoma-Bearing Mice

The study includes preliminary phytochemical screening and assessing alleviative effects of ethanolic extract of Bambusa vulgaris shoots and Opuntia ficus-indica fruits (EEBO) on azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced colorectal cancer in rodents. Acute oral toxicity study was performed to find the therapeutic dose of EEBO. In animals, cancer was induced by single injection of AOM 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally followed by supply of three repeated cycles of 2.5% of DSS solution. Then animals were treated with EEBO from third day of experiment and treatment was continued throughout the experimental period. The anticancer effect was assessed by studying body weight (b. wt) changes, macroanatomy, antioxidant level, and microanatomy of colon. The phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, carbohydrate, and flavonoid in bamboo extract, whereas glycoside and flavonoid in cactus extract. The results found that EEBO increases the b. wt and level of antioxidants like sodium dismutase, glutathione, and catalase and meanwhile decreases malondialdehyde. Macroanatomy study indicated a decrease in the numbers of adenoma and inflammatory signs in the treated group when compared with diseased group. Histopathology revealed that the presence of EEBO improved the colon histoarchitecture similar to normal and masked the crypt appearance. Decreased chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus numbers were observed in EEBO treated group. Overall, results suggest that the EEBO 400 mg/kg exhibited highest activity compared with 200 and 100 mg/kg and the effect may be attributed to its antigenotoxic or antioxidant effect.

Protective Effect of Blood Cora Polysaccharides on H9c2 Rat Heart Cells Injury Induced by Oxidative Stress by Activating Nrf2/HO-1 Signal Pathway

The protective effect of blood cora polysaccharides (BCP) on H9c2 rat heart cells under oxidative stress was explored with the use of a H9c2 cell oxidative stress model. The ability of BCP to scavenge 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and hydroxyl radicals and its reducing power were measured in vitro, indicating a more powerful antioxidant effect of BCP compared to a similar concentration of vitamin C. The cellular metabolic activity was tested through the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide] assay. Additionally, the relevant oxidation indicator level within the cell supernatant and cells was tested with reagent kits, and mRNA and protein expression levels in the cells were tested through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot. The chemical composition of BCP was determined through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results show that compared with the normal group, the model group's cell survival rate (28.75 ± 2.56%) decreased, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. The results of qPCR and western blot show that compared with the normal group, the model group's Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), caspase-3, nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, NAD(P)H:quinoneoxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and cytochrome c (Cyt C) decreased, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression was increased, with significant statistical differences. Compared with the model group, the cell survival rate for each BCP-treated group increased, the LDH leakage decreased, the SOD, CAT, and GSH levels in the cells increased, the MDA content decreased, the Bax, caspase-3, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and Cyt C expression was weakened, and the Bcl-2 expression was strengthened. BCP inhibited the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential caused by H2O2 treatment. According to the component analysis, BCP mainly consist of mannitol, ribose, glucosum anhydricum, galactose, and xylose. It was observed that the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway can be activated, regulated, and controlled by functional BCP to protect H9c2 cells injured by oxidative stress.

Prophylactic Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum YS4 on Oxazolone-Induced Colitis in BALB/c Mice

In the present research, the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum YS4 (LP-YS4) on colitis were tested in an oxazolone-induced mouse model. BALB/c mice were induced by oxazolone and then treated with LP-YS4. The serum levels of mice were analyzed using commercial kits and the protein and mRNA expression levels of mouse colon tissue were detected by Western blotting and qPCR assay, respectively. The results demonstrated that LP-YS4 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the colon length and ratio of colon weight/length in mice with colitis and attenuated the negative effects of colitis. The results also showed that treatment with LP-YS4 significantly reduced the serum concentrations of ET-1, SP, and IL-10 while significantly increasing those of SS, VIP, and IL-2 in colitis mice (P < 0.05). In addition, LP-YS4 significantly increased the activities of GSH and SOD while decreasing those of MPO and MDA in the colon tissue of colitis mice (P < 0.05). LP-YS4 also significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of c-Kit, eNOS, nNOSe, and SCF in colitis mice while significantly downregulating the relative expression of iNOS. In summary, LP-YS4 could reduce the negative effects of colitis, and such effects were better than those of the common probiotic Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

TNF-α inhibitor reduces drug-resistance to anti-PD-1: A mathematical model

Drug resistance is a primary obstacle in cancer treatment. In many patients who at first respond well to treatment, relapse occurs later on. Various mechanisms have been explored to explain drug resistance in specific cancers and for specific drugs. In this paper, we consider resistance to anti-PD-1, a drug that enhances the activity of anti-cancer T cells. Based on results in experimental melanoma, it is shown, by a mathematical model, that resistances to anti-PD-1 can be significantly reduced by combining it with anti-TNF-α. The model is used to simulate the efficacy of the combined therapy with different range of doses, different initial tumor volume, and different schedules. In particular, it is shown that under a course of treatment with 3-week cycles where each drug is injected in the first day of either week 1 or week 2, injecting anti-TNF-α one week after anti-PD-1 is the most effective schedule in reducing tumor volume.

Regulatory Effects of Stachyose on Colonic and Hepatic Inflammation, Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis, and Peripheral CD4+ T Cell Distribution Abnormality in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

A long-term high-fat diet (HFD) can cause a range of health problems. Gut microbiota plays a decisive role in the development of HFD-associated inflammation, involved in function of T cells. This study was designed to probe the regulative effects of dietary stachyose, a functional oligosaccharide, on HFD-induced weight gain, inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and T cell abnormality in C57Bl/6 mice. Mice were divided into three groups which received normal chow, HFD and HFD plus stachyose (400 mg/kg), respectively. Results showed that administration of stachyose diminished the HFD-induced upregulation of serum TNF-α level and elevation of peripheral blood leukocyte populations to alleviate the HFD-caused colonic and hepatic inflammation in mice. Analysis of gut microbiota revealed that stachyose improved the intestinal homeostasis of HFD-fed mice by improving the bacterial diversity with the increases in the relative abundances of the Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Parasutterella, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Anaerovorax, as well as the fecal level of butanoic acid, while decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes and the abundances of the Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Desulfovibrio, Anaerotruncus, Mucispirillum, Roseburia, and Odoribacter. Flow cytometric analysis showed that stachyose antagonized the HFD-induced decrease of peripheral CD4⁺ T cell population in mice. Conclusively, these findings suggest that long-term consumption of stachyose can ameliorate the HFD-associated colonic and hepatic inflammation and its complications by modulating gut microbiota.

Preventative effects of fermented Chimonobambusa quadrangularis shoot on activated carbon-induced constipation

The present study aimed to determine the preventative effects of fermented Chimonobambusa quadrangularis shoot (FCQS) on activated carbon constipation in Kun Ming mice. FCQS has a more loose fiber tissue structure than unfermented fresh C. quadrangularis shoot (CQS), which is preferable for relieving constipation. In mice fed with FCQS for 9 days the time from consumption to their first black stool defecation (117 min) was shorter than the control group (192 min) and the CQS group (148 min); however, it was longer than the normal (85 min) and bisacodyl treatment (99 min) groups. The gastrointestinal transit of the FCQS group (73.8%) was increased, as compared with the control (37.9%) and CQS (61.7%) groups; however, it was decreased as compared with the normal (100%) and bisacodyl (88.3%) groups. By observing the hemotoxylin and eosin-stained section of mice intestine, it was demonstrated that FCQS reduced injury to the intestinal tract resulting from constipation and alleviated the damage caused to the intestinal villi over the effects observed in the CQS group. Furthermore, FCQS was also able to increase the serum levels of motilin, endothelin-1, vasoactive intestinal peptide and acetylcholinesterase compared with the control group. c-Kit, stem cell factor (SCF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mRNA and protein expression levels in the small intestinal cells of FCQS-fed mice were increased, as compared with CQS-fed mice. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression levels of small intestinal cells of FCQS-fed mice were reduced, as compared with CQS-fed mice. These findings demonstrated that FCQS may induce improved preventative effects on constipation, compared with CQS.

Therapeutic Effect of Dendrobium candidum on Lupus Nephritis in Mice

CONTEXT

Dendrobium candidum (D. candimum) widely is a functional drug. The curative effect of D. candidum on lupus nephritis has been studied in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The DBA/2 and B6D2F1 mice were used for this in vivo experiment. The 50% effective dose (ED50) was used to check the effective concentration for this study. Then the SCr, BUN, TC, TG, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were determined by kits. The output of urine protein was determined by means of Coomassie Brilliant Blue, and the auto-antibody dsDNA was determined with titer plate technology and indirect immunofluorescence. The NF-κB, IκB-α, TGF 'β1, Fas, and FasL expressions were measured by RT-PCR and western blot assay. The component analysis of D. candidum was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance.

RESULTS

Based on the ED50 result at 329 mg/kg, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses were chosen for this study. SCr, BUN, TC and TG levels of 400 mg/kg D. candidum mice were lower than control mice, TP and ALB levels were higher than control mice. The control and 400 mg/kg treated mice tested positive for dsDNA at the end of sixth and tenth week after the experiment began. The glomerular number of 400 mg/kg treated mice was more than control group. Treatment with 400 mg/kg D. candidum reduced IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γcytokine levels as compared to control mice. D. candidum decreased NF-κb, TGF 'β1, Fas, FasL and increased IκB-α expressions in kidney tissue. There were 11 compounds in dry D. candidum, these compounds might make the curative effects of lupus nephritis.

CONCLUSION

D. candidum showed a potential curative effect on lupus nephritis. It could be used as a health medicine on lupus nephritis.

SUMMARY

D. candidum reduced the SCr, BUN, TC, TG serum levels and raised the TP, ALB levels compared to control group.The glomerular number of D. candidum treated mice was more than control group.D. candidum treated mice showed lower IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokine levels than control mice.D. candidum decreased NF-κb, TGF-β1, Fas, FasL and increased IκB-α expressions in kidney tissue. Abbreviations used: LN: Lupus nephritis, SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus, D. candidum: Dendrobium candidum; IL-6: interleukin-6, IL-12: interleukin-12, TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor alpha, IFN-γ: Interferon-gamma, SCr: serum creatinine, BUN: blood urea nitrogen, TC: total cholesterol, TG: triglyceride, TP: total protein, ALB: albumin.

Preventive effects of the polysaccharide of Larimichthys crocea swim bladder on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage

The aim of the present study was to determine the preventive effects of the polysaccharide of Larimichthys crocea swim bladder (PLCSB) on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in ICR mice. The in vitro preventive effects of PLCSB on CCl4-induced liver cytotoxic effect were evaluated in BRL 3A rat liver cells using the MTT assay. The serum levels of AST, ALT, and LDH in mice were determined using commercially available kits. The levels of IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were determined using ELISA kits. The pathological analysis of hepatic tissues was performed with H and E staining, and the gene and protein expressions were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. PLCSB (20 μg·mL(-1)) could increase the growth of BRL 3A rat liver cells treated with CCl4. The serum levels of AST, ALT, and LDH were significantly decreased when the mice were treated with two doses of PLCSB, compared with the control mice (P < 0.05). PLCSB-treated groups also showed reduced levels of the serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. PLCSB could decrease the liver weight, compared to the CCl4-treated control mice. The histopathology sections of liver tissues in the 100 mg·kg(-1) PLCSB group indicated that the animals were recovered well from CCl4 damage, but the 50 mg·kg(-1) PLCSB group showed necrosis to a more serious extent. The 100 mg·kg(-1) PLCSB group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB, iNOS, and COX-2, and increased expression of IκB-α compared with the CCl4-treated control group. In conclusion, PLCSB prevented from CCl4-induced hepatic damage in vivo.

Therapeutic effect of activated carbon-induced constipation mice with Lactobacillus fermentum Suo on treatment

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum Suo (LF-Suo) on activated carbon-induced constipation in ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice. ICR mice were orally administered with lactic acid bacteria for 9 days. Body weight, diet intake, drinking amount, defecation status, gastrointestinal transit and defecation time, and the serum levels of MTL (motilin), Gas (gastrin), ET (endothelin), SS (somatostatin), AChE (acetylcholinesterase), SP (substance P), VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) were used to evaluate the preventive effects of LF-Suo on constipation. Bisacodyl, a laxative drug, was used as a positive control. The normal, control, 100 mg/kg bisacodyl treatment, LB (Lactobacillus bulgaricus)-, LF-Suo (L)- and LF-Suo (H)-treated mice showed the time to the first black stool defecation at 90, 218, 117, 180, 155 and 137 min, respectively. By the oral administration of LB-, LF-Suo (L), LF-Suo (H) or bisacodyl (100 mg/kg), the gastrointestinal transit was reduced to 55.2%, 72.3%, 85.5% and 94.6%, respectively, of the transit in normal mice, respectively. In contrast to the control mice, the serum levels of MTL, Gas, ET, AChE, SP and VIP were significantly increased and the serum levels of SS were reduced in the mice treated with LF-Suo (p < 0.05). By the RT-PCR (reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction) and western blot assays, LF-Suo increased the c-Kit, SCF (stem cell factor), GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) and decreased TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1), NOS (nitric oxide synthase) expressions of small intestine tissue in mice. These results demonstrate that lactic acid bacteria has preventive effects on mouse constipation and LF-Suo demonstrated the best functional activity.

Preventive effects of Dendrobium candidum Wall ex Lindl. on the formation of lung metastases in BALB/c mice injected with 26-M3.1 colon carcinoma cells

Dendrobium candidum Wall ex Lindl. (D. candidum) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used in Asia. The present study has showed that D. candidum exerted an anti-metastatic effect in mice injected with 26-M3.1 colon carcinoma cells. D. candidum showed the most marked tumor inhibitory rate of 64.5% at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax in lung tissue of D. candidum-treated mice was shown to be higher as compared with control mice, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 showed the opposite trend. Decreased mRNA and protein expression of MMP and increased expression of TIMPs was demonstrated in lung tissues by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays. D. candidum reduced the serum cytokine levels of IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ to a greater extent as compared with the control mice, and administration of 400 mg/kg b.w. resulted in a lower serum cytokine levels as compared with mice treated with 200 mg/kg b.w. Eleven compounds were in the D. candidum leaf, of which the functional contents may help to generate novel treatments for the prevention of lung metastases. The results of the present study have demonstrated that D. candidum had a potent in vivo antitumor and anti-metastatic effect in BALB/c mice injected with 26-M3.1 cells.

Preventive Effect of Polysaccharide of Larimichthys crocea Swim Bladder on Reserpine Induced Gastric Ulcer in ICR Mice

This project's aim was to determine the reserpine-induced gastric ulcer preventive effect of polysaccharide of Larimichthys crocea swim bladder (PLCSB) in ICR mice. The anti-gastric ulcer effects of polysaccharide of Larimichthys crocea swim bladder was evaluated in mice model using morphological test, serum levels assay, cytokine levels assay, tissue contents analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and western bolt assay. High concentration (50 mg/kg dose) of PLCSB reduced IFN-γ as compared to low concentration (25 mg/kg dose) and control mice. SS and VIP serum levels of PLCSB treated mice were higher than those of control mice, and MOT and SP serum levels were lower than control mice. Gastric ulcer inhibitory index of PLCSB treatment groups mice were much lower than control mice, and the high concentration treated mice were similar to the ranitidine treated mice. The SOD and GSH-Px activities of PLCSB treated mice were higher than control mice, close to normal mice and ranitidine treated mice. PLCSB treated mice also showed the similar contents of NO and MDA to normal group. By RT-PCR and western blot assay, PLCSB significantly induced inflammation in tissues of mice by downregulating NF-κB, iNOS, and COX-2, and upregulating IκB-α. These results suggest that PLCSB showed a good gastric ulcer preventive effect as the gastric ulcer drug of ranitidine. Polysaccharide of Larimichthys crocea swim bladder may be used as a drug material from marine products.

Therapeutic effect of polysaccharide of large yellow croaker swim bladder on lupus nephritis of mice

The therapeutic effect of polysaccharide of large yellow croaker swim bladder (PLYCSB) on lupus nephritis has been studied in vivo. A high concentration (50 mg/kg dose) of PLYCSB reduced the levels of serum inflammatory cytokine levels of IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ compared to a low concentration (25 mg/kg dose) and control mice. SCr, BUN, TC and TG serum levels of PLYCSB treated mice were lower than those of control mice, and TP and ALB serum levels were higher than control mice. Control mice tested ds-DNA positive at the 6th week, and 50 mg/kg treated mice tested at the 10th week after the experiment began. The output of urine protein of 50 mg/kg PLYCSB treated mice was most closely comparable to the normal mice. The glomerular number of 50 mg/kg PLYCSB treated mice was more than the 25 mg/kg dose and control groups, and the 50 mg/kg dose group showed the lowest glomerular sclerosis index in lupus nephritis mice. By RT-PCR and western blot assay, PLYCSB significantly induced inflammation in kidney tissues of mice by downregulating NF-κB-p65, TGF-β1, Fas, FasL and upregulating IκB-α. These results suggest that PLYCSB showed a potential curative effect on lupus nephritis as a drug or functional food.