Diallyl trisulfide induces apoptosis in human primary colorectal cancer cells

The potential role of hydrogen sulfide in cancer cell apoptosis

For a long time, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been considered a toxic compound, but recent studies have found that H2S is the third gaseous signaling molecule which plays a vital role in physiological and pathological conditions. Currently, a large number of studies have shown that H2S mediates apoptosis through multiple signaling pathways to participate in cancer occurrence and development, for example, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, the regulation of the production and metabolism of H2S to mediate the apoptotic process of cancer cells may improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment. In this review, the role and mechanism of H2S in cancer cell apoptosis in mammals are summarized.

KLF15 transcriptionally activates LINC00689 to inhibit colorectal cancer development

Colorectal cancer is a grievous health concern, we have proved long non-coding RNA LINC00689 is considered as a potential diagnosis biomarker for colorectal cancer, and it is necessary to further investigate its upstream and downstream mechanisms. Here, we show that KLF15, a transcription factor, exhibits the reduced expression in colorectal cancer. KLF15 suppresses the proliferative and metastatic capacities of colorectal cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo by transcriptionally activating LINC00689. Subsequently, LINC00689 recruits PTBP1 protein to enhance the stability of LATS2 mRNA in the cytoplasm. This stabilization causes the suppression of the YAP1/β-catenin pathway and its target downstream genes. Our findings highlight a regulatory network involving KLF15, LINC00689, PTBP1, LATS2, and the YAP1/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer therapy.

The Anticancer Effects of the Garlic Organosulfide Diallyl Trisulfide through the Attenuation of B[a]P-Induced Oxidative Stress, AhR Expression, and DNA Damage in Human Premalignant Breast Epithelial (MCF-10AT1) Cells

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is the most characterized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon associated with breast cancer. Our lab previously reported that the organosulfur compound (OSC), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), chemoprevention mechanism works through the induction of cell cycle arrest and a reduction in oxidative stress and DNA damage in normal breast epithelial cells. We hypothesize that DATS will inhibit B[a]P-induced cancer initiation in premalignant breast epithelial (MCF-10AT1) cells. In this study, we evaluated the ability of DATS to attenuate B[a]P-induced neoplastic transformation in MCF-10AT1 cells by measuring biological endpoints such as proliferation, clonogenicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) DNA damage levels, as well as DNA repair and antioxidant proteins. The results indicate that B[a]P induced proliferation, clonogenic formation, ROS formation, and 8-OHdG levels, as well as increasing AhR, ARNT/HIF-1β, and CYP1A1 protein expression compared with the control in MCF-10AT1 cells. B[a]P/DATS's co-treatment (CoTx) inhibited cell proliferation, clonogenic formation, ROS formation, AhR protein expression, and 8-OHdG levels compared with B[a]P alone and attenuated all the above-mentioned B[a]P-induced changes in protein expression, causing a chemopreventive effect. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that DATS prevents premalignant breast cells from undergoing B[a]P-induced neoplastic transformation, thus providing more evidence for its chemopreventive effects in breast cancer.

Potential antitumor activity of garlic against colorectal cancer: focus on the molecular mechanisms of action

PURPOSE

The aim of this review is to highlight the potential of garlic phytoconstituents as antitumor agents in colorectal cancer management based on their molecular mechanisms of action, while asking if their consumption, as part of the human diet, might contribute to the prevention of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

To gather information on appropriate in vitro, in vivo and human observational studies on this topic, the keywords "Allium sativum", "garlic", "colorectal cancer", "antitumor effect", "in vitro", "in vivo", "garlic consumption" and "colorectal cancer risk" were searched in different combinations in the international databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google Scholar. After duplicate and reviews removal, 61 research articles and meta-analyses published between 2000 and 2022 in peer-reviewed journals were found and included in this review.

RESULTS

Garlic (Allium sativum) proves to be a rich source of compounds with antitumor potential. Garlic-derived extracts and several of its individual constituents, especially organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, diallyl tetrasulfide, allylmethylsulfide, S-allylmercaptocysteine, Z-ajoene, thiacremonone and Se-methyl-L-selenocysteine were found to possess cytotoxic, cytostatic, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic activities in different in vitro and in vivo models of colorectal cancer. The molecular mechanisms for their antitumor effects are associated with the modulation of several well-known signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression, especially G1-S and G2-M transitions, as well as both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. However, even though in various animal models some of these compounds have chemopreventive effects, based on different human observational studies, a diet rich in garlic is not consistently associated with a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

Independent of the impact of garlic consumption on colorectal cancer initiation and promotion in humans, its constituents might be good candidates for future conventional and/or complementary therapies, based on their diverse mechanisms of action.

In Vitro Toxicity Studies of Bioactive Organosulfur Compounds from Allium spp. with Potential Application in the Agri-Food Industry: A Review

Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) are secondary metabolites produced by different Allium species which present important biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, antispasmodic, etc. In recent years, their use has been promoted in the agri-food industry as a substitute for synthetic preservatives, increasing potential accumulative exposure to consumers. Before their application in the food industry, it is necessary to pass a safety assessment as specified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This work reviews the scientific literature on OSCs regarding their in vitro toxicity evaluation following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Four electronic research databases were searched (Web of Science, Scopus, Science Database and PubMed) and a total of 43 works were selected according to predeterminate inclusion and exclusion criteria. Different data items and the risk of bias for each study were included. Currently, there are very few in vitro studies focused on investigating the potential toxicity of OSCs. Most research studies aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of OSCs to elucidate their antiproliferative effects focusing on their therapeutic aspects using cancer cell lines as the main experimental model. The results showed that diallyl disulfide (DADS) is the compound most studied, followed by diallyl trisulfide (DATS), diallyl sulfide (DAS), Allicin and Ajoene. Only 4 studies have been performed specifically to explore the safety of OSCs for agri-food applications, and genotoxicity studies are limited. More toxicity studies of OSCs are necessary to ensure consumers safety and should mainly be focused on the evaluation of genotoxicity and long-term toxicity effects.

Lipid-Based Nanoparticle Formulation of Diallyl Trisulfide Chemosensitizes the Growth Inhibitory Activity of Doxorubicin in Colorectal Cancer Model: A Novel In Vitro, In Vivo and In Silico Analysis

Garlic’s main bioactive organosulfur component, diallyl trisulfide (DATS), has been widely investigated in cancer models. However, DATS is not suitable for clinical use due to its low solubility. The current study seeks to improve DATS bioavailability and assess its chemopreventive and chemosensitizing properties in an AOM-induced colorectal cancer model. The polyethylene glycol coated Distearoylphosphatidylcholine/Cholesterol (DSPC/Chol) comprising DATS-loaded DATSL and doxorubicin (DOXO)-encapsulated DOXL liposomes was prepared and characterized. The changes in the sensitivity of DATS and DOXO by DATSL and DOXL were evaluated in RKO and HT-29 colon cancer cells. The synergistic effect of DATSL and DOXL was studied by cell proliferation assay in the combinations of IC₁₀, IC₂₅, and IC₃₅ of DATSL with the IC₁₀ of DOXL. AOM, DATSL, and DOXL were administered to different groups of mice for a period of 21 weeks. The data exhibited ~93% and ~46% entrapment efficiency of DATSL and DOXL, respectively. The size of sham liposomes was 110.5 nm, whereas DATSL and DOXL were 135.5 nm and 169 nm, respectively. DATSL and DOXL exhibited significant sensitivity in the cell proliferation experiment, lowering their IC₅₀ doses by more than 8- and 14-fold, respectively. However, the DATSL IC₁₀, IC₂₅, and IC₃₅ showed escalating chemosensitivity, and treated the cells in combination with DOXL IC₁₀. Analysis of histopathological, cancer marker enzymes, and antioxidant enzymes revealed that the high dose of DATSL pretreatment and DOXL chemotherapy is highly effective in inhibiting AOM-induced colon cancer promotion. The combination of DATSL and DOXL indicated promise as a colorectal cancer treatment in this study. Intermolecular interactions of DATS and DOXO against numerous cancer targets by molecular docking indicated MMP-9 as the most favourable target for DATS exhibiting binding energy of −4.6 kcal/mol. So far, this is the first research to demonstrate the chemopreventive as well as chemosensitizing potential of DATSL in an animal model of colorectal cancer.

Cancer Therapy Challenge: It Is Time to Look in the "St. Patrick's Well" of the Nature

Cancer still remains a leading cause of death despite improvements in diagnosis, drug discovery and therapy approach. Therefore, there is a strong need to improve methodologies as well as to increase the number of approaches available. Natural compounds of different origins (i.e., from fungi, plants, microbes, etc.) represent an interesting approach for fighting cancer. In particular, synergistic strategies may represent an intriguing approach, combining natural compounds with classic chemotherapeutic drugs to increase therapeutic efficacy and lower the required drug concentrations. In this review, we focus primarily on those natural compounds utilized in synergistic approached to treating cancer, with particular attention to those compounds that have gained the most research interest.

Isolation and Characterization of Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Stem-Like Cells Based on the Endogenous Expression of the Stem Markers

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells' (CSCs) self-maintenance is regulated via the pluripotency pathways promoting the most aggressive tumor phenotype. This study aimed to use the activity of these pathways for the CSCs' subpopulation enrichment and separating cells characterized by the OCT4 and SOX2 expression.

METHODS

To select and analyze CSCs, we used the SORE6x lentiviral reporter plasmid for viral transduction of colon adenocarcinoma cells. Additionally, we assessed cell chemoresistance, clonogenic, invasive and migratory activity and the data of mRNA-seq and intrinsic disorder predisposition protein analysis (IDPPA).

RESULTS

We obtained the line of CSC-like cells selected on the basis of the expression of the OCT4 and SOX2 stem cell factors. The enriched CSC-like subpopulation had increased chemoresistance as well as clonogenic and migration activities. The bioinformatic analysis of mRNA seq data identified the up-regulation of pluripotency, development, drug resistance and phototransduction pathways, and the downregulation of pathways related to proliferation, cell cycle, aging, and differentiation. IDPPA indicated that CSC-like cells are predisposed to increased intrinsic protein disorder.

CONCLUSION

The use of the SORE6x reporter construct for CSCs enrichment allows us to obtain CSC-like population that can be used as a model to search for the new prognostic factors and potential therapeutic targets for colon cancer treatment.

Garlic and its Active Compounds: A Potential Candidate in The Prevention of Cancer by Modulating Various Cell Signalling Pathways

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a multi-factorial disease including alterations in the cell signalling pathways. Currently, several drugs are in use to treat cancer but such drugs show negative side effects on normal cells and cause severe toxicity.

METHODS

The current research is mainly focused on medicinal plants with potential therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of cancer without any adverse effects on normal cells. In this regard, garlic and its active compounds including diallyl sulfide, diallyl trisulfide, ajoene, and allicin have been established to suppress the growth of cancer and killing of cancer cells.

RESULT

The review focuses on garlic and its active compounds chemopreventive effect through modulating various cell signalling pathways. Additionally, garlic and its active compound were established to induce cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and G2/M phases in cancer cells, increase the expression of tumor suppressor genes, inhibit the angiogenesis process, induction of apoptosis and modulation of various other genetic pathways.

CONCLUSION

This review sketches the diverse chemopreventive activities of garlic and their active ingredients in the management of cancer mainly focusing on cell signalling pathways.

Reversine induces caspase-dependent apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cells through extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

The 2-(4-morpholinoanilino)-6-cyclohexylaminopurine (reversine) acts as a chemopreventive agent and induces apoptotic cell death in various cancer cells. However, the anticancer effects of reversine on osteosarcoma cells are not clearly established.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of reversine on cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.

METHODS

Cell viability assay, histological analysis, DAPI staining, caspase activation analysis, flow cytometric analysis and immunoblotting were carried out in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells.

RESULTS

Reversine inhibited the growth of cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation. Reversine-treated cells showed caspase-3/7 activation and increased apoptosis versus control cells. FasL, a death ligand associated with extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways, was significantly up-regulated by reversine treatment. Moreover, the caspase-8, a part of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, was activated by reversine treatments. Expressions of anti-apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, components of the mitochondria dependent intrinsic apoptosis pathway, significantly decreased following reversine treatment. The expressions of pro-apoptotic factors such as BAX, BAD and caspase-9 increased by reversine treatments. In addition, reversine activated caspase-3 and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) to induce cell death. The Z-VAD-fmk significantly inhibited cell death through the suppression of caspase-3 expression in MG-63 cells treated with reversine.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the reversine may inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptotic cell death in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells through both the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway and the death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway, and may have potential properties for the discovery of anti-cancer agents.

Genistein induces apoptosis in vitro and has antitumor activity against human leukemia HL-60 cancer cell xenograft growth in vivo

Genistein, a major isoflavone compound in soybeans, has been shown to have biological activities including anti-cancer activates. In the present, we investigated the anti-leukemia activity of genistein on HL-60 cells in vitro. The percentage of viable cell, cell cycle distribution, apoptotic cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Ca²⁺ production and the level of ΔΨ_m were measured by flow cytometric assay. Cell apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress associated protein expressions were examined by Western blotting assay. Calpain 1, GRP78, and GADD153 expression were measured by confocal laser microscopy. Results indicated that genistein-induced cell morphological changes, decreased the total viable cells, induced G₂ /M phase arrest and DNA damage and fragmentation (cell apoptosis) in HL-60 cells. Genistein promoted ROS and Ca²⁺ productions and decreased the level of ΔΨ_m in HL-60 cells. Western blotting assay demonstrated that genistein increased ER stress-associated protein expression such as IRE-1α, Calpain 1, GRP78, GADD153, caspase-7, caspase-4, and ATF-6α at 20-50 μM treatment and increased apoptosis associated protein expression such as pro-apoptotic protein Bax, PARP-cleavage, caspase-9, and -3, but decreased anti-apoptotic protein such as Bcl-2 and Bid in HL-60 cells. Calpain 1, GRP78, and GADD153 were increased in HL-60 cells after exposure to 40 μM of genistein. In animal xenografted model, mice were intraperitoneally injected with genistein (0, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg) for 28 days and the body weight and tumor volume were recorded. Results showed that genistein did not affect the body weights but significantly reduced the tumor weight in 0.4 mg/kg genistein-treated group. Genistein also increased the expressions of ATF-6α, GRP78, Bax, Bad, and Bak in tumor. In conclusion, genistein decreased cell number through G₂ /M phase arrest and the induction of cell apoptosis through ER stress- and mitochondria-dependent pathways in HL-60 cells and suppressed tumor properties in vivo.

JPH203, a selective L-type amino acid transporter 1 inhibitor, induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in Saos2 human osteosarcoma cells

Most normal cells express L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2). However, L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is highly expressed in many tumor cells and presumed to support their increased growth and proliferation. This study examined the effects of JPH203, a selective LAT1 inhibitor, on cell growth and its mechanism for cell death in Saos2 human osteosarcoma cells. FOB human osteoblastic cells and Saos2 cells expressed LAT1 and LAT2 together with their associating protein 4F2 heavy chain, but the expression of LAT2 in the Saos2 cells was especially weak. JPH203 and BCH, a non-selective L-type amino acid transporter inhibitor, potently inhibited L-leucine uptake in Saos2 cells. As expected, the intrinsic ability of JPH203 to inhibit L-leucine uptake was far more efficient than that of BCH in Saos2 cells. Likewise, JPH203 and BCH inhibited Saos2 cell growth with JPH203 being superior to BCH in this regard. Furthermore, JPH203 increased apoptosis rates and formed DNA ladder in Saos2 cells. Moreover, JPH203 activated the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway by upregulating pro-apoptotic factors, such as Bad, Bax, and Bak, and the active form of caspase-9, and downregulating anti-apoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. These results suggest that the inhibition of LAT1 activity via JPH203, which may act as a potential novel anti-cancer agent, leads to apoptosis mediated by the mitochondria-dependent intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway by inducing the intracellular depletion of neutral amino acids essential for cell growth in Saos2 human osteosarcoma cells.

Dietary Bioactive Diallyl Trisulfide in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Bioactive dietary agents have been shown to regulate multiple cancer hallmark pathways. Epidemiologic studies have linked consumption of Allium vegetables, such as garlic and onions, to decreased incidence of cancer. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a bioactive compound derived from Allium vegetables, has been investigated as an anti-cancer and chemopreventive agent. Preclinical studies provide ample evidence that DATS regulates multiple cancer hallmark pathways including cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. DATS has been shown to arrest cancer cells at multiple stages of the cell cycle with the G2/M arrest being the most widely reported. Additionally, increased pro-apoptotic capacity as a result of regulating intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathway components has been widely reported following DATS treatment. Invasion, migration, and angiogenesis represent emerging targets of DATS and support its anti-cancer properties. This review summarizes DATS mechanisms of action as an anti-cancer and chemopreventive agent. These studies provide rationale for future investigation into its use as a cancer chemopreventive agent.

Crude extract of Rheum palmatum L. Induces cell cycle arrest S phase and apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathways in U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells

Cancer is the second cause of death in children. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of solid bone cancer primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. In the Chinese population, the crude extract of Rheum palmatum L. (CERP) has been used for treating different diseases, including SARS, rheumatoid arthritis, coxsackievirus B3, and human colon cancer cell, pancreatic cancer. There are no reports on CERP and human osteosarcoma cells. The present study examined effects of CERP on cytotoxicity including cell cycle distribution and cell death (apoptosis) in U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells. CERP significantly induced S phase arrest in U-2 OS cells in a dose-dependent. CERP produced DNA damage and DNA condensation. Other effects of CERP were stimulation of ROS and Ca(2+) , mitochondria impairment, and activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9. CERP increased the levels of Bax, Bak, Bad, cyclin B, Fas, PARP, GRP78, GADD153, AIF, Endo G, Calpain-2, p21, and p27, but decreased the levels of Bcl-2, BCL-X, XIAP, Akt, CDC25A, CDK2, Cyclin A, and Cyclin E of U-2 OS cells. It was also observed that CERP promoted the expression of AIF, Endo G, GADD153, and cytochrome c. These results indicate that CERP has anticancer effects in vitro and provide the foundation for in vivo studies of animal models of osteosarcoma. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 957-969, 2016.

Primary cultures of human colon cancer as a model to study cancer stem cells

The principal cause of death in cancer involves tumor progression and metastasis. Since only a small proportion of the primary tumor cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are the most aggressive, have the capacity to metastasize and display properties of stem cells, it is imperative to characterize the gene expression of diagnostic markers and to evaluate the drug sensitivity in the CSCs themselves. Here, we have examined the key genes that are involved in the progression of colorectal cancer and are expressed in cancer stem cells. Primary cultures of colorectal cancer cells from a patient's tumors were studied using the flow cytometry and cytological methods. We have evaluated the clinical and stem cell marker expression in these cells, their resistance to 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan, and the ability of cells to form tumors in mice. The data shows the role of stem cell marker Oct4 in the resistance of primary colorectal cancer tumor cells to 5-fluorouracil.

Amelioration of ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats by diallylsulfide

Garlic contains diallylsulfide (DAS) and other structurally related compounds that are widely believed to be active agents in preventing cancer. This study shows the effect of DAS (a phenolic antioxidant used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products) on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 125-150 g were given a single dose of Fe-NTA (9 mg kg(-1) body weight, intraperitoneally) after 1 week of treatment with 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) DAS in corn oil respectively administered through the gavage. Fe-NTA administration led to 2.5-fold increase in the values of both alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase, respectively, and 3.2-fold increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, microsomal lipid peroxidation to approximately 2.0-fold compared to saline-treated control. The activities of glutathione (GSH) and other antioxidant enzymes decreased to a range of 2.2-2.5-fold. These changes were reversed significantly (p < 0.001) in animals receiving a pretreatment of DAS. DAS protected against hepatic lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide generation, preserved GSH levels, and GSH metabolizing enzymes to 60-80% as compared to Fe-NTA alone-treated group. Present data suggest that DAS can ameliorate the toxic effects of Fe-NTA and suppress oxidant-induced tissue injury and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Effect of diallyl trisulfide on human ovarian cancer SKOV- 3/DDP cell apoptosis

AIM

To investigate the effects of diallyl trisulfide (DT) on apoptosis of cisplatin (DDP)-resistant human epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells (SKOV-3/DDP), and the role of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA).

METHODS

SKOV-3/DDP cells were randomly divided into control, DT, DPP and DPP+DT groups, which were treated with DT or combined DT and DDP. All cells were incubated for 48 h. and apoptosis rates were assessed by flow cytometry. mRNA and protein expression of PUMA, Bax and Bcl-2 was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot assays, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with control group, the apoptosis rates of SKOV-3/DDP cells in DT groups were obviously increased, with dose-dependence (P < 0.05), the mRNA and protein expressions of PUMA, Bax also being up-regulated (P < 0.05), while those of Bcl-2 were down-regulated (P < 0.05). Compared with DT groups, the apoptosis rate in the DDP+DT group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). After knockdown of PUMA with specific siRNA, the apoptosis rate of SKOV-3/DDP cells was obviously decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

DT can promote the apoptosis of SKOV-3/DDP cells with PUMA playing a critical role.

Loss-of-function mutations in WDR73 are responsible for microcephaly and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: Galloway-Mowat syndrome

Galloway-Mowat syndrome is a rare autosomal-recessive condition characterized by nephrotic syndrome associated with microcephaly and neurological impairment. Through a combination of autozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing, we identified WDR73 as a gene in which mutations cause Galloway-Mowat syndrome in two unrelated families. WDR73 encodes a WD40-repeat-containing protein of unknown function. Here, we show that WDR73 was present in the brain and kidney and was located diffusely in the cytoplasm during interphase but relocalized to spindle poles and astral microtubules during mitosis. Fibroblasts from one affected child and WDR73-depleted podocytes displayed abnormal nuclear morphology, low cell viability, and alterations of the microtubule network. These data suggest that WDR73 plays a crucial role in the maintenance of cell architecture and cell survival. Altogether, WDR73 mutations cause Galloway-Mowat syndrome in a particular subset of individuals presenting with late-onset nephrotic syndrome, postnatal microcephaly, severe intellectual disability, and homogenous brain MRI features. WDR73 is another example of a gene involved in a disease affecting both the kidney glomerulus and the CNS.

Allium vegetables and garlic supplements do not reduce risk of colorectal cancer, based on meta-analysis of prospective studies

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Laboratory studies have provided evidence that allium vegetables and garlic supplements might protect against colorectal cancer (CRC), but epidemiologic studies have produced inconsistent findings.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies evaluating the associations between allium vegetables, garlic supplements, and CRC risk. We pooled effect measures using fixed- or random-effect models, assessing the highest vs the lowest intakes. We used a dose-response regression model to evaluate the relationship between allium vegetable intake and CRC risk.

RESULTS

Our analysis included 8 studies with 20 reports of the effects of allium vegetables (5458 patients with CRC including 7,125,067 person-years) and 5 studies with 11 reports of the effects of garlic supplements (2685 patients with CRC including 2,304,439 person-years). We found no association between higher intake of allium vegetables and CRC risk (relative risk [RR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-1.17; P = .26). Intake of allium vegetables did not correspond to CRC risk (P for nonlinear = .24, P for linear = .20). In subgroup analysis, a higher consumption of allium vegetables was associated marginally with increased risk of colon cancer among women (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01-1.50; P = .05). Use of garlic supplements was associated significantly with an increased risk of CRC (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

In a meta-analysis, we found no evidence that higher intake of allium vegetables reduced the risk for CRC. We observed that garlic supplements increased the risk for CRC, but this finding requires external validation.

The crude extract of Corni Fructus induces apoptotic cell death through reactive oxygen species-modulated pathways in U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells

Crude extract of Corni Fructus (CECF) has been used in Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of different diseases for hundreds of years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of CECF on U-2 OS human osteosarcoma cells. Flow cytometry was used for measuring the percentage of viable cells, cell-cycle distribution, apoptotic cells in sub-G1 phase, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca(2+) levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ). Comet assay and 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining were used for examining DNA damage and condensation. Western blotting was used to examine apoptosis-associated protein levels in U-2 OS cells after exposed to CECF. Immunostaining and confocal laser system microscope were used to examine protein translocation after CECF incubation. CECF decreased the percentage of viability, induced DNA damage and DNA condensation, G₀/G₁ arrest, and apoptosis in U-2 OS cells. CECF-stimulated activities of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3, ROS, and Ca(2+) production, decreased ΔΨm levels of in U-2 OS cells. CECF increased protein levels of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, cytochrome c, GRP78, AIF, ATF-6α, Fas, TRAIL, p21, p27, and p16 which were associated with cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. These findings suggest that CECF triggers apoptosis in U-2 OS cells via ROS-modulated caspase-dependent and -independent pathways.

Diallyl trisulfide induces apoptosis in Jurkat cells by the modification of cysteine residues in thioredoxin

We reported the regulation of protein function by oxidative modification of the specific cysteine residue(s) by diallyl trisulfide (DATS). In this study, we examined if DATS modifies the cysteine residue of thioredoxin (Trx) by urea-polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis. DATS modified two specific cysteine residues in Trx and this oxidative modification of cysteine residues would be sole causative of the apoptosis induced by DATS in leukemic cells.

Induction of apoptosis by diphenyldifluoroketone in osteogenic sarcoma cells is associated with activation of caspases

The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the effects of diferuloylmethane (curcumin) and diphenyldifluoroketone (EF-24) on cell growth and apoptosis induction in human osteogenic sarcoma cells. This was examined by MTT assay, nuclear DAPI staining, caspase-activation assay, flow cytometry analysis and immunoblotting in Saos2 human osteogenic sarcoma cells. Curcumin and EF-24 inhibited the growth of Saos2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The apparent potency of EF-24 was more than 3-fold higher that of curcumin. Treatment with curcumin or EF-24 resulted in nuclear condensation and fragmentation in the cells. The caspase-3/-7 activities were detected in living cells treated with curcumin or EF-24. Flow cytometry showed that the rate of apoptosis was increased by curcumin and EF-24 compared to the control. Curcumin and EF-24 promoted the proteolytic cleavages of procaspase-3/-7/-8/-9 with increases in the amount of cleaved caspase-3/-7/-8/-9. The curcumin- or EF-24-induced apoptosis in the Saos2 cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting revealed the Bid and Bcl-2 proteins to be downregulated, and truncated-Bid, Bax and p53 proteins to be upregulated by curcumin and EF-24. Curcumin and EF-24 increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio significantly. These results suggest that the curcumin and EF-24 inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptotic cell death in Saos2 human osteogenic sarcoma cells via both the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway and the death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway, and may have potential properties for anti-osteosarcoma drug discovery.

Diallyl sulphide, a component of garlic, abrogates ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced oxidative stress and renal damage in rats

Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induces tissue necrosis as a result of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidative damage that leads to high incidence of renal carcinomas. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of diallyl sulphide (DAS) against Fe-NTA-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 30 healthy male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each: (1) control, (2) DAS (200 mg kg−1), (3) Fe-NTA (9 g Fe kg−1), (4) DAS (100 mg kg−1) + Fe-NTA (9 mg Fe kg−1) and (5) DAS (200 mg kg−1) + Fe-NTA (9 mg Fe kg−1). Fe-NTA + DAS-treated groups were given DAS for a period of 1 week before Fe-NTA administration. The intraperitoneal administration of Fe-NTA enhanced blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels with reduction in levels of antioxidant enzymes. However, significant restoration of depleted renal glutathione and its dependent enzymes (glutathione reductase and glutathione- S-transferase) was observed in DAS pretreated groups. DAS also attenuated Fe-NTA-induced increase in LPO, hydrogen peroxide generation and protein carbonyl formation ( p < 0.05). The results indicate that DAS may be beneficial in ameliorating the Fe-NTA-induced renal oxidative damage in rats.