Effects of carfilzomib alone and in combination with cisplatin on the cell death in cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant ovarian carcinoma cell lines

BACKGROUND

Previous studies on the efficacy of platinum-based drugs and selective inhibitors of proteasome have revealed promising outcomes. This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of the combination of cisplatin and carfilzomib on the cell death induction and drug efflux transporters expression in cisplatin-sensitive (A2780s) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780cp) ovarian cancer cells lines.

METHODS

MTT cytotoxic assay was conducted to determine the cytotoxicity. Drug interactions were analyzed based on Chou-Talalay's principles and real-time PCR analysis was performed to determine possible alterations in mRNA levels of MRP1 and BCRP.

RESULTS

A2780s cells were more susceptible to both cisplatin and carfilzomib while analyses of drug interactions between the two agents showed synergistic effects in all affected fractions of drug-treated A2780s and A2780cp cells (CI<0.9) with the combination indices being significantly lower in A2780cp cells (p < 0.01). We also found that although mRNA levels of BCRP and MRP1 were significantly altered in both cells exposed to each drug alone, only the combination regimen was able to significantly reduce the mRNA levels of these genes in A2780cp cells (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This combination might be a potential strategy for suppressing cell growth via downregulating the drug efflux transporters expression, especially in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (Fig. 3, Ref. 45).

Regulatory effects of the novel synthesized Indole-3-carbaldehyde on expression of cell cycle genes: A study on Cyclin D and P21 expression by acute promylocytic leukemia cell line (NB4)

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Induction of apoptosis by pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) hull extract and its molecular mechanisms of action in human hepatoma cell line HepG2

Several important Pistacia species such as P. vera have been traditionally used for treating a wide range of diseases (for instance, liver-related disorders). There is a relative lack of research into pharmacological aspects of pistachio hull. Hence, this study was aimed at investigating whether pistachio rosy hull (PRH) extract exerts apoptotic impacts on HepG2 liver cancer cell line. In order to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis in response to treatment with the extract, MTT assay and Annexin-V-fluorescein/propidium iodide (PI) double staining were performed, respectively. Moreover, molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by the extract was determined using human apoptosis PCR array. Our findings showed that PRH extract treatment reduced cell viability (IC50 ~ 0.3 mg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the extract significantly induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. In addition, quantitative PCR array results demonstrated the regulation of a considerable number of apoptosis-related genes belonging to the TNF, BCL2, IAP, TRAF, and caspase families. We observed altered expression of both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes associated with the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathways. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of PRH possesses apoptotic activity through cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects on HepG2 cells.

Study of the effects of raw garlic consumption on the level of lipids and other blood biochemical factors in hyperlipidemic individuals

Hyperlipidemia is one of the famous disorders that can lead to atherosclerosis. Garlic has been considered as one of the blood lipids lowering agents for ages, and various studies have been carried out, some of them confirmed this effect of garlic and some did not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of raw garlic consumption on human blood biochemical factors in hyperlipidemic individuals. This clinical trial was conducted on 30 volunteer individuals with blood cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. The volunteers consumed 5 g raw garlic twice a day for 42 days. Second fasting blood samples were collected and the individuals did not use any kind of garlic for next 42 days. After that, the third fasting blood samples were collected and the biochemical factors were measured. After 42 days of garlic consumption the mean of blood total cholesterol (p<0.001) triglycerides (p<0.01) and FBS (p<0.01) were reduced significantly, but HDL-C was increased (p<0.001) significantly. Following 42 days of no garlic consumption total cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides and FBS (p<0.05) were significantly increased and HDL-C (p<0.01) decreased. Garlic consumption alone can decrease serum lipids, but it cannot be used as the main therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia. Garlic can be used in mild hyperlipidemia or when the patients cannot tolerate the chemical drugs.