Effect of lycopene on cell viability and cell cycle progression in human cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Lycopene, a major carotenoid component of tomato, has a potential anticancer activity in many types of cancer. Epidemiological and clinical trials rarely provide evidence for mechanisms of the compound's action, and studies on its effect on cancer of different cell origins are now being done. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of lycopene on cell cycle and cell viability in eight human cancer cell lines.

METHODS

Human cell lines were treated with lycopene (1-5 μM) for 48 and 96 h. Cell viability was monitored using the method of MTT. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, and apoptotic cells were identified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick labeling (TUNEL) and by DAPI.

RESULTS

Our data showed a significant decrease in the number of viable cells in three cancer cells lines (HT-29, T84 and MCF-7) after 48 h treatment with lycopene, and changes in the fraction of cells retained in different cell cycle phases. Lycopene promoted also cell cycle arrest followed by decreased cell viability in majority of cell lines after 96 h, as compared to controls. Furthermore, an increase in apoptosis was observed in four cell lines (T-84, HT-29, MCF-7 and DU145) when cells were treated with lycopene.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show the capacity of lycopene to inhibit cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle in different phases and increase apoptosis, mainly in breast, colon and prostate lines after 96 h. These observations suggest that lycopene may alter cell cycle regulatory proteins depending on the type of cancer and the dose of lycopene administration. Taken together, these data indicated that the antiproliferative effect of lycopene was cellular type, time and dose-dependent.

Kinetics of mobilization and differentiation of lymphohematopoietic cells during experimental murine schistosomiasis in galectin-3−/−mice

Galectin-3 (gal-3), a beta-galactoside-binding animal lectin, plays a role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Extracellular gal-3 modulates cell migration and adhesion in several physiological and pathological processes. Gal-3 is highly expressed in activated macrophages. Schistosoma mansoni eggs display a large amount of gal-3 ligands on their surface and elicit a well-characterized, macrophage-dependent, granulomatous, inflammatory reaction. Here, we have investigated the acute and chronic phases of S. mansoni infection in wild-type and gal-3(-/-) mice. In the absence of gal-3, chronic-phase granulomas were smaller in diameter, displaying thinner collagen fibers with a loose orientation. Schistosoma-infected gal-3(-/-) mice had remarkable changes in the monocyte/macrophage, eosinophil, and B lymphocyte subpopulations as compared with the infected wild-type mice. We observed a reduction of macrophage number, an increase in eosinophil absolute number, and a decrease in B lymphocyte subpopulation (B220(+/high) cells) in the periphery during the evolution of the disease in gal-3(-/-) mice. B lymphopenia was followed by an increase of plasma cell number in bone marrow, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes of the infected gal-3(-/-) mice. The plasma IgG and IgE levels also increased in these mice. Gal-3 plays a role in the organization, collagen distribution, and mobilization of inflammatory cells to chronic-phase granulomas, niches for extramedullary myelopoiesis, besides interfering with monocyte-to-macrophage and B cell-to-plasma cell differentiation.

Triglyceride hydrolysis of soy oil vs fish oil emulsions

BACKGROUND

Fish oil triglycerides (TG) are being considered for use in IV lipid emulsions, but the characteristics of their lipase-mediated clearance from plasma are largely unknown.

METHODS

We compared the in vitro hydrolysis of soy oil long-chain triglyceride emulsions (LCT) and fish oil emulsions (omega-3) using lipoprotein (LPL) and hepatic (HL) lipases, omega-3 emulsions contained 18% and 28% of total TG fatty acid as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), respectively.

RESULTS

Under conditions of maximal hydrolysis, total free fatty acid (FFA) release was two- to threefold greater with LCT compared with omega-3 emulsions. Also, EPA and DHA together contributed proportionally much less than other fatty acids (< 20%) to FFA released from omega-3 emulsions. In mixtures of LCT emulsion with omega-3 emulsions, the presence of > 20% of omega-3 particles substantially inhibited LCT emulsion hydrolysis (by up to 50%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that, during infusion of omega-3 emulsions, EPA and DHA may enter cells as TG or partial glycerides within emulsion particles and not as FFA and that coinfusion of omega-3 emulsion with LCT emulsion at low omega-3:LCT emulsion ratios (up to 20% of total triglyceride as omega-3) will not substantially inhibit LCT hydrolysis.

Outcomes of obese children and adolescents enrolled in a multidisciplinary health program

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary program on children and adolescents' weight control.

DESIGN

Retrospective study regarding changes in relative weight of all patients treated regularly in an out-patient care public service between January 1992 and December 1993.

SUBJECTS

198 children and adolescents (108 girls and 90 boys; mean age: 9.25y; mean body mass index (BMI): 24.26 kg/m2, range 19.1-40.31).

MEASUREMENTS

Anthropometric data collected at the visits were obtained until June 30 1994. BMI compared to reference data was used. Dual Photon X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) was used for 64 patients, to determine percent body fat.

RESULTS

Relative weight at the last visit was significantly lower when compared with initial relative weight for the whole sample. Significantly better outcome of relative weight was obtained when six or more visits occurred for the whole sample, and for girls when the days' interval between visits was shorter than 52 d. Variables such as percent body fat, body shape at the first visit, family obesity pattern, length of obesity and pubertal stage, did not significantly influence the outcome of relative weight for the subjects during the treatment.

CONCLUSION

Results obtained indicated that good outcomes can be obtained in a program using nutrition education focused on small modifications of eating habits in order to avoid excess energy intake. The best predictors of weight improvement for children and adolescents participating in the program were the higher frequency of visits and shorter intervals between them.

Influence of lycopene on cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis of human prostate cancer and benign hyperplastic cells

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men of the Western world. Lycopene has received attention because of its expcted potential to prevent cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of lycopene on cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells and benign prostate hyperplastic cells. Using MTT assay, we observed a decrease of cell viability in all cancer cell lines after treatment with lycopene, which decreased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase and increased in S and G2/M phases after 96 h of treatment in metastatic prostate cancer cell lineages. Flow citometry analysis of cell cycle revealed lycopene promoted cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase after 48 and 96 h of treatment in a primary cancer cell line. Using real time PCR assay, lycopene also induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells with altered gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2. No effect was observed in benign prostate hyperplasia cells. These results suggest an effect of lycopene on activity of human prostate cancer cells.

The deficiency of galectin-3 in stromal cells leads to enhanced tumor growth and bone marrow metastasis

Background

Galectin-3 is a multifunctional β-galactoside-binding lectin that once synthesized, is expressed in the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell surface and in the extracellular environment. Because of its unique structure, galectin-3 can oligomerize forming lattice upon binding to multivalent oligossacharides and influence several pathologic events such as tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis.

Methods

In our study, balb/c Lgals3+/+ and Lgals3−/− female mice were inoculated in the fourth mammary fat pad with 4T1 breast cancer cell line. The primary tumor, inguinal lymph nodes and iliac bone marrow were evaluated 15, 21 and 28 days post-injection. The primary tumor growth was evaluated by measuring the external diameter, internal growth by ultrasound and weight of the excised tumor. The presence of cancer cells in the draining lymph nodes and iliac crest bone marrow were performed by immunohistochemistry, PCR and clonogenic metastatic assay.

Results

In this study we demonstrated that the deletion of galectin-3 in the host affected drastically the in vivo growth rate of 4T1 tumors. The primary tumors in Lgals3−/− mice displayed a higher proliferative rate (p < 0,05), an increased necrotic area (p < 0,01) and new blood vessels with a wider lumen in comparison with tumors from Lgals3+/+ mice (P < 0,05). Moreover, we detected a higher number of 4T1-derived metastatic colonies in the lymph nodes and the bone marrow of Lgals3−/− mice (p < 0,05). Additionally, healthy Lgals3−/− control mice presented an altered spatial distribution of CXCL12 in the bone marrow, which may explain at least in part the initial colonization of this organ in Lgals3−/− injected with 4T1 cells.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that the absence of galectin-3 in the host microenvironment favors the growth of the primary tumors, the metastatic spread to the inguinal lymph nodes and bone marrow colonization by metastatic 4T1 tumor cells.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2679-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The bone marrow compartment is modified in the absence of galectin-3

Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a β-galactoside binding protein present in multivalent complexes with an extracellular matrix and with cell surface glycoconjugates. In this context, it can deliver a variety of intracellular signals to modulate cell activation, differentiation and survival. In the hematopoietic system, it was demonstrated that gal-3 is expressed in myeloid cells and surrounding stromal cells. Furthermore, exogenous and surface gal-3 drive the proliferation of myeloblasts in a granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-dependent manner. Here, we investigated whether gal-3 regulates the formation of myeloid bone marrow compartments by studying galectin-3^−/− mice (gal-3^−/−) in the C57BL/6 background. The bone marrow histology of gal-3^−/− mice was significantly modified and the myeloid compartments drastically disturbed, in comparison with wild-type (WT) animals. In the absence of gal-3, we found reduced cell density and diaphyseal disorders containing increased trabecular projections into the marrow cavity. Moreover, myeloid cells presented limited capacity to differentiate into mature myeloid cell populations in gal-3^−/− mice and the number of hematopoietic multipotent progenitors was increased relative to WT animals. In addition, bone marrow stromal cells of these mice had reduced levels of GM-CSF gene expression. Taken together, our data suggest that gal-3 interferes with hematopoiesis, controlling both precursors and stromal cells and favors terminal differentiation of myeloid progenitors rather than proliferation.

Lycopene inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and modulates cellular lipid storage and signaling

Hepatic stellate cells are liver-specific perivascular cells, identified as the major source of collagen in liver fibrosis, following their activation and conversion to myofibroblast-like cells. Lycopene is a carotenoid with biological activities and protective effects described in different pathologies, but little is known about its role in liver protection. We evaluated the influence of lycopene on the cell cycle and lipid metabolism and monitored the possible pathways involved in lycopene inhibition of stellate cell activation. Lycopene induced expression of the lipocyte phenotype, with an accumulation of fat droplets in cytoplasm, with high synthesis and turnover of phospholipids and triglycerides. Cell proliferation analysis showed that lycopene reduced the growth of GRX cells. Lycopene induced an arrest in the G0/G1 phase, followed by a decrease of cells in the G2/M phase, regardless of the concentration of lycopene used. Lycopene modulated relevant signaling pathways related to cholesterol metabolism, cellular proliferation, and lipid metabolism. Also, lycopene treatment increased the expression of RXR-α, RXR-β, and PPARγ, important biomarkers of liver regeneration. These results show that lycopene was able to negatively modulate events related to the activation of hepatic stellate cells through mechanisms that involve changes in expression of cellular lipid metabolism factors, and suggest that this compound might provide a novel pharmacological approach for the prevention and treatment of fibrotic liver diseases.

[Intrauterine energetic malnutrition in rats: muscle skeletal changes in the 1st and 2nd generations]

OBJECTIVE: To study by histochemical analysis the skeletal muscle in malnourished newborn rats submitted to intrauterine malnutrition. METHODS: 90 days old female, Wistar EPM-1 rats, with 200 -/+ 20g body weight, malnourished during the gestation period were studied. At the 21th day of gestation, muscular biopsy was performed in the biceps bracchi of the newborns, obtained by cesarean (1st generation). One group of newborn intrauterine malnourished rats had nutritional recovery after birth by staying six/lactating rat and by free feeding up to the 90th day of life, when the females became pregnant and their offspring formed the 2nd generation. RESULTS: Weight gain during gestation and body weight of the newborn were significantly different when each malnourished group was compared to its respective control. The muscular biopsies of the malnourished newborns presented tissue involvement, characterized by loss of predominance of type II fibres, low oxidative activity, lessening of muscular fiber diameter, proliferation of intersticial tissue, and edema. In the 2nd generation, the newborns presented adequate body weight, but maintained muscular tissue involvement, with lessening of predominance of type II fibers, reduction of muscular fiber diameter, low oxidative activity, increase of intersticial space, necrosis, but without edema. CONCLUSION: The energetic malnutrition affects the skeletal muscle at birth, when it occurs during miogenesis, in both 1st and 2nd generation, maintaining permanent or temporary lesions in the muscular tissue.

IgE expression on the surface of B1 and B2 lymphocytes in experimental murine schistosomiasis

In a previous study we monitored the distribution and phenotype expression of B1 cells during the evolution of experimental murine schistosomiasis mansoni and we proposed that the B1 cells were heterogeneous: a fraction which originated in the spleen and followed the migratory pathway to mesenteric ganglia, while the other was the resident peritoneal B1-cell pool. In the present study, we have addressed the question of whether these two B1-lymphocyte populations are involved in the production of the late Ig isotype IgE, which is present in high levels in schistosomal infection. Lymphocyte expression of surface markers and immunoglobulins were monitored by immunofluorescence flow cytometry. Both in the spleen and mesenteric ganglia, the B1 and B2 cells were induced to switch from IgM to IgE in the early Th2-dominated phase of the disease, with an increase of IgE in its later phases. Conversely, peritoneal B1-IgM+ switched to the remaining IgE+ present in high numbers in the peritoneal cavity throughout the disease. We correlated the efficient induction of the expression of late Ig isotypes by B1 cells with high levels of inflammatory cytokines due to the intense host response to the presence of worms and their eggs in the abdominal cavity. In conclusion, B1 cells have a different switch behavior from IgM to IgE indicating that these cell sub-populations depend on the microenvironment.

Peritoneal Submesothelial Stromal Cells Support Hematopoiesis and Differentiate into Osteogenic and Adipogenic Cell Lineages

The peritoneum is a thin membrane that covers most of the abdominal organs, composed of a monolayer of mesothelial cells and subjacent submesothelial loose connective tissue. Cells from the peritoneal wall are correlated with peritoneal fibrosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. However, the distinct involvement of mesothelial or submesothelial cells in such phenomena is still not clear. Here, we propose a new strategy to obtain stromal cells from anterior peritoneal wall explant cultures. These cells migrated from peritoneal tissues and proliferated in vitro for 4 weeks as adherent fibroblast-like cells. Optical and electronic microscopy analyses of the fragments revealed a significant submesothelial disorganization. The obtained cells were characterized as cytokeratin- vimentin+ laminin+ α-smooth muscle actin+, suggesting a connective tissue origin. Moreover, at the third passage, these stromal cells were CD90+CD73+CD29+Flk-1+CD45-, a phenotype normally attributed to cells of mesenchymal origin. These cells were able to support hematopoiesis, expressing genes involved in myelopoiesis (SCF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-7 and CXCL-12), and differentiated into osteogenic and adipogenic cell lineages. The methodology demonstrated in this work can be considered an excellent experimental model to understand the physiology of the peritoneal wall in healthy and pathological processes. Moreover, this work shows for the first time that submesothelial stromal cells have properties similar to those of mesenchymal cells from other origins.

Pattern of inflammatory response to Loxosceles intermedia venom in distinct mouse strains: a key element to understand skin lesions and dermonecrosis by poisoning

Envenomation caused by spiders Loxosceles induce intense dermonecrosis at the bite site and systemic disease. In this work we described the hyaluronidase and collagenase activities in vitro of the Loxosceles intermedia venom, but no phospholipase A2 activity. In vivo, we evaluated the effect of L. intermedia venom used different strain of mice, C57BL/6, BALB/c and Swiss. All mice developed paw edema after venom injection, persistent for 24 h in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Histopathological analysis of the skin after venom injection revealed vascular congestion in Swiss mice and an inflammatory reaction in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. The mobilization of inflammatory cells from bone marrow, spleen and blood was investigated. Typical innate immune response with mobilization of myeloid cells and cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes was observed in C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, typical acquired/humoral immune response was observed in BALB/c mice, with preferential involvement of conventional B lymphocytes and CD4 T helper cells. The skin inflammation associated to mobilization of inflammatory cells indicated that mice models are strongly recommended to investigate specific cell types involved with immune response to the envenomation and mechanisms to inhibit skin lesions.

(1S,2R,6R,7aS)-1,2,6-Trihy-droxy-hexa-hydro-1H-pyrrolizin-3-one

In the title compound, C₇H₁₁NO₄, prepared via a Morita–Baylis–Hillman adduct, the five-membered ring bearing three O atoms approximates to a twisted conformation, whereas the other ring is close to an envelope, with a C atom in the flap position. The dihedral angle between their mean planes (all atoms) is 23.11 (9)°. The new stereocenters are created in a trans-diaxial configuration. In the crystal, O—H⋯O and O—H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules, generating a three-dimensional network. A weak C—H⋯O inter­action also occurs.

(1S,2S,6R,7aR)-2-Benzyl-1,6-dihy-droxy-hexa-hydro-pyrrolizin-3-one

In the title compound, C₁₄H₁₇NO₃, the dihedral angles show that the H atoms at two stereocenters are in a trans-diaxial configuration. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The absolute configuration of the molecule has been established on the basis of refinement of the Hooft and Flack parameters.

Genetic diversity of yacon accessions using ISSR markers

Yacon cultivation has been intensified and the investigations of this crop have increased at the scientific, agricultural, and social levels because the roots of yacon show beneficial properties for human health, such as reducing cholesterol and glucose blood levels. Since the investigations involving yacon are very recent, there is little information available in terms of the genetic characterization of the cultivated genotypes. In view of the lack of information on the accessions cultivated in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, this pioneering study aimed to characterize 60 accessions cultivated in the state using ISSR yacon markers with emphasis on identifying the genetic diversity among the materials. The 20 ISSR primers used produced a total of 82 fragments, 39.6% of which presented polymorphism. The number of fragments per primer ranged from 1 to 10. The dissimilarity values ranged from 0 to 0.54 according to the Jaccard coefficient. A dendrogram was generated in which the accessions were divided into 3 groups; group 1 contained 58 individuals and groups 2 and 3 had only one individual in each group. The clustering of 58 accessions in a single group shows the low diversity in the materials examined. This low diversity indicates that new genotypes must be introduced in order to promote increased variability, which would minimize the adverse effects caused by biotic and abiotic factors.

Efficiency of lysine utilization by growing meat quail

The objective of present study was to estimate the efficiency of lysine utilization by meat quail of 21 to 35 d of age. A total of 500 meat quails were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement, with 2 sexes (male and female) and 5 digestible lysine levels (0.714, 0.816, 0.918, 1.020, and 1.122%) and 5 replications of 10 birds each. The variables studied were feather-free body weight (FFBW), feed intake (FI), lysine intake (LysI), feather-free body protein deposition (FFBPD), feather-free body lysine deposition (FFBLysD), feather-free body fat deposition (FFBFatD), feather weight (FW), feather protein deposition, feather lysine deposition, and feather fat deposition. The FFBW, FFBPD, FFBLysD, and FFBFatD were regressed as a function of LysI for each sex to estimate the efficiency of lysine utilization in the feather-free body (ELysFFB), and the individual equations were compared. In addition, a multiple regression without intercept was also used to estimate the ELysFFB and in feathers (ELysF) individually. To compare the ELysFFB obtained by the different methods, the t-statistic was used. There was no effect on sex × lysine level interactions for any variable. The females showed higher FFBW (5.07%) and FFBFatD (26.23%) than males. All variables increased with the level of dietary lysine, with the exception of FI, FW, and the deposition of nutrients within them. The ELysFFB values obtained by simple linear regression and multiple linear regression were 48.0 and 44.6%, respectively. As there was no difference in the efficiencies estimated by the different methodologies, the best estimate of ELysFFB was 46.3%, that is, the average. The best estimate of ELysF was 18.1%, obtained by multiple linear regression.

[Childhood and adolescent obesity]

OBJECTIVE: To review the medical literature in the last 5 years regarding obesity in children as well as its treatment. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: Obesity is a chronic disease that presents high percentages of therapeutic failure and recurrence, leading to serious physical and psychological consequences, especially in its most severe forms. Health care professionals and families usually neglect the treatment of obesity in the hope of a spontaneous reversal of the condition during adolescence. There is a great probability that obese children and adolescents will continue to be obese in adulthood, thus increasing morbidity and mortality of several diseases. CONCLUSION: Pediatricians are supposed to early identify children at greater risk for obesity, taking effective control measures in order to achieve a more favorable prognosis.

(1S,2E,6R,7aR)-1,6-Dihy-droxy-2-(4-nitro-benzyl-idene)-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexa-hydro-1H-pyrrolizin-3-one

The crystal structure of the title compound, C₁₄H₁₄N₂O₅, contains two distinct conformers in the asymmetric unit. The compound has three defined stereocenters, two of them contiguous, and a C=C double bond with an E conformation. The stereocenters exhibit the same chirality in both conformers, with significant differences in the conformation of the five-membered rings of the pyrrolizine unit (both either in a twist or in an envelope form) and in the dihedral angles between the corresponding mean planes and the benzene rings. A prominent feature is a change from almost coplanar rings in one conformer to a new conformation in the second conformer, in which the mean plane of a five-membered ring is almost perpendicular to the benzene ring, with a dihedral angle 87.19 (8)°; the corresponding angle in the first conformer is 14.02 (10)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Crystallographic data were essential to confirm the configuration of the double bond, which was unclear from the available two-dimensional NMR data. In addition, reliable Flack and Hooft parameters were obtained, allowing for the correct absolute structure to be determined.

Tris[2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl-κN)-1H-benzimidazole-κN3]zinc(II) dinitrate ethanol hemisolvate monohydrate at 100 K

The Zn(II) center in the dicationic complex of the title compound, [Zn(C(10)H(7)N(3)S)(3)](NO(3))(2)·0.5C(2)H(5)OH·H(2)O, is in a distorted octahedral environment with imperfect noncrystallographic C(3) symmetry. Each 2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole ligand coordinates in a bidentate manner, with the Zn-N(imidazole) bond lengths approximately 0.14 Å shorter than the Zn-N(thiazole) bond lengths. Charge-assisted hydrogen bonds connect cations, anions and water molecules. A lattice void is occupied by an ethanol solvent molecule disordered about a crystallographic inversion center and π-stacking is observed between one type of symmetry-related benzene rings.

Cyclosporine A, but not tacrolimus, is associated with impaired proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

The prevention of graft rejection after liver transplant with cyclosporine A (CyA) and tacrolimus has been associated to decreased bone mineral density. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of increasing concentrations of CyA and tacrolimus on human osteoblasts.

MATERIAL/METHODS

Human osteoblast-like cells obtained by the outgrowth of cells from bone chips were exposed to tacrolimus (10-1000 ng/mL) or CyA (1000-50,000 ng/mL). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined on days 2, 4, 6, and 8, and cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell counting on days 2, 4, 6, and 8. Cell death was investigated by flow cytometry with propidium iodine, and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry with fluorescently conjugated annexin V.

RESULTS

No effects of tacrolimus were detected with respect to ALP activity or cell proliferation. In CyA-treated cultures, concentrations greater than 10 000 ng/mL were associated with decreased ALP activity after 8 days (P<0.05). In addition, a dose-dependent reduction in cell proliferation was detected after 6 days (P<0.05). This decreased cell proliferation was associated with increased apoptosis in response to 50 000 ng/mL CyA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that CyA reduced, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, the number of metabolically active cells via a decrease in proliferation and an increase in cell death, and induced impairment of osteoblast differentiation. These negative effects of CyA on human osteoblast-like cells might contribute to the bone loss reported in vivo.

(1S,2E,6R,7aR)-2-Benzyl-idene-1,6-dihy-droxy-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexa-hydro-1H-pyrrolizin-3-one

In the title compound, C₁₄H₁₅NO₃, the conformation of the double bond was determined to be E, confirming the result obtained from two-dimensional NMR data. The five-membered rings of the pyrrolizine unit exhibit C-envelope conformations, with C atoms displaced from the mean planes formed by the remaining rings atoms by 0.1468 (15) and 0.5405 (17) Å. The mean planes of these rings (through all ring atoms) have a dihedral angle of 49.03 (10)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The absolute configuration of the mol­ecule was established, as judged by the, as judged by the obtained values for the Hooft and Flack parameters.

[Changes in lipid profile in obese children and adolescents]

Alterations in plasmatic lipid profile are known to be risk factors for atherosclerotic disease and have been associated with obesity. This research was designed in order to study the incidence of these alterations in obese children and adolescents according to two different reference patterns. Analyses of seric levels of Total Cholesterol (CT) and fractions and of Triglycerides (TG) were done. The sample included 74 obese children and adolescents with average age equal to 11 years and 10 months for boys and 10 years and 9 months for girls and with mean weight/height ratio (W/H) equal to 151 and 149% for boys and for girls, respectively. Plasmatic lipid values obtained were classified according to the American Heart Position Statement Circulation (AHPSC) and to Kwiterovich reference patterns. It was observed that patients with abnormal seric HDL-cholesterol (HDL) levels had a significantly greater (W/H) then the other group. It was also noticed that a greater number of individuals presented abnormal or borderline plasmatic lipid levels (91.9%), specially HDL (93.6%) and TG (67.6%), according to Kwiterovich than AHPSC. Obesity showed to be an important factor in determining lipid profile values and should be included as a variable to indicate screening of these lipoproteins in childhood and adolescence.

Lycopene and beta-carotene induce cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines

Lycopene and beta-carotene are carotenoids widely distributed in fruits and vegetables, with potential anticancer activity. Epidemiological trials rarely provide evidence for the mechanisms of action of these compounds, and their biological effects at different times of treatment are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of carotenoids on the cell cycle and cell viability in human breast cancer cell lines. Human breast cell lines were treated with carotenoids (0.5-10 μM) for 48 and 96 h. Cell viability was monitored using the MTT method (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; thiazolyl blue). The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, and apoptotic cells were identified by annexin/propidium iodide (PI) biomarkers. Our data showed a significant decrease in the number of viable breast cancer cells on treatment with carotenoids. Carotenoids also promoted cell-cycle arrest followed by decreased cell viability in the majority of cell lines after 96 h, compared to controls. Furthermore, an increase in apoptosis was observed in cell lines when cells were treated with carotenoids. Our findings show the capacity of lycopene and beta-carotene to inhibit cell proliferation, arrest the cell cycle in different phases, and increase apoptosis. These findings indicate that the effect was cell type-dependent and that carotenoids are potential agents for biological interference with cancer.