Antiproliferative effect of gold(I) compound auranofin through inhibition of STAT3 and telomerase activity in MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cells

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) andtelomerase are considered attractive targets for anticancertherapy. The in vitro anticancer activity of the gold(I) compoundauranofin was investigated using MDA-MB 231 human breastcancer cells, in which STAT3 is constitutively active. In cellculture, auranofin inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner,and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a scavenger of reactive oxygenspecies (ROS), markedly blocked the effect of auranofin.Incorporation of 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine into DNA andanchorage-independent cell growth on soft agar were decreasedby auranofin treatment. STAT3 phosphorylation and telomeraseactivity were also attenuated in cells exposed to auranofin, butNAC pretreatment restored STAT3 phosphorylation andtelomerase activity in these cells. These findings indicate thatauranofin exerts in vitro antitumor effects in MDA-MB 231 cellsand its activity involves inhibition of STAT3 and telomerase.Thus, auranofin shows potential as a novel anticancer drug thattargets STAT3 and telomerase. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(1): 59-64

Involvement of mTOR signaling in sphingosylphosphorylcholine-induced hypopigmentation effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) acts as a potent lipid mediator and signaling molecule in various cell types. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SPC on melanogenesis and SPC-modulated signaling pathways related to melanin synthesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Melanin production was measured in Mel-Ab cells. A luciferase assay was used to detect transcriptional activity of the MITF promoter. Western blot analysis was performed to examine SPC-induced signaling pathways.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SPC produced significant hypopigmentation effects in a dose-dependent manner. It was found that SPC induced not only activation of Akt but also stimulation of mTOR, a downstream mediator of the Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, SPC decreased the levels of LC3 II, which is known to be regulated by mTOR. Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin eliminated decreases in melanin and LC3 II levels by SPC. Furthermore, we found that the Akt inhibitor LY294002 restored SPC-mediated downregulation of LC3 II and inhibited the activation of mTOR by SPC.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data suggest that the mTOR signaling pathway is involved in SPC-modulated melanin synthesis.</p

Efekti korišćenja astaksantina u ishrani na rast, pigmentaciju mišića i antioksidantne aktivnosti mlađi kalifornijske pastrmke (oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was designed to test the effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth, muscle pigmentation, antioxidant activity and biochemical composition of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Experimental diets were formulated to contain 50, 75 and 100 ppm astaxanthin (designed as AS50, AS75 and AS100). The diet without supplementation of astaxanthin was considered as the control diet. Each experimental diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish (18.5 g/fish) to visual satiation two times a day for 10 weeks. Growth performance and proximate composition of muscle of fish were not affected by dietary AS levels (P> 0.05). Total carotenoid concentration in the muscle of fish fed the AS50 diet was higher than that of fish fed the control diet, but no different to that of fish fed the AS75 and AS100 diets. The astaxanthin concentration in the muscle of fish fed AS50, AS75 and AS100 diets were higher than that of control diet. The redness (a*) of the muscle of fish fed AS50, AS75 and AS100 diets were higher than that of fish fed the control diet (P 0.05) nije uticao na performansu rasta i hemijski sastav mišića ribe. Ukupna koncentracija karotenoida u mišiću ribe koja je hranjena AS50 hranom bila je viša nego kod riba hranjenih kontrolnom hranom, ali nije bila drugačija od riba hranjenih AS75 i AS100 hranom. Koncentracija astaksantina u mišiću riba hranjenih AS50, AS75 i AS100 hranom bila je viša nego kod riba hranjenih kontrolnom hranom. Crvena boja (a*) mišića ribe koja je hranjena AS50, AS75 i AS100 hranom bila je jača nego kod ribe hranjene kontrolnom hranom (P< 0.05). Antioksidantna aktivnost DPPH, radikala hidroksila i alkila u plazmi i jetri riba nisu zavisili od nivoa astaksantina osim kod plazme koja je imala antioksidantnu aktivnost alkilnih radikala. Rezultati ove studije nagoveštavaju da se hrana koja sadrži 50 ppm astaksantina može koristiti da bi se poboljšala crvena boja mišične pigmentacije kod mlađi kalifornijske pastrmke

Dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction without basal septal hypertrophy, caused by catecholamine therapy and volume depletion

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with hypertrophy of the basal septum is the most common etiology of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Arterial Esophageal Bleeding with the Use of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for the treatment of arterial esophageal bleeding. Materials and Methods: Between August 2000 and April 2008, five patients diagnosed with arterial esophageal bleeding by conventional angiography, CT-angiography or endoscopy, underwent a TAE with NBCA. We mixed NBCA with iodized oil at ratios of 1:1 to 1:4 to supply radiopacity and achieve a proper polymerization time. After embolization, we evaluated the angiographic and clinical success, recurrent bleeding, and procedure-related complications. Results: The bleeding esophageal artery directly originated from the aorta in four patients and from the left inferior phrenic artery in one patient. Although four patients had an underlying coagulopathy at the time of the TAE, angiographic and clinical success was achieved in all five patients. In addition, no procedure-related complications such as esophageal infarction were observed during this study. Conclusion: NBCA can be an effective and feasible embolic agent in patients with active arterial esophageal bleeding, even with pre-existing coagulopathy.Burke SJ, 2007, EUR RADIOL, V17, P1714, DOI 10.1007/s00330-006-0477-xVogten JM, 2007, J VASC INTERV RADIOL, V18, P771, DOI 10.1016/j.jvir.2007.02.022Lee CW, 2007, J VASC INTERV RADIOL, V18, P209, DOI 10.1016/j.jvir.2006.12.003Jae HJ, 2007, KOREAN J RADIOL, V8, P48Ripoll C, 2004, J VASC INTERV RADIOL, V15, P447Kuo WT, 2003, J VASC INTERV RADIOL, V14, P1503, DOI 10.1097/01.RV1.0000099780.23569.E6Schenker MP, 2001, J VASC INTERV RADIOL, V12, P1263Aina R, 2001, J VASC INTERV RADIOL, V12, P195Kos X, 1998, CARDIOVASC INTER RAD, V21, P428Toyoda H, 1996, J GASTROEN HEPATOL, V11, P252ENCARNACION CE, 1992, RADIOLOGY, V183, P505STOESSLEIN F, 1982, CARDIOVASC INTER RAD, V5, P264MICHAL JA, 1980, RADIOLOGY, V134, P246CROMWELL LD, 1979, AM J ROENTGENOL, V132, P799CARSEN GM, 1978, RADIOLOGY, V128, P309MICHELS NA, 1955, UNDERLYING BLOOD SUP, P266SWIGART LVL, 1950, SURG GYNECOL OBSTET, V90, P234

A Clinical Pilot Study Showing the Safety and Efficacy of Intramuscular Injection of Atelocollagen for Prevention of Paraspinal Muscle Atrophy after Spine Surgery

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of intramuscular injection of atelocollagen for the prevention of paraspinal muscle atrophy after spine surgery. Atelcollagen has been widely used as an intradermal filler to restore soft tissue defect. Many studies demonstrated that atelocollagen provides good therapeutic results by promoting cell proliferation and enhances the healing effect on injured connective tissues such as tendons and fasciae, while causing few complications. Methods A total of 118 patients who underwent single level of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PILF) between December 2017 and April 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. In the study group of 60 patients, 3 mL of gel-type 3% atelocollagen solution was prepared and injected into the multifidus muscle during wound closure. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by the improvement of back pain, elevation of a muscle enzyme, and inflammatory markers. Radiologic efficacy was evaluated with a comparison of density and cross-sectional area (CSA) of multifidus and erector spinae muscle in CT images. Results Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back pain was not significantly lower in the study group postoperatively compared with the control group. The reduction of postoperative paraspinal muscle density and CSA was significantly lower in the study group. The serum level of muscle enzyme and inflammatory markers were significantly lower in the study group. No major procedure-related complications were observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion Intramuscular injection of atelocollagen is safe and feasible for the prevention of paraspinal muscle atrophy after spine surgery. This novel method seems advantageous for accelerating wound healing without causing inflammation