Low-density lipoprotein receptors play an important role in the inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation by statins

AbstractBackgroundThere are some reports about the antitumor effects of statins in these days. Statins decrease the level of cholesterol in the blood by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Inhibition of this enzyme decreases intracellular cholesterol synthesis. Thus, the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) is increased to import more cholesterol from the bloodstream. In this study, we assessed the effects of statins on the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, and studied the relationship between the expression of LDLr and the effects of statins.MethodsSimvastatin was used in the experiments. We studied the effect of simvastatin on PC-3 and LNCaP cell proliferation using the MTS assay, and evaluated the expression of LDLr after administration of simvastatin by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Intracellular cholesterol levels in the prostate cancer cells were measured after administration of simvastatin. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown the gene expression of LDLr.ResultsIn PC-3 cells, simvastatin inhibited cell proliferation. In LNCaP cells, only a high concentration of simvastatin (100μM) inhibited cell proliferation. In LNCaP cells, the protein level of LDLr was increased by simvastatin. In PC-3 cells, the protein levels of LDLr were unregulated. In PC-3 cells, but not in LNCaP cells, intracellular cholesterol levels were significantly decreased by simvastatin. After knocking down LDLr expression by siRNA, intracellular cholesterol levels were decreased, and cell proliferation was inhibited by simvastatin in LNCaP cells.ConclusionSimvastatin inhibited prostate cancer cell growth by decreasing cellular cholesterol and could be more effective in androgen-independent prostate cancer, where there is loss of regulation of LDLr expression. LDLr was shown to play an important role in the statin-induced inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation. These results suggest that future studies evaluating the cholesterol-lowering effects of statin may lead to new approaches to the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer

Elevation of Bombina variegata peptide 8 in mice with collagen-induced arthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Bombina variegate </it>peptide 8 (Bv8) is a small protein secreted by frog skin. Recently it has been shown to contribute to tumor angiogenesis in mouse model. The purpose of this study was to investigate Bv8 in mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We induced CIA in male DBA/1J mice. The severity of arthritis was evaluated based on an arthritis score. RNA was extracted from the joint, and examined for Bv8 mRNA expression by RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR. Synovial tissue and bone marrow were immunohistochemically examined using anti-Bv8 antibody.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The level of Bv8 mRNA expression in the joint was below the detection limit in the control group, but was elevated in the CIA group, and was correlated with the arthritis score. In addition, an increase in Bv8-positive cells was observed in the synovium and bone marrow in the CIA group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bv8 was elevated in the synovium and bone marrow of CIA mice, suggesting that Bv8 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of arthritis.</p

Oral hypofunction in the older population : Position paper of the Japanese Society of Gerodontology in 2016

Background: There is growing international interest in identifying the effects of ageing on oral health and on appropriate strategies for managing oral disorders. The Japanese Society of Gerodontology (JSG), as the official representative of researchers and clinicians interested in geriatric dentistry in Japan, makes several recommendations on the concept of “oral hypofunction.” Aims: This study proposes diagnostic criteria and management strategies to reduce the risk of oral hypofunction among older people. Conceptual Framework: We define oral hypofunction as a presentation of 7 oral signs or symptoms: oral uncleanness; oral dryness; decline in occlusal force; decline in motor function of tongue and lips; decline in tongue pressure; decline in chewing function; and decline in swallowing function. The criteria of each symptom were determined based on the data of previous studies, and oral hypofunction was diagnosed if the criteria for 3 or more signs or symptoms were met. Conclusions: We recommend that more evidence should be gathered from clinical studies and trials to clarify our diagnostic criteria and management strategies

Gallbladder Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma

A 73-year-old female was operated with radical nephrectomy and cholecystectomy for renal cell carcinoma and suspected gallstones after 9 courses of sunitinib treatment. Gallbladder specimen showed gallbladder metastasis originating from the renal cell carcinoma. Gallbladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is rare. Here, we discuss a case of gallbladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma

Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae : Comparison of Clinical Isolates of Japan and The Philippines

For clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae in Japan (356 and 179 strains, respectively) and in the Philippines (98 and 59 strains, respectively), minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ampicillin, cefazolin, cefotiam, ceftizoxim, ofloxacin, erythromycin, and minocycline were examined. The rates of β-lactamase producing H. influenzae were 17.7% (63/356) in Japan and 2.0% (2/98) in the Philippines, and all of these strains were ampicillin MICs 〓1.56 ugml^. In addition, 5 strains in Japan that lacked β-lactamase activity were also less susceptible to ampicillin. Among the antimicrobials tested, ceftizoxim was the most active against H. influenzae in both countries (MICs 〓0.2 ugml^). Five strains of S. pneumoniae in Japan were relatively resistant to ampicillin (MIC=0.1 ugml^), whereas there were no such strains among isolates in the Philippines. Forty strains (22.3%) and 108 strains (60.3%) among S. pneumoniae in Japan exhibited erythromycin MICs 〓0.2 ugml^ and minocycline MICs 〓1.56 ugml^, respectively. In contrast, all isolates in the Philippines were erythromycin MICs 〓0.05 ugml^ and minocycline MICs 〓0.39 ugml^. Present study indicates that H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in the Philippines remained still susceptible to the antimicrobials tested except for 2 β-lactamase-positive, ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae, whereas ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae mediated by β-lactamase or non-β-lactamase mechanisms and ampicillin-, erythromycin- or minocycline-resistant S. pneumoniae were included among isolates in Japan

A Report on the Workshop: Support for New Teachers in Trouble

共同研

Recent Advances in Sensing Oropharyngeal Swallowing Function in Japan

Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) is an important issue in the elderly because it causes aspiration pneumonia, which is the second largest cause of death in this group. It also causes decline in activities of daily living and quality of life. The oral phase of swallowing has been neglected, despite its importance in the evaluation of dysphagia, because adequate protocols and measuring devices are unavailable. However, recent advances in sensor technology have enabled straightforward, non-invasive measurement of the movement of important swallowing-related organs such as the lips and tongue, as well as the larynx. In this article, we report the present state and possibility of clinical application of such systems developed in Japan