Curcumin-Induced Apoptosis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma J5 Cells: Critical Role of Ca+2-Dependent Pathway

The antitumor effects of curcumin, a natural biologically active compound extracted from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, have been studied in many cancer cell types including human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated the effects of Ca2+ on curcumin-induced apoptosis in human HCC J5 cells. The abrogation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and calcium release were demonstrated with flow cytometry as early as 15 minutes after curcumin treatment. In addition, an increase level of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm which led to DNA fragmentation was observed. To verify the role of Ca2+ in curcumin-induced apoptosis, 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), an intracellular calcium chelator, was applied. Cell viability was increased, but ΔΨm, ROS production, activation of caspase 3, and cell death were decreased in J5 cells pretreated with BAPTA for 2 h followed by the treatment of 25 μM curcumin. These results suggest that the curcumin-induced apoptosis in human HCC J5 cells is via mitochondria-dependent pathway and is closely related to the level of intracellular accumulation of calcium

Associations between trabecular bone score and bone mineral density in Taiwanese older adult men

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease in older adults, and it is a predictor of bone fracture. This study determined the mean trabecular bone score (TBS) of older Taiwanese men in different age groups and analyzed the effectiveness of TBS in predicting osteoporosis risk. A total of 1568 men aged 50 and older were enrolled. The demographic characteristics; bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores of the spine, total hip, and femoral neck; and TBS of the spine were recorded to statistically determine osteoporosis-related factors. The average age (range) of the included patients was 59.5 ± 7.5 (50.0–92.7) years. The mean (range) TBS was 1.386 ± 0.073 (0.999–1.605). The TBS was moderately and positively correlated with the BMD T-scores of the spine, total hip, and femoral neck (r = 0.516, 0.499, and 0.480, respectively). The lowest of the BMD T-scores measured at multiple sites revealed a higher rate of osteoporosis (5.5%) than did BMD T-scores measured at individual sites. Moreover, bone microarchitecture degradation was noted in 2.2% of the patients. Compared with the use of BMD alone, a combination of BMD and TBS predicted more patients (1.4%) to be at a high risk of osteoporosis. Combining the lowest BMD and TBS revealed that 20.3% of patients aged ≥70 years had a high risk of osteoporosis. TBS can be used to clinically assess the risk of osteoporosis in older adults without osteoporosis. We recommend combining the lowest BMD T-score and TBS for predicting the risk of osteoporosis

Computed Tomographic Appearance of Internal Herniation Through the Sigmoid Mesocolon

The case of a patient with surgically proven internal herniation of a loop of ileum through the sigmoid mesocolon is described. This 66-year-old man presented clinically with acute lower abdominal pain and an elevated white blood cell count. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a thickened bowel loop with “bird-beak” appearance in the pelvis, centered towards the medial side and lying aside the effaced sigmoid colon. We think this CT picture is highly suggestive of internal herniation of the ileum through the sigmoid mesocolon, which is a rare clinical entity

The role of Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators in Cystic Fibrosis Airways disease

International audienceCystic Fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease due to mutations of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene encoding the CFTR chloride channel. The ion transport abnormalities related to CFTR mutation generate a dehydrated airway surface liquid (ASL) layer, which is responsible for an altered mucociliary clearance, favors infections and persistent inflammation that lead to progressive lung destruction and respiratory failure. The inflammatory response is normally followed by an active resolution phase to return to tissue homeostasis, which involves specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). SPMs promote resolution of inflammation, clearance of microbes, tissue regeneration and reduce pain, but do not evoke unwanted immunosuppression. The airways of CF patients showed a decreased production of SPMs even in the absence of pathogens. SPMs levels in the airway correlated with CF patients' lung function. The prognosis for CF has greatly improved but there remains a critical need for more effective treatments that prevent excessive inflammation, lung damage, and declining pulmonary function for all CF patients. This review aims to highlight the recent understanding of CF airway inflammation and the possible impact of SPMs on functions that are altered in CF airways