纳米级Fe3O4磁性粒子与人肝癌细胞HepG-2及人正常肝细胞L02作用的生物学行为的实验研究

目的:对纳米级Fe3O4磁性粒子与人肝癌细胞HepG-2及人正常肝细胞L02作用的生物学行为进行实验研究。方法:通过化学沉淀法制备粒径为10nm左右的纳米级Fe3O4磁性粒子,观察其表征;将不同浓度纳米级Fe3O4粒子加入培养液分别与HepG-2混合培养检测凋亡坏死率;将相同浓度粒子分别与HepG-2和L02混合培养,对两者作用的差异进行动态观察比较。结果:纳米级Fe3O4磁性粒子能在肝癌细胞HepG-2细胞内稳定存在72小时以上,有良好的生物相容性;透射电镜观察到Fe3O4磁性粒子主要分布于细胞的溶酶体及吞噬泡内。共培养1小时后即有较多的纳米磁性粒子进入HepG-2内,而3小时后才见L02细胞内有少量的磁性粒子进入。结论:此实验结果为磁性纳米粒子与肿瘤细胞微观结构的作用提供了有意义的实验数据,并可能对应用磁性纳米粒子治疗恶性肿瘤提供有价值的依据。     

MRI体外示踪SPIO标记人脐带间充质干细胞的实验研究

目的:研究超顺磁性纳米铁颗粒(superparamagnetic ironoxide particles,SPIO)体外标记人脐带间充质干细胞(HuCMScs)及MRI成像示踪的可行性.方法:从人胎儿脐带中分离培养、扩增脐带间充质干细胞(HUCMSCs),分别采用0 μg/ml,25μg/ml,50μg/ml浓度的SPIO标记0.5×106,1×106,2×106和10×106 HUCMSCs.普鲁士蓝染色和透射电镜鉴定细胞内铁颗粒情况,并用3.0T MR/离体扫描T1WI,T2WI,GRE/300序列成像,测定细胞群信号.结果:不同数量的HUCMSCs与0 μg/ml,25 μg/ml,50 μg/ml浓度的SP10共同培养18小时,普鲁士蓝染色发现标记的细胞随标记浓度的升高染色程度逐渐加深.透射电镜检查显示细胞内含致密铁颗粒.离体MRI不同序列测定不同浓度SPIO标记相同数量的细胞群,GRE/30°和T2WI测定的各组之间均有统计学差别,501μg/ml与25μg/ml组分别与0μg/ml组之间有显著统计学差别(P<0.05);同一浓度SPIO标记人脐带间充质干细胞,信号强度与细胞数量有关(P<0.05).结论:SPIO可以标记人脐带间充质干细胞,应用MRI可以对其进行体外示踪和监测.     

阳离子脂质体介导RNA干扰的效果评价

考察自制的肽型阳离子脂质体CDO14作为RNA转染载体的细胞毒性及其运载si RNA进行RNA干扰的效果。通过MTT法检测脂质体对稳定表达荧光素酶的肺癌A549(Luc-A549)细胞的毒性。以脂质体为载体将荧光素酶si RNA(Luc-si RNA)转染至Luc-A549细胞内,用发光仪检测转染细胞内荧光素酶含量,BCA法检测细胞内总蛋白含量。在裸鼠腋下接种Luc-A549细胞,成瘤后尾静脉注射Luc-si RNA和脂质体的复合物,利用活体成像系统检测模型小鼠体内荧光素酶的表达量。细胞毒性实验表明,自制脂质体的毒性与商品脂质体DOTAP相近,低于商品脂质体Lipo2000;细胞转染实验表明自制脂质体作为基因转染载体的转染效率高于DOTAP;体内转染实验表明CDO14作为载体转染效果优于DOTAP。结果表明,肽型阳离子脂质体CDO14具有毒性小、转染效率高等优点,有望作为转染载体用于基因治疗。     

辛伐他汀通过上调sirt1抵抗氧化低密度脂蛋白诱导的内皮细胞衰老

目的:探讨辛伐他汀对氧化低密度脂蛋白诱导的内皮细胞衰老的作用及其可能机制.方法:体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,给予不同浓度(0、25、50、100 μg/ml)氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)培养24小时,观察细胞β-半乳糖苷酶染色及SIRT1蛋白表达的变化;给予不同浓度辛伐他汀(1、5、10 μmol/L)预处理内皮细胞l小时后加入100μg/ml ox-LDL培养人脐静脉内皮细胞23小时,检测细胞β-半乳糖苷酶染色及SIRT1蛋白表达的变化.结果:随着ox-LDL作用浓度的增加,细胞内β-半乳糖苷酶染色的阳性细胞百分率逐渐升高,与空白对照组相比差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),在ox-LDL(100 μg/mll)组达到最高,显著高于ox-LDL(25 μg/ml)组(P＜0.001).而不同浓度ox-LDL处理的细胞内SIRT1的表达较空白对照组相比逐渐下降,ox-LDL(50、100 μg/ml)组SIRT1的表达显著低于ox-LDL(25 μg/ml)组(P＜0.05).10 μmol/L辛伐他汀预处理能明显降低100μg/ml ox-LDL处理的内皮细胞内β-半乳糖苷酶染色的阳性细胞百分率(P＜0.001),并显著抑制细胞内SIRT1的蛋白表达(P＜0.001).结论:辛伐他汀可以抵抗ox-LDL诱导的内皮细胞衰老,可能与增加内皮细胞内SIRT1的表达有关.     

不同种类的脂肪酸对肝细胞脂质堆积的研究

目的：比较不同种类的脂肪酸对人肝癌细胞（HepG2）脂质堆积的影响。方法：HepG2细胞随机分为对照组（Con）、棕榈酸组（PA）、油酸组（OA）、亚油酸组（LA）和亚麻酸组（ALA）。培养24 h后,以MTT法比较不同种类脂肪酸对肝细胞存活率的影响;同一浓度下,以油红O染色法比较,各组细胞内脂滴生成情况拍照并测量吸光度;以酶学法检测各组细胞内甘油三酯含量比较不同种类脂肪酸对肝细胞脂质堆积的影响。结果：确定了每种脂肪酸诱导的浓度为50 μmol/L,同一浓度下,随着PA、OA、LA、ALA各组脂肪酸的不饱和度依次增加,PA、OA、LA、ALA各组细胞内脂滴依次增多,细胞内TG含量依次升高。与对照组相比,PA无统计学差异,OA存在显著性差异（P＜0.05）,而LA和ALA分别存在极显著性差异（P＜0.001）。且对每种脂肪酸诱导的肝细胞脂质堆积程度进行统计学分析,均存在显著性差异（P＜0.05）。结论：同一条件下,不同种类的脂肪酸对肝细胞活力和脂质堆积程度的影响不同,提示可能与脂肪酸的不饱和度有关,不饱和度越高的脂肪酸对细胞脂质堆积作用越明显。     

新型纳米转染试剂转染PNP自杀基因体外杀伤实验

将壳聚糖纳米粒包裹的报告基因pEGFP-N1质粒转染至HEK293细胞,并在HEK293细胞中成功表达荧光蛋白的基础上,进一步将本室自行构建的PNP基因的真核高效表达载体质粒pcDNA3-PNP转染至HEK293细胞。转染72h后,对转染的HEK293细胞给予前体药6-MPDR至终浓度40μg/ml,一天后,采用MTT比色法测定药物对细胞增值的影响,并进行统计学处理。实验结果表明采用壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂转染并给予前体药6-MPDR的实验组活细胞数,与用壳聚糖转染但不给前体药6-MPDR的对照组活细胞数相比,有显著差异(P<0.05),说明新筛选出的壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂可以将PNP自杀基因递送至靶细胞中,并在细胞中进行表达,从而使PNP/6-MPDR自杀基因系统发挥杀伤细胞的作用。分别采用相同工作浓度的脂质体与壳聚糖纳米粒转染试剂转染相同浓度的基因质粒,壳聚糖纳米粒对靶细胞生长数量影响很小,说明的壳聚糖纳米粒细胞毒性大大低于阳离子脂质体的细胞毒性。     

肝细胞靶向pH敏脂质体介导的硫代反义寡核苷酸对HCV5‘NCR基因表达的抑制作用

反义寡核苷酸是一种阴离子大分子物质,细胞生物利用度较低且易被细胞溶酶体酶降解,为了增强反义药物在病变靶细胞内的有效浓度,根据受体介导的内吞作用原理,针对肝细胞专一性表达的去唾液酸糖蛋白受体,设计及制备了一种肝靶向性脂质体,这种脂质体同时具有pH敏性.采用竟争抑制实验及鸡红细胞溶血实验分析了其肝细胞靶向性及pH敏性;应用肝靶向pH敏脂质体作为药物运载工具,介导反义寡核苷酸HCV363作用于转基因细胞HepG2.9706细胞,通过荧光素酶活性检测,观察了硫代反义寡核苷酸对HCV 5′NCR调控功能的抑制活性.结果显示,不同浓度半乳糖溶液对5%18-gal脂质体有一定的抑制作用,浓度超过20mmol/L时,达到饱和,最大抑制率为38%;溶血实验显示脂质体与红细胞膜融合作用有显著的pH值依赖性,pH＜6时,血红素释放量明显增加;肝靶向pH敏性脂质体介导的HCV363对HepG2.9706细胞中HCV 5′NCR调控基因具有显著的剂量依赖性抑制作用,浓度为1.0umol/L时,抑制率达86%.综上,所制备的脂质体具有一定的肝细胞靶向性及显著的pH敏感性,这种脂质体能够增强HCV特异性硫代反义寡核苷酸的细胞内抑制活性,这为针对肝炎病毒的反义寡核苷酸的体内活性评价提供了有用的转运体系.     

肽-半乳糖苷-阿霉素脂质体在肝细胞癌靶向治疗中作用

目的:获得一种对肝细胞癌具有特异靶向的药物传递系统载体-聚乙二醇修饰的MMP-2底物肽-半乳糖苷-阿霉素脂质体(PEG-PD-Gal-ADM-liposomes),为临床肝癌的靶向治疗提供实验依据.方法:将二棕榈磷脂酰基乙醇胺(DOPE)与聚乙二醇化的MMP-2底物肽连接(Gly-Pro-Lcu-Gly-Ile-Ala-Gly-Gin),即获得可被MMP-2切割的聚乙二醇-底物肽-DOPE,再与半乳糖苷脂质体(Gal-liposomes)、阿霉素(ADM)耦合,最终获得聚乙二醇修饰的MMP-2底物肽-半乳糖苷-阿霉素脂质体(PEG-PD-Gal-ADM-liposomes),体外观察其对人肝癌细胞株HepG2的效应.结果:MTT法显示PEG-PD-Gal-ADM脂质体对人肝癌细胞株HepG2的毒性作用弱于半乳糖苷-阿霉素脂质体(PEG-Gai-ADM)的作用(P＜0.05),对人结肠癌细胞株SW480的毒性作用二者之间无显著差异;用MMP-2(5μg/ml)预处理后,PEG-PD-GaI-ADM脂质体对人肝癌细胞株HepG2的毒性作用与Gal-ADM脂质体的作用相近,无显著差异(P＞0.05);加入过量的半乳糖封闭半乳糖受体后,二者的毒性作用均有下降,无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论:PEG-PD-Gal-ADM脂质体是一种新型的HCC特异靶向治疗药物传递载体,可能是将来HCC靶向治疗的重要手段.     

人肝癌细胞株H9101的建立及其细胞生物学特性研究

从厦门市肝癌高发的同安地区肝癌病人肝癌组织建立了人原发性肝细胞癌细胞系H9101.它生长迅速,群体倍增时间平均为38小时,对小牛血清的依赖性较低(1%).体外培养的H9101细胞贴壁生长,扫描和透射电镜下见细胞有丰富细长微绒毛.H9101细胞具有较高的软琼脂克隆形成率(1/200细胞)和裸鼠异种移植成瘤能力(100%).瘤细胞在ConA处理后呈较强的凝集性,在ConA 50ug/ml和100μg/ml时细胞凝集率分别为61%和92%.瘤细胞分泌微量的AFP,用1%DMSO和1.5×10-5mol/L地塞米松处理10天后上升到(140ng/ml/1×105细胞/24小时),且HBsAg转呈阳性.H9101细胞γ-谷氨酰转肽酶活性达5.42U±0.11U/mg,酪氨酸α酮戊二酸转肽酶活性达14.24U±1.50U/mg,与正常人肝细胞者相比差异显著(分别为P＜0.001和P＜0.01).H9101细胞染色体数为非整倍体,众数分布在52条-82条,具人类细胞染色体特征,其DNA经PCR扩增显示HBV DNA特异性条带.H9101细胞具端粒酶活性,是细胞连续传代和建系的保证;它恶性程度高、整合HBVDNA和具人肝细胞癌生物学基本特征,可为肝癌分子生物学研究提供有价值的实验材料.     

山楂叶总黄酮对游离脂肪酸损伤的胰岛βTC3 细胞的保护作用

目的:观察山楂叶总黄酮对棕榈酸损伤的胰岛βTC3细胞是否具有保护作用,并筛查出山楂叶总黄酮所起作用的有效浓度。方法:以胰岛βTC3细胞为研究对象,使用棕榈酸制作脂毒性模型,采用MTT法观察山楂叶总黄酮是否具有保护作用,并进一步筛查出有效浓度及时间;同时采用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP原位切口末端标记(TUNEL)技术检测胰岛βTC3细胞的凋亡情况。结果:MTT结果显示10-100μg/ml的山楂叶总黄酮对棕榈酸损伤的胰岛βTC3细胞均有保护作用,其吸光度值明显比棕榈酸组高(P<0.05),并且50μg/ml的山楂叶总黄酮与棕榈酸共同处理胰岛βTC3细胞24小时具有最好的保护作用;TUNEL检测结果显示山楂叶总黄酮+棕榈酸组胰岛βTC3细胞的凋亡率比棕榈酸组低(P<0.01)。结论:山楂叶总黄酮对脂毒性损伤的胰岛βTC3细胞具有保护作用,并在10-100μg/ml浓度范围内成一定的剂量依赖效应。     

脂蟾毒配基诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡作用的研究

目的 通过体外脂蟾毒配基对人肝癌细胞（Bel7402）的凋亡诱导作用,为研究其抑制肿瘤细胞生长的作用机制提供依据。方法 通过应用流式细胞光度术检测细胞凋亡;采用细胞免疫细胞化学显色检测和Western blotting分析凋亡相关基因蛋白的表达来研究脂蟾毒配基对人肝癌细胞（Bel7402）凋亡的诱导作用。结果 表明脂蟾毒配基能够诱导Bel7402细胞发生凋亡,凋亡率大于50%;脂蟾毒配基提取液(浓度1.0 μm）作用于Bel7402细胞24小时后,bc1-2蛋白的表达下调,到48、72小时后下调更明显;而Bax蛋白的表达从24小时后开始上调,到48、72小时后表达上调明显。使用方差分析法与对照组相比较,P<0.05 ,统计学有显著意义。结论 提示诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡可能是脂蟾毒配基抑制、杀伤人肝癌细胞的机制之一。     

丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白稳定表达肝癌细胞株的构建及生物学研究

旨在构建稳定表达HCV核心蛋白的稳定细胞系Huh7-Core并进行初步的生物学功能研究.利用PCR技术扩增HCV核心蛋白基因,通过酶切连接反应将目的基因克隆至载体pSEB-3Flag中,将重组质粒pSEB-3F-Core和辅助质粒pAmpho共转染Huh7细胞,经过Blasticidine抗性筛选,建立稳定表达HCV核心蛋白的肝癌细胞系Huh7-Core.采用RT-PCR、Western blot鉴定Huh7-Core细胞株中核心蛋白的稳定表达并采用MTS、结晶紫试验观察Huh7-Core稳定细胞株的增殖情况.结果显示,成功构建了表达HCV核心蛋白的稳定细胞株Huh7-Core.结晶紫、MTS试验证实Huh7-Core细胞较Huh7-3Flag细胞增殖速度增快,表达HCV核心蛋白的Huh7-Core稳定细胞株构建成功,Core稳定表达后可促进Huh7细胞生长速度.     

Screening and identification of a targeting peptide to hepatocarcinoma from a phage display peptide library

Ligands specific to cell surface receptors have been heavily investigated in cancer research. Phage display technology is a powerful tool in this field and may impact clinical issues including functional diagnosis and targeted drug delivery. In this study, a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and a normal hepatocyte line (L-02) were used to carry out subtractive screening in vitro with a phage display-7 peptide library. After four rounds of panning, there was an obvious enrichment for the phages specifically binding to the HepG2 cells, and the output/input ratio of phages increased about 976-fold (from 0.3x10(-7) to 292.8x10(-7)). A group of peptides capable of binding specifically to the hepatoma cells were obtained, and the affinity of these peptides to the targeting cells and tissues was studied. Through a cell-based ELISA, immunocytochemical staining, immunohistochemical staining, and immunofluorescence, the S1 phage and synthetic peptide HCBP1 (sequence FQHPSFI) were shown to bind to the tumor cell surfaces of two hepatoma cell lines and biopsy specimens, but not to normal hepatocytes, other different cancer cells, or nontumor liver tissues. In conclusion, the peptide HCBP1 may be a potential candidate for targeted drug delivery in therapy of hepatoma cancer.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Soft Tissue Infection with Iron Oxide Labeled Granulocytes in a Rat Model

Object

We sought to detect an acute soft tissue infection in rats by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using granulocytes, previously labeled with superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIO).

Materials and Methods

Parasternal infection was induced by subcutaneous inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus suspension in rats. Granulocytes isolated from isogenic donor rats were labeled with SPIO. Infected rats were imaged by MRI before, 6 and 12 hours after intravenous injection of SPIO-labeled or unlabeled granulocytes. MR findings were correlated with histological analysis by Prussian blue staining and with re-isolated SPIO-labeled granulocytes from the infectious area by magnetic cell separation.

Results

Susceptibility effects were present in infected sites on post-contrast T2*-weighted MR images in all animals of the experimental group. Regions of decreased signal intensity (SI) in MRI were detected at 6 hours after granulocyte administration and were more pronounced at 12 hours. SPIO-labeled granulocytes were identified by Prussian blue staining in the infected tissue and could be successfully re-isolated from the infected area by magnetic cell separation.

Conclusion

The application of SPIO-labeled granulocytes in MRI offers new perspectives in diagnostic specificity and sensitifity to detect early infectious processes.     

Application of response surface method to evaluate the cytotoxic potency of Ulva fasciata Delile,a marine macro alga

Bioprospecting of marine natural products has recently produced a substantial number of drug candidates. Ulva fasciata Delile, belonging to the family Ulvaceae, is a green marine macro alga that grows profusely on the coastal seashore of South India. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro cytotoxic potential of a methanolic extract of U.fasciata Delile (MEUF) using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against human colon carcinoma (HT-29), human hepatocyte carcinoma (Hep-G2), and human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied using central-composite experimental design (CCD) to obtain optimum combined effect of concentration and cancer cells with highest cytotoxicity. The effect of concentration, cancer cell lines as independent variables on absorbance (OD), percent cell survival and percent cell inhibition as dependent variables was investigated. Maximum cytotoxic activity of MEUF was established for Hep-G2 with lowest OD or percent cell survival; highest percent cell inhibition with significant difference (p > 0.05) was compared to HT-29 and MCF-7.     

Butyrate inhibits and Escherichia coli-derived mitogen(s) stimulate DNA synthesis in human hepatocytes in vitro

Bacterial constituents and products of the bacterial metabolism pass from the gut lumen to the portal vein and may influence the homeostasis of the liver. Our aim is to examine whether DNA synthesis of human hepatocyte cell lines is affected by constituents of Escherichia coli species as well as by intracolonic products of bacterial fermentation that reach the liver via the portal vein. Supernatant solutions and bacterial cell fractions (containing either whole dead bacteria, cell walls, cytosol or non-soluble intracellular components) of E. coli K12 and of E. coli species from rat fecal flora were separated by multi-step centrifugation, French press, and microfiltration. The supernatant solution and the cell fractions were incubated with a human hepatoma cell line (Hep-G2) and with a cell line derived from non-malignant human liver cells (Chang cells) for 24 h. The cells were labeled with tritiated thymidine before processing to autoradiography. DNA synthesis was estimated by the labeling index (LI%). DNA synthesis was also estimated following incubation of Hep-G2 cells with short chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic, butyric and succinic acid), acetaldehyde, and ammonium chloride. Epidermal growth factor and a water extract of Helicobacter pylori were used as references. The fractions of E. coli from rat fecal flora containing cytosol and non-soluble intracellular components significantly increased the labeling index in both Hep-G2 and Chang cells (p < 0.05). In addition, the supernatant solution significantly increased the LI in Chang cells (p < 0.05). Epidermal growth factor increased the LI of Hep-G2 cells dose-dependently (p < 0.05). Butyric acid reduced DNA synthesis at 10(-4) M (p < 0.05). The highest doses of acetaldehyde were cytotoxic and reduced the LI. Escherichia coli species contain mitogenic factors to human hepatocytes. The mitogen(s) are present in the supernatant solution, in the cytosol and in non-soluble intracellular components. Butyrate, which is a product of bacterial fermentation of colonic substrates inhibit DNA synthesis in the hepatocyte cell lines. Our findings suggest that soluble mitogen(s) that diffuse from the microorganism to the outer environment, intracellular bacterial constituents, and products of the bacterial metabolism that reach the liver via the portal vein may influence the cell kinetic steady-state of hepatic cells.     

Effect of lecithin nanoliposome or soybean lecithin supplemented by pomegranate extract on post-thaw flow cytometric,microscopic and oxidative parameters in ram semen

This investigation was carried out to study the effect of soybean lecithin 1.5% (wt/vol) (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg l⁻¹ pomegranate extract (PE)) or PE-loaded lecithin nanoliposome (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg l⁻¹) to Tris-based extender. Sperm motility (CASA), viability, membrane integrity (HOS test), abnormalities, mitochondrial activity, apoptosis status, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) and antioxidant activities (GPX, SOD) were investigated following freeze-thawing. No significant differences were detected in motility parameters, viability, membrane integrity, and mitochondria activity after thawing sperm between soybean lecithin and lecithin nanoliposomes. It was shown that PE5 significantly improved sperm total and progressive motility, membrane integrity, viability, mitochondria activity, TAC and reduced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde concentration). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic sperm in PE5 extenders was significantly the lowest among other treatments. Sperm abnormalities, SOD and GPX were not affected by the antioxidant supplements. For apoptotic status, no differences were observed between soybean lecithin and lecithin nanoliposome. We showed that lecithin nanoliposome extender can be a beneficial alternative extender to protect ram sperm during cryopreservation without any adverse effects. It was also observed that regarding pomegranate concentration, PE5 can improve the quality of ram semen after thawing.     

A two-dimensional electrophoresis preliminary approach to human hepatocarcinoma differentiation induced by PPAR-agonists

Adopting biochemical and proteomic approaches, we investigated the effect of some PPAR-agonists, a new class of differentiating agents, on human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep-G2 cell line. Cancer differentiation was assayed by checking albumin, transferrin and alpha-fetoprotein synthesis. Cell metabolism was studied by NMR spectroscopy of cell culture supernatants and by evaluation of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities. The two dimensional electrophoresis approach was employed to analyze modifications in the expression of cellular proteins linked to cell phenotype differentiation in the attempt to identify potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma. Results indicate that PPAR-agonists are able to act as differentiating inducers in human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep-G2 cell line as well as to inhibit mitochondrial respiratory chain Complex I, provoking a selective derangement of cellular oxidative metabolism. Lastly, two dimensional electrophoresis showed interesting modifications in the pattern of expression of cellular proteins that confirm biochemical data (increase in albumin and transferrin, decrease of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis) and, moreover, emphasize the meaning of these data by the increase of spots indicatively ascribed to HSP70 and catalase.     

Anticancer effect of tert-butyl-2(4,5-dihydrogen-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-3-O-1H-imidazole-3-cationic-1-oxyl-2)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic ester on human hepatoma HepG2 cell line

Tert-butyl-2(4,5-dihydrogen-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-3-O-1H-imidazole-3-cationic-1-oxyl-2)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic ester (L-NNP) is a stable nitroxyl nitroxide radical, which have displayed cytotoxicity on human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the selective cytotoxicity of L-NNP on isogenetic human hepatoma HepG2 and normal L-02 cell lines. Cell growth inhibition, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, the mitochondrial membrane potential loss, malondialdehyde generation and glutathione levels were analyzed. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and NF-κBp65 proteins was also examined. The anticancer activity was evaluated in a HepG2 cell xenograft nude mice model. The results showed that 10, 20, 40 μg/ml L-NNP exposure for 48 h caused 52%, 82% and 91% cell growth inhibition of HepG2 cells, compared with 5%, 10% and 15% that of L-02 cells (p < 0.01). Concentrations of 10, 20, 40 μg/ml L-NNP induced cell death by increasing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and MDA, by depolarizing the mitochondrial membrane potential, and by decreasing intracellular GSH levels in HepG2 cells. Western blot assay showed that Bax, Bcl-2 and NF-κBp65 might be implicated in L-NNP-induced selective HepG2 cell death. L-NNP was also found to inhibit HepG2 hepatoma growth and extend the life span of nude mice model (p < 0.01). The pretreatment and co-treatment of 10 mM N-acetyl-cysteine alleviated L-NNP exposure induced intracellular reactive oxygen species increase and cell growth inhibition demonstrated that L-NNP exhibited neoplasm-selective cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic activities via reactive oxygen species mediated oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. It might be promising for developing a new class of anticancer agent for liver cancer.     

Tri-iodothyronine (T3) stimulates the growth of Morris Hepatoma cells grown in culture

Cell cultures prepared from transplanted Morris Hepatoma #44 and host liver were grown in media containing 10% fetal calf serum depleted of iodothyronines. Addition of 200 nM triiodothyronine significantly stimulated the rate of cell replication and thymidine kinase activity of hepatoma cells. The responses of adult liver cells were similar but less marked. This study documents for the first time that the growth of hepatoma cells in vitro is thyroid dependent.