Vanadium complex: an appropriate candidate for killing hepatocellular carcinoma cancerous cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent human malignancy which its drug resistance is increasing world-wide. This project was designed to assess the anti-cancer effects of 4-bromo-2-(((5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl) imino) methyl) phenol ([IV(L)] complex) on the HepG2 cell line and also L929 cells, as normal cells. HepG2 and L929 cells were cultured in RPMI culture medium and the survival rates of the cells were determined after 24 and 48 h using MTT assay to find IC50 concentration of vanadium m, [IV(L)] complex. The early apoptosis and necrosis/late apoptosis were determined by means of annexin V/PI apoptosis detection kit. The results revealed that vanadium m, [IV(L)] complex induce early apoptosis higher in HepG2 cell line than L929 cells. The rates of necrosis/late apoptosis were also induced in HepG2 cells more than L929 cells. Based on the results, vanadium m, [IV(L)] complex might be considered as a safe new drug for treatment of HCC with low side effects on control liver cells.     

乳酸堆积和二氯乙酸钠对肝癌细胞凋亡及bax、bcl-2 表达 和caspase-3 活性的影响

目的：探讨乳酸堆积和二氯乙酸钠(DCA)对肝癌细胞(HepG2)凋亡和bax、bcl-2 表达及caspase-3 活性的影响。方法：通过体 外培养HepG2,建立稳定的体外培养模型,配制成终浓度分别为0 mmol/L、1.0 mmol/L、2.0 mmol/L、4.0 mmol/L、8.0 mmol/L的乳 酸培养液以及在不同浓度乳酸组中加入终浓度为10-3mmol/L DCA 培养液与HepG2共同培养,其中以0 mmol/L 乳酸组为对照 组。采用MTT法检测乳酸对HepG2 的抑制率,流式细胞仪检测乳酸和DCA 对HepG2的凋亡百分率,用Real-time PCR法测定 bax 及bcl-2 mRNA的表达,用免疫荧光法检测caspase-3 的活性。结果：乳酸对HepG2 的IC50值为13.6 mol/L,与对照组比较,随 着乳酸浓度的增加,HepG2 凋亡率增加,bax mRNA 表达升高,bcl-2 mRNA 的表达降低,caspase-3活性增加,其中1.0 mmol/L 乳 酸组与对照组比较(P>0.05),2.0 mmol/L,4.0 mmol/L 和8.0 mmol/L乳酸组与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。加入DCA 后,HepG2 凋亡减少,2.0 mmol/L 乳酸+DCA 组、4.0 mmol/L乳酸+DCA 组、8.0 mmol/L乳酸+DCA 组与同浓度的乳酸组比较, bax mRNA 表达减少（P<0.05）,bcl-2 mRNA 表达增加（P<0.05）,caspase-3 活性减低（P<0.05）。结论：乳酸可诱导HepG2凋亡,且随 着乳酸浓度的增高,HepG2 的凋亡率增加,其机制可能是通过对bcl-2 及bax mRNA 表达的改变以及激活caspase-3 活性而实现, DCA可以降低HepG2 凋亡,对乳酸堆积造成的HepG2凋亡有抑制作用。     

乳酸堆积和二氯乙酸钠对肝癌细胞凋亡及bax、bcl-2表达和caspase-3活性的影响

目的：探讨乳酸堆积和二氯乙酸钠（OCA）对肝癌细胞（HepG2）凋亡和bax、bcl-2表达及caspase-3活性的影响。方法：通过体外培养HepG2,建立稳定的体外培养模型,配制成终浓度分别为0mmol／L、1．0mmol／L、2．0mmol／L、4．0mmol／L、8．0mmol／L的乳酸培养液以及在不同浓度乳酸组中加入终浓度为10^-3mmol／LDCA培养液与HepG2共同培养,其中以0mmol／L乳酸组为对照组。采用MTT法检测乳酸对HepG2的抑制率,流式细胞仪检测乳酸和DCA对HepG2的凋亡百分率,用Real-time PCR法测定bax及bcl-2mRNA的表达,用免疫荧光法检测caspase-3的活性。结果：乳酸对HepG2的IC50值为13．6mol／L,与对照组比较,随着乳酸浓度的增加,HepG2凋亡率增加,baxmRNA表达升高,bcl-2mRNA的表达降低,caspase-3活性增加,其中1．0mmol／L乳酸组与对照组比较（P〉0．05）,2．0mmol／L,4．0mmol／L和8．0mmol／L乳酸组与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。加入DCA后．HepG2凋亡减少,2．0mmol／L乳酸＋DCA组、4．0mmol／L乳酸＋DCA组、8．0mmol／L乳酸＋DCA组与同浓度的乳酸组比较,baxmRNA表达减少（P〈0．05）,bcl-2mRNA表达增加（P〈0．05）,caspase-3活性减低（P〈0．05）。结论：乳酸可诱导HepG2凋亡,且随着乳酸浓度的增高,HepG2的凋亡率增加,其机制可能是通过对bcl-2及baxmRNA表达的改变以及激活caspase-3活性而实现,DCA可以降低HepG2凋亡,对乳酸堆积造成的HepG2凋亡有抑制作用。     

N-Nitrosopiperidine and N-Nitrosodibutylamine induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells via the caspase dependent pathway

The human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) exhibited a dose and time-dependent apoptotic response following treatment with N-Nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) and N-Nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA), two recognized human carcinogens. Our results showed a significant apoptotic cell death (95%) after 24 h treatment with NDBA (3.5 mM), whereas it was necessary to use high doses of NPIP (45 mM) to obtain a similar percentage of apoptotic cells (86%). In addition, both extrinsic (caspase-8) and intrinsic pathway (caspase-9) could be implicated in the N-Nitrosamines-induced apoptosis. This study also addresses the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as intermediates for apoptosis signaling. A significant increase in ROS levels was observed after NPIP treatment, whereas NDBA did not induce ROS. However, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) did not block NPIP-induced apoptosis. All these findings suggest that NPIP and NDBA induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells via a pathway that involves caspases but not ROS.     

Persian shallot, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium hirtifolium</Emphasis> Boiss,induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

This study investigated the potential of Persian shallot extract as an anticancer agent in HepG2 tumor cell line, an in vitro human hepatoma cancer model system. The inhibitory effect of Persian shallot on the growth of HepG2 cells was measured by MTT assay. To explore the underlying mechanism of cell growth inhibition of Persian shallot, the activity of Persian shallot in inducing apoptosis was investigated through the detection of annexin V signal by flow cytometry and expression of some apoptosis related genes such p21, p53, puma, caspase-8 family-Bcl-2 proteins like bid, bim, bcl-2 and bax were measured by real-time PCR in HepG2 cells. Persian shallot extract inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ value (inhibiting cell growth by 50%) was 149 μg/ml. The results of real-time PCR revealed a significant up-regulation of bid, bim, caspase-8, puma, p53, p21 and bax genes and a significant downregulation of bcl-2 gene in HepG2 cells treated with Persian shallot extract significantly. Therefore, this is the first report on an increased expression of bid, bim, caspase-8, puma, p53, p21 and bax genes and down regulation of bcl-2 gene indicating that the Persian shallot extract possibly induced the process of cell death through the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways and triggers the programmed cell death in HepG2 tumor cell lines by modulating the expression of pro-/anti-apoptotic genes. Furthermore, we showed that Persian shallot extract increased annexin V signal and expression, resulting in apoptotic cell death of HepG2 cells after 24 h treatment. Therefore, according to the results of this study, the Persian shallot extract could be considered as a potential candidate for production of drug for the prevention or treatment of human hepatoma.     

Apoptosis of L929 cells induced by tumor necrosis factor

We investigated the mode of TNF-dependent death of L929 murine fibroblasts and the influence of overexpression of bcl-2 family genes on this process. Based on morphological and biochemical data it has been shown that L929 cells died after TNF treatment by apoptosis irrespective of TNF dose and protein synthesis inhibition. Analysis of bcl-2 family gene transfectants revealed a down-regulation of TNF-induced apoptosis by bcl-2 and bclX overexpression, and an up-regulation by bax gene.     

Ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi prevents oxidative damage and neuroinflammation and memorial impairments in artificial senescense mice

Aging is a progressive process related to the accumulation of oxidative damage and neuroinflammation. We tried to find the anti-amnesic effect of the Scutellaria baicalens Georgia (SBG) ethanol extract and its major ingredients. The antioxidative effect of SBG on the mice model with memory impairment induced by chronic injection of D-galactose and sodium nitrate was studied. The Y-maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory function of mice. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and the content of malondialdehyde in brain tissue were used for the antioxidation activities. Neuropathological alteration and expression of bcl-2 protein were investigated in the hippocampus by immunohistochemical staining. ROS, neuroinflammation and apoptosis related molecules expression such as Cox-2, iNOS, procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, 8 and 9, bcl-2 and bax protein and the products of iNOS and Cox-2, NO, PGE2, were studied using LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells and microglia BV2 cells. The cognition of mice was significantly improved by the treatment of baicalein and 50 and 100 mg/kg of SBG in Y-maze test. Both SBG groups showed strong antioxidation, antiinflammation effects with significantly decreased iNOS and Cox-2 expression, NO and PGE2 production, increased bcl-2 and decreased bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression in LPS induced Raw 264.7 and BV2 cells. We also found that apoptotic pathway was caused by the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway with the decreased cleaved caspase-9 and unchanged cleaved caspase-8 expression. These findings suggest that SBG, especially high dose, 100 mg/kg, improved the memory impairments significantly and showed antioxidation, antiinflammation and intrinsic caspase-mediated apoptosis effects.     

Cytoxicity and Apoptotic Mechanism of Ruthenium(II) Amino Acid Complexes in Sarcoma-180 Tumor Cells

Over the past several decades, much attention has been focused on ruthenium complexes in antitumor therapy. Ruthenium is a transition metal that possesses several advantages for rational antitumor drug design and biological applications. In the present study, five ruthenium complexes containing amino acids were studied in vitro to determine their biological activity against sarcoma-180 tumor cells. The cytotoxicity of the complexes was evaluated by an MTT assay, and their mechanism of action was investigated. The results demonstrated that the five complexes inhibited the growth of the S180 tumor cell line, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 22.53 µM to 50.18 µM, and showed low cytotoxicity against normal L929 fibroblast cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the [Ru(gly)(bipy)(dppb)]PF₆ complex (2) inhibited the growth of the tumor cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by an increased number of Annexin V-positive cells and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Further investigation showed that complex 2 caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential; activated caspases 3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 and caused a change in the mRNA expression levels of caspase 3, caspase-9 as well as the bax genes. The levels of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bak were increased. Thus, we demonstrated that ruthenium amino acid complexes are promising drugs against S180 tumor cells, and we recommend further investigations of their role as chemotherapeutic agents for sarcomas.     

爪哇伪枝藻胞外多糖诱导皮肤癌细胞(A431)凋亡的研究

为探讨爪哇伪枝藻胞外多糖(Extracellular polymeric substances of Scytonema javanicum, EPS)诱导人表皮癌A431细胞凋亡及其对凋亡相关基因caspase-3、bcl-2和bax表达的影响,本实验利用MTT法检测细胞生长抑制情况;HE染色法及透射电镜进行形态学观察;单细胞凝胶电泳法(SCGE/彗星电泳)分析DNA受损情况;免疫组织化学法检测细胞内caspase-3、bcl-2和bax表达水平。结果显示EPS能显著抑制A431细胞增殖,并呈时间和剂量依赖性,作用96h的半数抑制浓度IC50为4.25mg/mL,并出现细胞凋亡的形态学改变;彗星电泳结果与对照相比6mg/mL EPS作用48h能引起A431细胞DNA严重损伤;免疫组织化学检测发现6mg/mL EPS作用72h能显著上调A431细胞内凋亡相关基因caspase-3和bax的表达,而下调bcl-2的表达。     

Metabolic oxidative stress elicited by the copper(II) complex [Cu(isaepy)2] triggers apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells through the induction of the AMP-activated protein kinase/p38MAPK/p53 signalling axis: evidence for a combined use with 3-bromopyruvate in neuroblastoma treatment

We have demonstrated previously that the complex bis[(2-oxindol-3-ylimino)-2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine-N,N']copper(II), named [Cu(isaepy)(2)], induces AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)-dependent/p53-mediated apoptosis in tumour cells by targeting mitochondria. In the present study, we found that p38(MAPK) (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase) is the molecular link in the phosphorylation cascade connecting AMPK to p53. Transfection of SH-SY5Y cells with a dominant-negative mutant of AMPK resulted in a decrease in apoptosis and a significant reduction in phospho-active p38(MAPK) and p53. Similarly, reverse genetics of p38(MAPK) yielded a reduction in p53 and a decrease in the extent of apoptosis, confirming an exclusive hierarchy of activation that proceeds via AMPK/p38(MAPK)/p53. Fuel supplies counteracted [Cu(isaepy)(2)]-induced apoptosis and AMPK/p38(MAPK)/p53 activation, with glucose being the most effective, suggesting a role for energetic imbalance in [Cu(isaepy)(2)] toxicity. Co-administration of 3BrPA (3-bromopyruvate), a well-known inhibitor of glycolysis, and succinate dehydrogenase, enhanced apoptosis and AMPK/p38(MAPK)/p53 signalling pathway activation. Under these conditions, no toxic effect was observed in SOD (superoxide dismutase)-overexpressing SH-SY5Y cells or in PCNs (primary cortical neurons), which are, conversely, sensitized to the combined treatment with [Cu(isaepy)(2)] and 3BrPA only if grown in low-glucose medium or incubated with the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor dehydroepiandrosterone. Overall, the results suggest that NADPH deriving from the pentose phosphate pathway contributes to PCN resistance to [Cu(isaepy)(2)] toxicity and propose its employment in combination with 3BrPA as possible tool for cancer treatment.     

Lentiviral-mediated RNAi targeting p38MAPK ameliorates high glucose-induced apoptosis in osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cell line

The p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway is an important signaling cascade involved in cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. High glucose activates p38MAPK pathway in different cells, including osteoblasts. In the present study, role of p38MAPK in high glucose induced osteoblast apoptosis and potential of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting p38MAPK as a therapy strategy have been reported. Lentiviral-mediated RNAi effectively reduced p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK expressions in osteoblastic cell line (MC3T3-E1) following high glucose (22 mM) induction. Inhibition of p38MAPK activity significantly suppressed high glucose induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cell and was confirmed by flow cytometry and ultra-structural examination by transmission electronic microscope. Inhibition of p38MAPK also significantly attenuates caspase-3 and bax protein expressions, but increased significantly bcl-2 expression as determined by Western blot analysis. The results suggested that p38MAPK mediates high glucose induced osteoblast apoptosis, partly through modulating the expressions of caspase-3, bax and bcl-2. Inhibition of p38MAPK with lentiviral-mediated RNAi or its specific inhibitor provides a new strategy to treat high glucose induced osteoblast apoptosis.     

CCL21/CCR7 prevents apoptosis via the ERK pathway in human non-small cell lung cancer cells

Previously, we confirmed that C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) promotes cell proliferation via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, but its role in apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines remains unknown. A549 and H460 cells of NSCLC were used to examine the effect of CCL21/CCR7 on apoptosis using flow cytometry. The results showed that activation of CCR7 by its specific ligand, exogenous chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), was associated with a significant decline in the percent of apoptosis. Western blot and real-time PCR assays indicated that activation of CCR7 significantly caused upregulation of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 and downregulation of pro-apoptotic bax and caspase-3, but not p53, at both protein and mRNA levels. CCR7 small interfering RNA significantly attenuated these effects of exogenous CCL21. Besides, PD98059, a selective inhibitor of MEK that disrupts the activation of downstream ERK, significantly abolished these effects of CCL21/CCR7. Coimmunoprecipitation further confirmed that there was an interaction between p-ERK and bcl-2, bax, or caspase-3, particularly in the presence of CCL21. These results strongly suggest that CCL21/CCR7 prevents apoptosis by upregulating the expression of bcl-2 and by downregulating the expression of bax and caspase-3 potentially via the ERK pathway in A549 and H460 cells of NSCLC.     

Developmental patterns of caspase-3, bax and bcl-2 proteins expression in the human spinal ganglia

The distribution of the bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 proteins was investigated in the cells of developing human spinal ganglia. Paraffin sections of 10 human conceptuses between 5th and 9th gestational weeks were analysed morphologically, immunohistochemically and by TUNEL-method. Cells positive to caspase-3 had brown stained nuclei or nuclear fragmentations. At earliest stages, 6% of ganglion population were caspase-3 positive cells. Later on, a significant increase in number of caspase-3 positive cells appeared, particularly in the ventral part of ganglia (12%), and subsequently decreased to 6%. TUNEL-positive cells had the same distribution pattern as caspase-3 positive cells. Bax-positive cells followed the developmental pattern similar to caspase-3 cells, changing in range between 20% and 32%. There were 8% of bcl-2 positive cells at earliest stages. They increased significantly in dorsal part of the ganglion during the 7th week (28%), and than dropped to 15% by the end of the 8th week. These findings suggest a ventro-dorsal course of development in human spinal ganglia. Number of bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 positive cells changed in a temporally and spatially restricted manner, coincidently with ganglion differentiation. While apoptosis might control cell number, bcl-2 could act in suppression of apoptosis and enhancement of cell differentiation.     

Exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA Electromagnetic Fields Affects the Apoptosis of Astrocytes via Caspase-3-Dependent Pathway

The usage of mobile phone increases globally. However, there is still a paucity of data about the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health. This study investigated whether EMF radiation would alter the biology of glial cells and act as a tumor-promoting agent. We exposed rat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA for 12, 24 and 48 h respectively, and found that EMF exposure had differential effects on rat astroctyes and C6 glioma cells. A 48 h of exposure damaged the mitochondria and induced significant apoptosis of astrocytes. Moreover, caspase-3, a hallmark of apoptosis, was highlighted in astrocytes after 48 h of EMF exposure, accompanied by a significantly increased expression of bax and reduced level of bcl-2. The tumorigenicity assays demonstrated that astrocytes did not form tumors in both control and exposure groups. In contrast, the unexposed and exposed C6 glioma cells show no significant differences in both biological feature and tumor formation ability. Therefore, our results implied that exposure to the EMF of 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA may not promote the tumor formation, but continuous exposure damaged the mitochondria of astrocytes and induce apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway with the involvement of bax and bcl-2.     

白藜芦醇对猪前体脂肪细胞凋亡的作用及机理

旨在研究白藜芦醇对猪前体脂肪细胞凋亡的作用,探讨其分子机制。以50 μmol/L、100 μmol/L、200 μmol/L、400 μmol/L白藜芦醇处理猪前体脂肪细胞,采用Hoechst 33258染色剂染色,光学和荧光显微镜分别观察细胞的形态学变化。semi-qRT-PCR和Western blotting方法检测凋亡相关基因sirt1、caspase-3、bcl-2、bax、p53、NF-κB的mRNA和蛋白的表达变化。结果表明,白藜芦醇处理后,前体脂肪细胞出现明显的细胞凋亡,伴随细胞体积缩小,染色质凝集,核质固缩等特征显现,与对照组相比200 μmol/L处理组细胞的凋亡率显著升高 (P＜0.05)。凋亡相关基因sirt1、caspase-3和bax的mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著上调 (P＜0.05),而bcl-2、p53、NF-κB等基因的表达水平明显下调 (P＜0.05)。进一步证实白藜芦醇特异性地增加sirt1的表达活性,而sirt1的上调影响caspase-3和bcl-2家族因子的活性,同时参与调控p53和NF-κB的转录表达。因此,推测sirt1调控凋亡相关因子表达是白藜芦醇诱导前体脂肪细胞凋亡的关键原因。     

Glycine attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis in mice

Glycine is a cytoprotector to protect cells against ischemic damage by counteracting neuronal depolarization. However, whether it can directly inhibit neuronal apoptosis is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that glycine could attenuate ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced cerebral infarction and improved neurological outcomes in mice. The protective effect of glycine was associated with reduction of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells, deactivation of phosphor-JNK, inhibition of caspase-3 cleavage, down-regulation of FasL/Fas, and up-regulation of bcl-2 and bcl-2/bax in the mouse I/R penumbra. The beneficial effect of glycine against oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) induced injury was also confirmed in SH-SY5Y cells as well as in primary cultured neurons, which was significantly dampened by knockdown of glycine receptor α1 (GlyR α1) with siRNA transfection or by preventing glycine binding with glycine receptor using a specific antibody against glycine receptor. These results suggest that glycine antagonize cerebral I/R induced injury by inhibiting apoptosis in mice. Glycine could block both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways for which GlyR may be required.     

重金属诱导细胞凋亡的分子机制

重金属诱导的细胞凋亡是一个十分复杂的过程,不同种类的重金属以及同类重金属离子的不同价态所诱导的凋亡效应及其分子机制不尽相同。目前的研究表明,重金属与DNA形成加合物而导致DNA损伤可能是引发细胞凋亡的重要步骤：多种重金属能通过激活内质网、线粒体钙通道,使Ca^2 释放进入细胞质而引发凋亡;重金属还能使细胞中ROS升高,在直接导致DNA损伤的同时,启动与线粒体相关的细胞凋亡信号通路。此外,ROS还能通过MAPKs增强JNK介导的：FasL和Fas表达,最终使caspase-3和caspase-7激活,从而促进凋亡的发生。重金属诱导细胞凋亡还涉及一系列重要基因和蛋白质的参与,包括促进凋亡的Src家族酪氨酸激酶、bax、fas和p53等基因及相关蛋白,抑制凋亡的Sp1锌指转录因子、bcl-2和myc等基因及相关蛋白。部分重金属如镉、锌等对细胞凋亡具有诱导和拮抗双重效应,其中拮抗效应主要是通过与自由钙离子协同进行的,而诱导效应则可能是通过调节caspase-3活性而实现的。     

Epigenetic modification involved in benzene-induced apoptosis through regulating apoptosis-related genes expression

Benzene is an established haematotoxic and genotoxic carcinogen. DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza (5-aza-2'-eoxycytidine) and histone deacetylase inhibitor, TSA (trichostatin A) are two kinds of key epigenetic modification reagents. Although apoptosis has been considered as the key cytotoxicity mechanism, the effects of these epigenetic reagents on benzene-induced apoptosis have not been reported. In this study, BMCs (bone marrow cells) from rats were incubated with benzene and then with either 5-aza, TSA alone or the combination of the two drugs. Apoptosis and mRNA expression were detected by annexin V/PI (propidium iodide) staining assay and real-time PCR, respectively. Results showed that benzene caused cell apoptosis accompanied with bcl-2 mRNA decrease, caspase-3 and bax mRNA increase. Moreover, benzene-induced apoptosis and the decrease of bcl-2 mRNA were both reversed by both 5-aza and TSA, but the role of TSA was significantly larger than 5-aza. More interestingly, these increases in benzene-induced caspase-3 and bax mRNA expression were obviously suppressed by 5-aza but not by TSA. In conclusion, 5-aza inhibited benzene-induced apoptosis through down-regulating of caspase-3 and bax and up-regulating bcl-2 mRNA expression, whereas the effect of TSA on apoptosis dominatingly affected bcl-2 mRNA expression, and 5-aza together with TSA had no synergic effect on benzene-induced apoptosis.     

Synergistic induction of apoptosis in A549 cells by dihydroartemisinin and gemcitabine

This report is designed to study the ability of the combined treatment with gemcitabine (Gem) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) to induce apoptosis in a non-small-cell lung cancer cell line (A549 cells). This combination treatment synergistically inhibited cell growth by inducing apoptosis, and this synergistic action was not associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although either Gem or DHA induced a significant increase in ROS generation, the combination treatment did not further enhance ROS level. Compared with single drugs, the combination treatment significantly potentiated Bak activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-9 and -3 activation, indicating the important role of the Bak-mediated intrinsic apoptosis pathway in the synergistic action, which was further verified by the significant prevention of the cytotoxicity of the combination treatment by inhibiting one of caspase-9, -3 and Bcl-xL or silencing Bak. In addition, the combination treatment also synergistically activated caspase-8, and inhibition of Fas and caspase-8 presented significant prevention on the cytotoxicity of the combination treatment, indicating that the Fas-caspase-8-mediated extrinsic apoptosis pathway partially participated in the synergistic action. Collectively, the present study demonstrates a strong synergistic action of the combined treatment with Gem and DHA in inducing apoptosis of A549 cells via both the Bak-mediated intrinsic pathway and the Fas-caspase-8-mediated extrinsic pathway.