脑益康对D-半乳糖和亚硝酸钠所致Alzheimer病小鼠模型的保护作用

目的:探讨脑益康(中药)对D-半乳糖(D-gal)和亚硝酸钠(NaNO2)所致阿尔茨海默病(AD)小鼠模型的保护作用.方法:采用D-gal和NaNO2腹腔注射建立AD小鼠模型.应用迷宫刺激器检测小鼠学习记忆能力,生化方法检测小鼠脑组织一氧化氮(NO)含量和单胺氧化酶-B(MAO-B)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)、Na -K -ATP酶及Ca2 -ATP酶活性; RT-PCR检测凋亡调控基因Bax、Bcl-2 mRNA表达情况.结果:脑益康(中药)能改善小鼠学习记忆能力,降低AD小鼠脑组织MAO-B活性,升高Na -K -ATP酶和Ca2 -ATP酶活性,抑制Bax mRNA的表达,上调Bcl-2 mRNA的表达.结论:脑益康(中药)对AD小鼠有一定保护作用,其机制可能与降低脑组织MAO-B活性,提高脑组织Na -K -ATP酶和Ca2 -ATP酶活性,调节Bcl-2 mRNA和Bax mRNA的表达,发挥抗氧化作用,减轻神经细胞损伤有关.     

栀子提取物ZG对副流感病毒1型感染后宿主细胞膜的影响

为了探讨栀子提取物ZG抗病毒作用的生物学机制,观察了栀子提取物ZG对副流感病毒1型(PIV-1)感染后宿主细胞膜电位、膜Na -K -ATP酶活性和膜流动性的影响。以氯化乙酰胆碱为阳性对照,采用荧光探针Di-BAC4(3)标记Hep-2细胞膜电位,借助流式细胞仪检测膜电位;定磷法,分光光度计检测Na -K -ATP酶活性;荧光探针NBD-C6-HPC标记细胞膜磷脂,以荧光漂白恢复法和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜检测膜流动性。结果显示:PIV-1感染后宿主细胞膜电位下降,处于超极化状态;膜Na -K -ATP酶活性显著增加,膜流动性显著降低。栀子提取物ZG作用后,对宿主细胞膜的超极化状态没有明显影响;对膜Na -K -ATP酶活性没有明显影响;而对膜流动性则有明显的恢复作用。阳性对照药乙酰胆碱能明显改善病毒感染后膜电位的超极化状态。PIV-1感染后膜电位、Na -K -ATP酶活性和膜流动性等细胞膜能态和功能的改变,可能为病毒感染的生物学机制之一;栀子提取物ZG可能是通过改善细胞膜流动性,维持细胞膜的正常功能来发挥抗病毒感染的作用,而与膜电位和膜Na -K -ATP酶活性等能态来源的环节可能无关。     

干扰TGFβRⅠ增加乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231对化疗药物的敏感性

转化生长因子β(transforming growth factorβ,TGFβ)与其受体(transforming growth factorβreceptor,TGFβR)结合激活下游信号通路,在肿瘤的发生发展和转移中具有重要意义,且已有迹象表明该通路可能介导肿瘤的化疗耐受.本研究构建了干扰转化生长因子βⅠ型受体(transforming growth factor receptor typeⅠ,TGFβRⅠ)的重组质粒pRNAT-U6.1/TGFβRⅠ-sh1,发现其可在mRNA和蛋白质水平均显著下调TGFβRⅠ的表达,P0.01.后将该干扰质粒转染乳腺癌细胞MCF-7/5Fu、MCF-7、MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-453,建立了稳定的乳腺癌TGFβRⅠ干扰模型;MTS法检测上述4种细胞模型对5-氟尿嘧啶(5-fluorouracil,5-FU)和紫杉醇(taxol,TAX)的敏感性.结果显示,MCF-7、MCF-7/5Fu和MDA-MB-453细胞在干扰TGFβRⅠ之后对5-FU和TAX敏感性并未发生改变;但是间质表型的MDA-MB-231细胞在干扰TGFβRⅠ之后对5-FU和TAX的敏感性显著增加.由此可见,干扰TGFβRⅠ的表达阻断TGFβ信号通路,进而显著增加间质型乳腺癌细胞对化疗药物的敏感性,这为临床乳腺癌治疗提供了一定的理论依据.     

葡萄籽原花青素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏Na~+-K~+-ATP酶活性的影响

目的探讨葡萄籽原花青素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用以及对肾皮质血管紧张素Ⅱ(ANGⅡ)和Na+-K+-ATP酶活性的影响。方法清洁级雄性SD大鼠,链脲佐菌素诱导大鼠糖尿病模型,随机将大鼠分为正常对照组、糖尿病组和葡萄籽原花青素治疗组,每组10只,葡萄籽原花青素治疗组使用葡萄籽原花青素500mg/(kg·d)灌胃,余给予等量生理盐水。4周后,检测血糖、血尿素氮、血肌酐和肾皮质Na+-K+-ATP酶活性,放免法检测24h尿微量蛋白、血浆和肾组织ANGⅡ。结果与正常组比较,糖尿病大鼠血糖、蛋白尿、血肌酐、血尿素氮升高,血浆和肾组织ANGⅡ升高,肾皮质Na+-K+-ATP酶活性降低;与DM组相比,葡萄籽原花青素治疗组微量蛋白尿、血肌酐、血尿素氮减轻,血浆和肾组织ANGⅡ降低,肾皮质Na+-K+-ATP酶活性升高。结论葡萄籽原花青素可用于治疗早期糖尿病肾病,可能通过改变Na+-K+-ATP酶活性保护糖尿病大鼠的肾脏。     

TGFB信号通路调节胰岛β细胞增殖的功能研究

该研究主要探讨了转化生长因子β(transforming growth factor β,TGFB)信号通路对胰岛β细胞增殖的影响。以Min6为细胞模型,使用TGFB信号通路激活剂TGFβ1、抑制剂SB-431542分别激活和阻断TGFB信号通路,采用CCK-8细胞活性检测法检测Min6细胞活性,并用流式细胞分选术(fluorescence activated cell sorting,FACS)检测Min6细胞中Ki-67阳性(Ki-67~+)细胞比例。最后用TGFβ1、SB-431542体外处理C57BL/6J小鼠胰岛48 h,免疫荧光检测小鼠胰岛中胰岛素、Ki-67双阳性(Insulin~+Ki-67~+)细胞数量。结果显示,使用TGFβ1处理Min6细胞、小鼠胰岛,Min6细胞活性下降,Ki-67~+ Min6细胞数量减少,小鼠胰岛中Insulin~+Ki-67~+细胞数量减少;使用SB-431542处理Min6细胞、小鼠胰岛,Min6细胞活性上升,Ki-67~+ Min6细胞数量增加,小鼠胰岛中Insulin~+Ki-67~+细胞数量增多。综上所述,抑制TGFB信号通路可促进胰岛β细胞的增殖能力,该研究为胰岛β细胞再生疗法的发展提供了理论支持。     

低温、高pH胁迫对水稻幼苗根系质膜、液泡膜ATP酶活性的影响

以耐冷性不同的两个水稻品种为材料,比较研究了幼苗根系质膜、液泡膜ATP酶对低温(8℃)及高pH(8.0)胁迫的反应。结果表明水稻根细胞质膜和液泡膜上均存在Ca3+-ATP酶,但活性远低于H+-ATP酶。耐冷品种武育粳3号经低温(8℃)处理2d,根系质膜和液泡膜H+-ATP酶、Ca2+-ATP酶活性均明显升高,至冷处理12d,H+-ATP酶、Ca2+-ATP酶活性有所下降,但仍与对照相近;而冷敏感品种汕优63经低温(8℃)处理2d,根系质膜H+-ATP酶活性略有升高,而质膜Ca2+-ATP酶以及液泡膜H+-ATP酶、Ca2+-ATP酶活性已明显下降;至冷处理12d,4种酶活性均明显低于对照。高pH胁迫使质膜和液泡膜H+-ATP酶活性下降,而使Ca2+-ATP酶活性上升。高pH胁迫会加剧低温冷害。结果表明,耐冷品种质膜、液泡膜ATP酶比冷敏感品种对低温胁迫有更强的适应能力。     

松油烯-4-醇对粘虫的致毒机制

采用华氏呼吸仪法、常规生化酶活力测定等方法,测定松油烯-4-醇熏蒸处理对粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)幼虫呼吸作用、血淋巴理化性状、体内酶系活性等的影响。结果表明,松油烯-4-醇显著地影响粘虫的呼吸作用,不同中毒阶段试虫的呼吸率均显著提高,呼吸商发生改变;血淋巴理化性状也发生一定程度的变化,血淋巴总量随中毒程度的加深呈下降趋势,兴奋期、痉挛期、昏迷期血淋巴总量分别为对照试虫的85.55%、70.39%、38.47%,血淋巴比重呈上升趋势,pH值和渗透压变化不大;体内Na+-K+-ATP酶的活性受到明显抑制,头部组织中Na+-K+-ATP酶活性的抑制率在兴奋期、痉挛期分别达36.4%、80.2%,中肠组织中Na+-K+-ATP酶活性的抑制率达50%左右,对乙酰胆碱脂酶活性影响不大,对酯酶则是先激活后抑制。松油烯-4-醇对Na+-K+-ATP酶活性的抑制可能与粘虫最终死亡有关。     

大鼠前脂细胞质膜Na+/H+交换同时参与细胞的增殖和分化

以原代培养的大鼠前脂细胞为模型, 以2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF)作为检测胞内pH(pHi)的荧光探针,测定不同生长因子刺激下胞内pH的变化,证明大鼠肾周前脂细胞质膜存在Na+/H+交换活性,胎牛血清(FCS)能快速激活Na+/H+交换, 导致pHi升高(约0.2 pH单位),并引起DNA合成.Ethyl-isopropyl-amiloride (EIPA)抑制Na+/H+交换与DNA合成.在无血清条件下,胰岛素不刺激DNA合成但引起细胞分化, 表现为胞内脂滴积累和3-磷酸-甘油脱氢酶(G3PDH酶)活性增强,同时激活Na+/H+交换活性导致pHi升高;EIPA既抑制胰岛素对Na+/H+交换的激活,也抑制G3PDH酶活性增强.结果证明:Na+/H+交换的激活不仅与大鼠前脂细胞增殖相关,同时也是细胞分化的早期事件.     

山药多糖对老年性痴呆小鼠抗氧化能力的影响

目的:探讨山药多糖对老年性痴呆小鼠抗氧化能力的影响。方法:采用三氯化铝复制痴呆小鼠模型,将50只昆明种小鼠随机分5组(n=10):对照组、模型组和山药多糖低、中、高剂量组,山药多糖剂量分别为100 mg/kg·d、300 mg/kg·d、500 mg/kg·d。治疗组用不同剂量山药多糖分别灌胃90 d。测定小鼠脑系数、脑组织丙二醛(MDA)含量、Na+-K+-ATP酶和Mg2+-ATP酶活性,以及血清氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性。结果:山药多糖能显著提高痴呆模型小鼠脑系数、Na+-K+-ATP酶和Mg2+-ATP酶活性、以及SOD和CAT活力;显著降低MDA含量。结论:增强脑组织ATP酶活性和提高机体抗氧化能力可能是山药多糖防治老年性痴呆的作用机制之一。     

幽门螺杆菌感染者CD4~+ CD25~+调节性T细胞的检测及其相关性分析

目的检测幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)感染阳性的胃部疾病患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)的百分含量及转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)的水平,探讨CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在H.pylori感染中的免疫调节作用及意义。方法采用流式细胞术检测H.pylori感染的慢性浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变和胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量、CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例;并采用ELISA方法检测H.pylori感染者血清中TGF-β1的含量,无H.pylori感染的患者作为阴性对照。结果 H.pylori感染的患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的百分含量及TGF-β1的水平较不伴有H.pylori感染的患者显著升高(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变及胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞的百分含量及CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的患者血清中TGF-β1水平也随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 H.pylori感染可增加CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平;随着病变严重程度的进展,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平逐渐升高,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞百分含量和TGF-β1水平可作为临床判断病情进展的指标。     

Transforming growth factor-beta1 enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis in mesenchymal stem cells

Angiogenesis is essential for transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most potent angiogenic factors identified to date. Elevated VEGF levels in MSCs correlate with the potential of MSCs transplantation. As an indirect angiogenic agent, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. However, the effect of TGF-β1 on VEGF synthesis in MSCs is still unknown. Besides, the intracellular signaling mechanism by which TGF-β1 stimulates this process remains poorly understood. In this article, we demonstrated that exposure of MSCs to TGF-β1 stimulated the synthesis of VEGF. Meanwhile, TGF-β1 stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Moreover, Ly 294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt significantly attenuated the VEGF synthesis stimulated by TGF-β1. Additionally, U0126, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2, also significantly attenuated the TGF-β1-stimulated VEGF synthesis. These results indicated that TGF-β1 enhanced VEGF synthesis in MSCs, and the Akt and ERK1/2 activation were involved in this process.     

Up-regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 gene expression by TGF-β in articular chondrocytes is mediated by serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases

The balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulates extracellular matrix turn-over in normal animal development, cancer cell metastasis, atherosclerotic plaque rupture and erosion of arthritic cartilage. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), an inducer of matrix synthesis, potently enhances mRNA and protein of a recently characterized MMP inhibitor, TIMP-3, in bovine articular chondrocytes. We examined the implication of protein kinases in the TGF-β-mediated induction of TIMP-3 expression by utilizing activators and inhibitors of these enzymes. Protein kinase A activators, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, or forskolin had little or no effect, respectively, while phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, increased TIMP-3 gene expression. H7, a serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor, markedly reduced the response of TIMP-3 gene to TGF-β. Furthermore, two protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and herbimycin A, inhibited TGF-β induction of TIMP-3. H7 and genistein also suppressed TGF-β-induced TIMP-3 protein expression. These results suggest that TGF-β signaling for TIMP-3 gene induction involves H7-sensitive serine/threonine kinase as well as herbimycin A- and genistein-sensitive protein tyrosine kinases. J. Cell. Biochem. 70:517–527, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

PKCδ phosphorylation is an upstream event of GSK3 inactivation-mediated ROS generation in TGF-β1-induced senescence

Abstract

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) induces Mv1Lu cell senescence through inactivating glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), thereby inactivating complex IV and increasing intracellular ROS. In the present study, we identified protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) as an upstream regulator of GSK3 inactivation in this mechanism of TGF-β1-induced senescence. When Mv1Lu cells were exposed to TGF-β1, PKCδ phosphorylation simultaneously increased with GSK3 phosphorylation, and then AKT and ERK were phosphorylated. AKT phosphorylation and Smad signaling were independent of GSK3 phosphorylation, but ERK phosphorylation was downstream of GSK3 inactivation. TGF-β1-triggered GSK3 phosphorylation was blocked by inhibition of PKCδ, using its pharmacological inhibitor, Rottlerin, or overexpression of a dominant negative PKCδ mutant, but GSK3 inhibition with SB415286 did not alter PKCδ phosphorylation. Activation of PKCδ by PMA delayed cell growth and increased intracellular ROS level, but did not induce senescent phenotypes. In addition, overexpression of wild type or a constitutively active PKCδ mutant was enough to delay cell growth and decrease the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate and complex IV activity, but weakly induce senescence. However, PMA treatment on Mv1Lu cells, which overexpress wild type and constitutively active PKCδ mutants, effectively induced senescence. These results indicate that PKCδ plays a key role in TGF-β1-induced senescence of Mv1Lu cells through the phosphorylation of GSK3, thereby triggering mitochondrial complex IV dysfunction and intracellular ROS generation.     

Protein kinase C mediates induced secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by human glioma cells

To understand how vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production is activated in malignant glioma cells, we employed protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors to evaluate the extent to which these protein kinases were involved in signal transduction leading to VEGF production. PTK inhibitors blocked glioma proliferation and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced VEGF secretion, while H-7, a PKC inhibitor, inhibited both EGF-induced and baseline VEGF secretion. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a non-specific activator of PKC, induced VEGF secretion by glioma cells, which was enhanced by calcium ionophore A23187, but completely blocked after prolonged treatment of cells with 1 microM PMA, by presumably depleting PKC. All inhibitors (genistein, AG18, AG213, H-7, prolonged PMA treatment) which inhibited EGF-induced VEGF secretion in glioma cells also inhibited cell proliferation at similar concentrations. However, PKC inhibition only blocked 50% of the VEGF secretion induced by growth factors (EGF, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, or basic fibroblast growth factor). This reserve capacity could be ascribed to a PKC-independent effect, or to PKC isoenzymes not down-regulated by PMA. These findings extend our previous assertion that VEGF secretion is tightly coupled with proliferation by suggesting that activation of convergent growth factor signaling pathways will lead to increased glioma VEGF secretion. Understanding of signal transduction of growth factor-induced VEGF secretion should provide a rational basis for the development of novel strategies for therapy.     

胆道闭锁患儿血清GPC3、TGF-β1和VEGF水平与肝硬度值和肝功能的关系研究

目的:研究胆道闭锁(BA)患儿血清磷脂酰肌醇蛋白聚糖3(GPC3)、转化生子因子β1(TGF-β1)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平与肝硬度值和肝功能的关系。方法:选择2016月3月-2019年3月期间在我院接受Kasai手术治疗的62例BA患儿作为研究对象(BA组),并根据总胆红素水平分为黄疸患儿(总胆红素≥34.2μmol/L)、无黄疸患儿(总胆红素<34.2μmol/L);另取同期在本院体检的50例健康儿童作为对照组。检测BA组患儿术后2个月、对照组儿童体检时的血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF及肝功能指标白蛋白(ALB)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)的水平及肝硬度值,采用Pearson相关分析血清GPC3、TGF-β1和VEGF水平与肝硬度值和肝功能的相关性。结果:BA组患儿的血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF、ALT、AST、GGT水平及肝硬度值均明显高于对照组(P<0.05),血清ALB水平与对照组比较无统计学差异(P>0.05);BA组中黄疸患儿的血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF、ALT、AST、GGT水平及肝硬度值均明显高于无黄疸患儿,血清ALB水平明显低于无黄疸患儿(P<0.05);BA组中血清GPC3、TGF-β1、VEGF水平与血清ALT、AST、GGT水平及肝硬度值呈正相关(P<0.05),与血清ALB水平呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论:BA患儿术后GPC3、TGF-β1和VEGF的升高与肝纤维化进程、肝功能破坏有关,未来可能成为研究BA术后肝纤维化发生机制的靶点。     

Mcl-1 调控NSCLC 对EGFR-TKIs敏感性的实验研究

目的:探讨人髓细胞白血病基因-1(myeloid cell leukemia-1,Mcl-1)是否参与调控非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)对EGFR-TKIs的敏感性,为非小细胞肺癌的治疗提供新的思路。方法:通过Western blot方法检测EGFR-TKIs敏感细胞H3255和耐药细胞H1975中Mcl-1蛋白的表达水平。分别给予敏感细胞H3255和耐药细胞H1975 EGFR-TKIs处理后检测细胞凋亡情况和Mcl-1蛋白表达水平。设计并合成特异性si RNA下调耐药细胞H1975中Mcl-1的表达,采用脂质体转染后通过流式细胞技术检测细胞的凋亡情况。结果:H3255细胞Mcl-1表达水平明显低于H1975细胞。一代EGFR-TKIs Gefitinib显著降低H3255细胞Mcl-1表达而不能减少H1975细胞Mcl-1表达。H1975细胞经二代EGFR-TKIs Afatinib和三代EGFR-TKIs AZD9291处理后Mcl-1表达明显减少。特异性si RNA下调H1975细胞Mcl-1表达可以促进细胞凋亡。结论:Mcl-1参与了调节NSCLC对EGFR-TKIs的敏感性,可能成为防止或逆转NSCLC对EGFR-TKIs耐药的潜在靶点。     

Chidamide alleviates TGF-β-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cell lines

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition is a critical process in the initiation of metastasis of various types of cancer. Chidamide is a class I histone deacetylase inhibitor with anti-tumor activity. This study investigated the effects of chidamide on TGF-β-mediated suppression of E-cadherin expression in adenocarcinomic lung epithelial cells and the molecular mechanisms involved in these effects. Western blot analysis, confocal microscopy, Quantitative methyl-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing were used to evaluate the effects of different treatments on chidamide ameliorating TGF-β induced-E-cadherin loss. H3 acetylation binding to the promoter of E-cadherin was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitations (CHIP). We found that chidamide reduced the level of lung cancer cell migration observed using a Boyden chamber assay (as an indicator of metastatic potential). Chidamide inhibited TGF-β-induced SMAD2 phosphorylation and attenuated TGF-β-induced loss of E-cadherin expression in lung cancer cells by Western blotting and confocal microscopy, respectively. Quantitative methyl-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing revealed that TGF-β-enhanced E-cadherin promoter methylation was ameliorated in cells treated with chidamide. We demonstrated that histone H3 deacetylation within the E-cadherin promoter was required for TGF-β-induced E-cadherin loss; cell treatment with chidamide increased the H3 acetylation detected by CHIP. Taken together, our results demonstrate that TGF-β suppressed E-cadherin expression by regulating promoter methylation and histone H3 acetylation. Chidamide significantly enhanced E-cadherin expression in TGF-β-treated cells and inhibited lung cancer cell migration. These findings indicate that chidamide has a potential therapeutic use due to its capacity to prevent cancer cell metastasis.     

Damage-associated molecular patterns in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: potentially novel therapeutic targets

Albendazole (ABZ) has an anti-tumor ability and inhibits HIF-1α activity. HIF-1α is associated with glycolysis and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) expression, which plays an important role in cancer progression. These clues indicate that ABZ exerts an anti-cancer effect by regulating glycolysis and VEGF expression. The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of ABZ on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. The expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF were detected using western blot analysis, and the effect of ABZ on glycolysis was evaluated by measuring the relative activities of hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and detecting the production of lactate in A549 and H1299 cells. The results showed that ABZ decreased the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF and suppressed glycolysis in under hypoxia, but not normoxic condition. Inhibiting HIF-1α also suppressed glycolysis and VEGF expression. Additionally, ABZ inhibited the volume and weight, decreased the relative activities of HK, PK, and LDH, and reduced the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF of A549 xenografts in mouse models. In conclusion, ABZ inhibited growth of NSCLC cells by suppressing HIF-1α-dependent glycolysis and VEGF expression.     

Catalpol inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human non–small-cell lung cancer cells through the inactivation of Smad2/3 and NF-κB signaling pathways

Catalpol, one of the main active ingredients isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa, was reported to possess anticancer activity. However, the role of catalpol in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells has not been elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of catalpol on EMT in human NSCLC cells. Our results showed that catalpol significantly inhibited the TGF-β1-induced cell migration and invasion of A549 cells, as well as repressed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 expression induced by TGF-β1 in A549 cells. In addition, catalpol markedly repressed the EMT process in A549 cells in response to TGF-β1. Furthermore, catalpol prevented the activation of Smad2/3 and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways induced by TGF-β1 in A549 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that catalpol inhibits TGF-β1-induced EMT in human NSCLC cells through the inactivation of Smad2/3 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Thus, catalpol may be a promising agent for the treatment of NSCLC.