Effects of garlic oil on tumoragenecity and intercellular communication in human gastric cancer cell line

Previous studies have demonstrated that garlic oil (GO) and its anti-tumor compound could inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis in human cancer cells. In order to explore the effects of garlic oil on carcinoma cells, a gastric carcinoma cell line, BGC-823 was studied at cellular and molecular levels after garlic oil treatment. Data showed that the cell differentiation and suppression of tumorigenicity were significantly induced in tumor cells after garlic oil treatment. There was a correlation between the cell-cell communication recovery and the increase of p53 and waf1/p21 gene expression in garlic oil-treated cells. This result suggested that tumor suppressor gene waf1/p21 and wt p53 might play an important role in this effect.     

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cell lines: role of the p53 gene

We examined chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in four human gastric cancer cell lines, by analyzing the expression of p53 and its related genes. Treatment with 1mM 5-FU induced variable degrees of apoptosis in the cultured cells. The apoptotic indices 72 h after treatment were approximately 14% in MKN-74 (wild-type p53 gene), 12% in MKN-45 (wild-type), 3% in MKN-28 (mutated) and 0.5% in KATO-III cells (deleted), respectively. On the other hand, 50 M 5-FU had little effect on the induction of apoptosis in MKN-74 cells, the value being approximately 2% after 72 h. Induction of P53 expression was noted 3 h after initiating the treatment, followed by the induction of P21/Waf1 after 6 h in both MKN-74 and MKN-45 cells. The same expression mode was noted in MKN-74 treated with 50 M 5-FU. Conversely, the level of P53 expression was constant in MKN-28 cells and absent in KATO-III cells, in which P21/Waf1 had never been induced. The Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio was gradually elevated for up to 72 h in MKN-74 and MKN-45 cells treated with 1mM 5-FU; in contrast, it was unchanged in MKN-28 and KATO-III cells, and MKN-74 treated with 50 M 5-FU. These results might indicate that (1) 1mM 5-FU induces apoptosis in cultured gastric cancer cells carrying the wild-type p53 gene, but not those carrying the mutated type or a gene deletion, and (2) the elevated Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio plays a more crucial role than the higher expression of P21/Waf1 in the induction of p53- gene dependent apoptosis.     

Senescence-like changes induced by expression of p21Waf1/Cip1 in NIH3T3 cell line

P21Waf1/Cip1 is a potent cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. As a downstream mediator of p53, p21Waf1/cip1involves in cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis. Previous studies in human cells provided evidencefor a link between p21Waf1/cip1 and cellular senescence. While in murine cells, the role of p21Waf1/Cip1is indefinite. We explored this issue using NIH3T3 cells with inducible p21Waf1/cip1 expression. Induc-tion of p21Waf1/Cip1 triggered G1 growth arrest, and NIH3T3-p21 cells exhibited morphologic features,such as enlarged and flattened cellular shape, specific to the senescence phenotype. We also showed thatp21Waf1/Cip1-transduced NIH3T3 cells expressedβ-galactosidase activity at pH 6.0, which is known to bea marker of senescence. Our results suggest that p21Waf1/cipx can also induce senescence-like changes inmurine cells.     

Dihydroartemisinin induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823 through activation of JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, is associated with a broad range of biological properties including antitumor activity. However, the effect of DHA on gastric cancer has not been clearly clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of DHA in human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed with flow cytometry. The expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and their phosphorylated forms as well as apoptosis related proteins were examined by western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that DHA inhibited cell viability of BGC-823 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. DHA treatment upregulated the expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and -9, and degraded form of PARP, and downregulated the Bcl-2 expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Meanwhile, DHA increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Synthetic inhibitors of JNK1/2 or p38 MAPK kinase activity, but not inhibitor of ERK1/2, significantly abolished the DHA-induced activation of caspase-3 and -9. In vivo tumor-suppression assay further indicated that DHA displayed significant inhibitory effect on BGC-823 xenografts in tumor growth. These results indicate that DHA induces apoptosis of BGC-823 cells through JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways and DHA could serve as a potential additional chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of gastric cancer.     

人参皂苷Rg5对胃癌细胞周期和侵袭的影响及其机制

目的:观察ginsenoside-Rg5 (Rg5) 对胃癌细胞周期和侵袭的影响,并探讨其机制。方法:采用不同浓度人参皂苷ginsenoside-Rg3 (Rg3)和Rg5 (10、20、30、40、50 μmol/L) 处理人正常胃粘膜细胞GES-1和胃癌细胞株AGS、MKN-45 24 h,每个浓度设3个复孔。通过CCK-8检测细胞存活率。通过流式细胞仪检测细胞周期、Transwell小室分析迁移和免疫印迹法及ELISA法检测相关蛋白。结果:CCK8 实验结果显示人参皂苷Rg3和Rg5 对GES-1细胞无毒副作用,但可以抑制胃癌细胞AGS和MKN-45的增值。且Rg5抗胃癌细胞的活性强于Rg3。 20 μmol/L Rg5诱导MKN-45细胞发生S期阻滞通过降低CyclinA1/CDK2/PCNA 的表达和升高P21^CIPI蛋白表达。Rg5还可以抑制MKN-45癌细胞的迁移通过降低MMP2和MMP9的表达。WB结果显示Rg5抑制胃癌增殖及迁移主要是通过抑制Notch1蛋白的表达从而调控其下游的周期及侵袭相关蛋白。结论:Rg5抗胃癌细胞活性高于Rg3且通过调控Notch1通路抑制细胞增殖和迁移。     

The effect of simulated gastric environments on the anti-Helicobacter activity of garlic oil

Aims: To investigate the effects of simulated gastric conditions upon the anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of garlic oil (GO). Methods and Results: Time course viability experiments assessed the anti-H. pylori activity of GO (16 and 32 μg ml⁻¹) in simulated gastric environments. Rapid anti-H. pylori action of GO was observed in artificial gastric juice. Mucus (1–5%) was strongly protective of H. pylori both alone and in the presence of GO, but its protective effect was antagonized by GO. Peptone (5–15 g l⁻¹) caused a dose-dependent reduction in the anti-H. pylori activity of GO. Rapeseed oil (5·7–17 g l⁻¹) greatly diminished the anti-H. pylori activity of GO. Dextrin (44 and 133 g l⁻¹) exhibited direct anti-H. pylori effects and added to those of GO. Simulated meal mixtures decreased but did not eliminate the anti-H. pylori activity of 32 μg ml⁻¹ GO. Conclusions: The anti-H. pylori activity of GO was noticeably affected by food materials and mucin. However, substantial activity remained under simulated gastric conditions. Further investigation of the therapeutic potential of GO against H. pylori is therefore warranted. Significance and Impact of the Study: Garlic oil may be useful as an alternative treatment against H. pylori, a major cause of gastrointestinal infections in humans.     

B-RAF基因特异的siRNA干扰对胃癌BGC823细胞的影响

为探讨B-RAF基因特异的siRNA干扰对胃癌BGC823细胞的增殖和凋亡的影响, 设计并合成B-RAF小分子干扰RNA(B-RAF-siRNA)和阴性对照siRNA, 用TransMessenger介导转染胃癌BGC823细胞, RT-PCR分析检测胃癌BGC823细胞中B-RAF基因以及Bcl-2基因的表达; MTT检测胃癌BGC823细胞增殖情况; 流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况, 并与对照组进行比较。TransMessenger能够有效介导B-RAF-siRNA和阴性对照siRNA转染胃癌BGC823细胞, TransMessenger介导的B-RAF-siRNA有效地抑制胃癌BGC823细胞B-RAF以及Bcl-2基因的表达, 与对照组相比, 抑制率达90.0%以上, 最高达100%; 同时明显抑制胃癌BGC823细胞增殖; 促进胃癌BGC823细胞的凋亡(P < 0.01)。B-RAF基因特异的siRNA干扰能有效地抑制胃癌BGC823细胞中B-RAF基因以及Bcl-2基因的表达, 同时促进胃癌细胞凋亡和抑制胃癌细胞增殖。     

长链非编码RNA Linc00673过表达对胃癌MGC-803细胞增殖与凋亡的影响*

目的: 探讨长链非编码RNA Linc00673过表达对胃癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及其机制。方法: 将重组慢病毒表达质粒pLVX-Linc00673和对照空载体质粒pLVX-NC在293T细胞中进行慢病毒包装与扩增,将重组慢病毒转染胃癌细胞MGC-803建立稳定过表达 Linc00673的细胞系,实时荧光定量PCR方法检测Linc00673基因的表达; MTT实验和克隆形成实验观察细胞的生长增殖;流式细胞术检测细胞周期和细胞凋亡;qPCR检测细胞周期相关调控基因表达;免疫印迹法检测PI3K/Akt信号通路关键分子及肿瘤增殖相关蛋白的表达。结果: Linc00673在胃癌细胞系MGC-803、BGC-823和AGS中的表达量显著高于正常胃粘膜细胞GES-1(P＜0.05)。建立了稳定过表达Linc00673的MGC-803细胞系,Linc00673的表达量比对照空载体组高200倍。Linc00673过表达促进MGC-803细胞增殖和克隆形成(P＜0.05),抑制细胞凋亡并影响细胞周期G1→S期进程(P＜0.01);Linc00673过表达可影响MGC-803细胞周期调节基因CCNG2、p19和CDK1的表达;免疫印迹结果显示,Linc00673过表达不仅促进PI3K/Akt信号通路关键分子pAKT及其下游靶点NF-κB和Bcl-2蛋白的表达,而且上调肿瘤相关因子β-catenin和EZH2蛋白的表达。结论: Linc00673过表达可能通过PI3K/Akt信号通路促进MGC-803细胞增殖、抑制凋亡。     

Evidence that low doses of Taxol enhance the functional transactivatory properties of p53 on p21 waf promoter in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

In the present study, we evidence how in breast cancer cells low doses of Taxol for 18 h determined the upregulation of p53 and p21 waf expression concomitantly with a decrease of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. P53 and its gene product, the mdm2 protein, in treated cells exhibits a prevalent nuclear compartmentalization, thus potentiating p53 transactivatory properties. Indeed, the most important finding of this study consists with the evidence that Taxol at lower concentrations is able to produce the activation of p21 promoter via p53. Prolonged exposure of MCF-7 cells to Taxol (48 h) resulted in an increased co-association between p21 and PCNA compared to control and this well fits with the simultaneous block of cell cycle into the G2/M phase.     

miR-148a promoted cell proliferation by targeting p27 in gastric cancer cells

Accumulating evidence has shown that miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in human gastric cancer and crucial to tumorigenesis. Herein, we identified the role of miR-148a in gastric cell proliferation. miR-148a knockdown inhibited cell proliferation in gastric cancer cell lines. Conversely, miR-148a overexpression promoted cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. p27, a key inhibitor of cell cycle, was verified as the target of miR-148a, indicating miR-148a might downregulate p27 expression to promote gastric cell proliferation. Moreover, we confirmed that miR-148a expression was frequently and dramatically downregulated in human advanced gastric cancer tissues, and observed a good inverse correlation between miR-148a and p27 expression in tumor samples. Thus, our results demonstrated that miR-148a downregulation might exert some sort of antagonistic function in cell proliferation, rather than promote cell proliferation in gastric cancer.     

Stimulation of cell growth and proliferation in NIH-3T3 cells by onion and garlic oils

Onion and garlic oil were seen to shorten the cell-doubling time and stimulate the growth and proliferation of NIHY-3T3 cells. FNollowing treatment with either onion or garlic oil, an increase in the growth rate and almost a 2-fold increase in cell number over the control was observed within a 24-hour period. Phorbol myristate acetate when given simultaneously with either oil appeared to nullify both effects. FNollowing exposure to low doses (< 10 µm/ml) of either oil, an increase in cell survival, not seen with the oil control tricaprylin, was observed following a 5-day exposure period. At higher concentrations cell survival decreased proportionately in all cases. The appearance of multinucleated cells, which increased with dose and time, was also observed following treatment with both garlic and onion oil.Abbreviations EMEMM Eagles Minimal Essential Medium - MCN mean cell number - PMA phorbol myristateacetate - RCE relative cloning efficiency - SEM standard error of the mean     

不同浓度桦木酸对人胃癌MGC-803细胞凋亡的影响

目的: 以人胃癌MCG-803细胞为实验材料,探讨不同浓度桦木酸(BA)对人胃癌MGC-803细胞凋亡的影响,为其临床应用提供依据。方法: 将人胃癌MGC-803细胞分成 4 组,每组设置 3 个复孔,对照组为未加入桦木酸的 MGC-803 细胞,3 组实验组分别加入终浓度为10、20、30 μg/ml桦木酸处理细胞48 h后,通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察各组细胞形态变化;检测桦木酸对细胞Caspase-3和Caspase-9活性的影响;利用流式细胞术检测细胞线粒体膜电位变化;qRT-PCR和Western blot检测凋亡相关基因Caspase-3、Caspase-9和Cytochrome C(Cyt c)mRNA及蛋白水平的表达变化。结果: 与对照组比较, 各处理组Caspase-3和Caspase-9活性显著升高(P＜0.01),线粒体膜电位显著下降(P＜0.01),Caspase-3、Caspase-9和Cyt c mRNA及蛋白表达均显著上调(P＜0.01)。结论: 在终浓度为10 ~30 μg/ml浓度范围内,桦木酸通过调节Caspase-3、Caspase-9和Cyt c的表达诱导人胃癌MGC-803细胞凋亡。     

二氢杨梅素对人胃癌MKN45细胞迁移和侵袭的影响及其机制*

目的:探讨二氢杨梅素(DHM )对人胃癌MKN45细胞迁移和侵袭的作用及其分子机制。方法:培养人低分化胃癌MKN45细胞,用不同浓度的DHM(0,10,20,30,40,50 μmol/L)分别处理细胞24及48 h,每组实验重复3次,采用CCK8实验检测癌细胞增殖活力;划痕实验检测细胞迁移能力;Transwell小室检测细胞侵袭能力;免疫印迹分析细胞迁移和侵袭相关蛋白表达情况。结果:不同浓度DHM干预可降低MKN45细胞活力。20,30及40 μmol/L的DHM处理48 h可明显抑制细胞的迁移能力(P＜0.01)和侵袭能力(P＜0.05及0.01)。20及30 μmol/L的DHM处理48 h可增加E-cadherin蛋白表达(P＜0.01)、降低Vimentin表达(P＜0.01),从而逆转EMT过程;10,20及30 μmol/L的DHM处理48 h可明显降低pJNK的活性表达水平(P＜0.05及0.01),及MMP-2蛋白表达(P＜ 0.01);JNK通路特异性抑制剂SP600125预处理可明显促进DHM对癌细胞侵袭能力的抑制作用(P＜0.01)及降低MMP-2表达(P＜0.01)。结论:DHM具有抑制人胃癌MKN45细胞的迁移及侵袭的作用,其机制可能与通过JNK通路下调MMP-2蛋白表达水平、逆转上皮间质转化有关。     

The association of garlic with Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background

Garlic may be protective against Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer development. We conducted this study to quantitatively update evidence on garlic intake and gastric cancer with the inclusion of most recent cohort studies and qualitatively summarize epidemiological studies of garlic consumption and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Materials and Methods

PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library were searched on April 2018. We conducted a meta‐analysis to determine whether garlic intake reduced gastric cancer risk using random‐effect models and a systematic review to summarize evidence on the association between garlic consumption and Helicobacter pylori infection. Risk of bias was assessed using tools of Cochrane risk of bias and Robins‐I for randomized and nonrandomized studies, respectively.

Results

Meta‐analysis of 18 studies (142 921 subjects) demonstrated high garlic consumption (as comparing the highest category to the lowest) was associated with a reduced gastric cancer risk (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.44‐0.57). This association became nonsignificant if only derived from the prospective studies (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.66‐1.24). Thirteen studies (4889 participants) were included in the systematic review for garlic consumption and Helicobacter pylori infection; ten of which found no significant results. The majority of these studies were poor in quality given the small sample size and high risk of bias.

Conclusions

Pooled evidence, mainly from case‐control studies, suggested a significant inverse association of garlic intake with gastric cancer risk. Given the limitations of included studies, current epidemiological evidence is not sufficient to reach any definite conclusion regarding the association of garlic with Helicobacter pylori infection.     

Methionine cytotoxicity in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7

Summary Among the first nutrients to be linked to cancer were methyl group containing nutrients including methionine. Methionine and its metabolic derivatives are essential components in several indispensable biological reactions including protein synthesis, polyamine synthesis, and many transmethylation reactions. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which methionine excess affects the proliferation and gene expression of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Cells were first grown in control medium; the medium was then replaced with either control or methionine-supplemented treatment media. We found that 5 and 10 g/L methionine significantly suppressed cell growth on day 1, and no further growth was detected after 3 d of treatment. Cell, proliferation in the methionine treated group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Northern analysis revealed that expression of p53 in methionine-treated MCF-7 cells was approximately 70% lower than that of control cells. p53 is a key cell cycle regulatory, protein that has been implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Alteration of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most common genetic change found in a wide variety of malignancies, including cancer. This study shows that excess methionine (5 g/L) inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and down regulation of p53 is correlated with this inhibition. These findings may aid in the development of nutritional strategies for breast cancer therapy.     

Increased gap junctional intercellular communication is directly related to the anti-tumor effect of all-trans-retinoic acid plus tamoxifen in a human mammary cancer cell line

Additive effects against tumor cells might be achieved by combining anti-neoplastic agents directed against one or more altered mechanisms in cancer. We investigated the participation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), which is commonly dysfunctional in tumor cells as a possible mediating mechanism of the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) and tamoxifen (Tx) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines. The combination of RA + Tx stimulated GJIC in approximately 53 +/- 3% of MCF-7 cells as early as after 6 h of treatment remaining communicated through 144 h of culture. The GJIC enhancement occurred along with immunolocalization of Cx26 and 43 at the membrane of contacting cells and correlated with higher protein levels. Cx40 immunoreactive plaques were detected at cell-to-cell contacts during 48 h of RA + Tx treatment that did not involve higher protein expression, to the contrary, a downregulation occurred after 72 h of treatment. Cell proliferation inhibition upon RA + Tx exposure was observed with optimal effects at 96-120 h of culture with an accumulation of cells primarily in G2/M and G0/G1 cell cycle boundaries. An enhancement of the pre-existing E-cadherin levels was observed after drug exposure along with a downregulation of Bcl-2 and C-myc protein levels and a reduction of telomerase activity, suggesting partial tumor phenotype reversion. Blockage of the RA + Tx-induced GJIC with 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (beta-Gly) prevented in 34% the inhibition of MCF-7 proliferation and the E-cadherin increment in 30% at 96 h of culture. GJIC blockage did not alter the downregulation of Bcl-2, c-Myc, or telomerase activity induced by RA + Tx. Our results showed the participation of GJIC as a mediator mechanism of the combined action of RA and Tx in MCF-7 cells. The chemopreventive modulation of GJIC might represent an approachable alternative for the improvement of cancer therapy.