Galactosylated nanostructured lipid carriers for delivery of 5-FU to hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of the present study was to design a targeted delivery system of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lactobionic acid (LB) was conjugated to stearyl amine (SA) by a chemical reaction. The nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), containing LB conjugate, lecithin, glyceryl monostearate, oil [oleic acid (OA) or Labrafac 5 or 10%], and 5-FU, were dissolved in alcohol/acetone, the oil phase was added to the aqueous phase containing Tween 80 or Solutol(?) HS15 (0.25 or 0.5%), and NLCs were prepared by an emulsification-solvent diffusion method. Physical properties and drug release were studied in NLCs. The thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay was used to study the cytotoxicity of NLCs on HepG(2) cells, and the cellular uptake of NLCs was determined by flow cytometry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and (1)H-NMR spectra confirmed the successful conjugation of LB and SA. The optimized NLCs consisted of 0.5% Solutol HS15 and 10% OA oil. The particle size of these nanoparticles was 139.2 nm, with a zeta potential of -18 mV, loading efficiency of 34.2%, release efficiency after 2 hours of the release test was 72.6%, and crystallinity was 0.63%. The galactosylated NLCs of 5-FU were cytotoxic on the HepG(2) cell line in a half concentration of 5-FU and seems promising in reducing 5-FU dose in HCC.     

NPR1-dependent salicylic acid signaling is not involved in elevated CO2-induced heat stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Elevated CO₂ can protect plants from heat stress (HS); however, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we used a set of Arabidopsis mutants such as salicylic acid (SA) signaling mutants nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (npr1-1 and npr1-5) and heat-shock proteins (HSPs) mutants (hsp21 and hsp70-1) to understand the requirement of SA signaling and HSPs in elevated CO₂-induced HS tolerance. Under ambient CO₂ (380 µmol mol⁻¹) conditions, HS (42°C, 24 h) drastically decreased maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) in all studied plant groups. Enrichment of CO₂ (800 µmol mol⁻¹) with HS remarkably increased the Fv/Fm value in all plant groups except hsp70-1, indicating that NPR1-dependent SA signaling is not involved in the elevated CO₂-induced HS tolerance. These results also suggest an essentiality of HSP70-1, but not HSP21 in elevated CO₂-induced HS mitigation.     

Thyroid hormone receptors and stimulation of angiotensinogen production in HepG2 cells

Summary Binding characteristics and effects of 3,5,-3′-triiodo-l-thyronine (T₃) on angiotensinogen production in HepG₂ were studied in serum-free medium. Binding was performed on intact cells and on partially purified isolated nuclei using [¹²⁵I]T₃. Scatchard plots revealed one class of high affinity binding sites with a K_d of approximately 80 pmol/liter. Calculation of maximum binding showed that HepG₂ possess approximately 1000 binding sites per cell. Unlabeled T₃ and T₄ competed for binding sites on intact HepG₂ with 50% inhibition of [¹²⁵I]T₃ binding at approximately 3.0 and 38.0 pmol/liter, respectively. The HepG₂ showed a dose-dependent increase in angiotensinogen production in serum-free medium which was maximal at 10⁻⁵ mol/liter (two-fold increase/10⁶ cells/24 h) and had an EC₅₀ of approximately 5.0×10⁻⁸ mol/liter. T₃ also produced after 24 h a dose-dependent increase in DNA highly correlated with T₃ applied (r=0.88,P<0.01). In conclusion, this study shows that HepG₂ possess specific high affinity binding sites for T₃ and that T₃ stimulates angiotensinogen production and DNA synthesis in these cells. Dr. Darby is supported by INSERM (France)/NH and MRC (Australia) exchange fellowship.     

Evaluation of the in vitro differential protein adsorption patterns of didanosine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for potential targeting to the brain

The preferential in vitro adsorption of apolipoprotein E (Apo E) onto the surface of colloidal drug carriers may be used as a strategy to evaluate the in vivo potential for such systems to transport drugs to the brain. The aim of this research was to investigate the in vitro protein adsorption patterns of didanosine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (DDI-NLCs), using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE), in order to establish the potential for NLCs to deliver DDI to the brain. NLC formulations were manufactured using high-pressure homogenization using a lipid matrix consisting of a mixture of Precirol^® ATO 5 and Transcutol^® HP. The 2-D PAGE analysis revealed that NLCs in formulations stabilized using Solutol^® HS 15 alone or with a ternary surfactant system consisting of Solutol^® HS 15, Tween^® 80, and Lutrol^® F68, preferentially adsorbed proteins, such as Apo E. Particles stabilized with Tween^® 80 and Lutrol^® F68 did not adsorb Apo E in these studies, which could be related to the relatively large particle size and hence small surface area observed for these NLCs. These findings have revealed that DDI-loaded NLCs may have the potential to deliver DDI to the brain in vivo and, in addition, to Tween^® 80, which has already been shown to have the ability to facilitate the targeting of colloidal drug delivery systems to the brain. Solutol^® HS 15–stabilized nanoparticles may also achieve a similar purpose.     

Aluminum chloride causes 5-fluorouracil resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

Chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles in chemotherapy-based hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) intervention. Aluminum (Al) is an environmental pollutant that plays a vital role in carcinogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. However, the effect of Al on chemoresistance remains unknown. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used antitumor drug. Therefore, we investigated the effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) on the chemoresistance of HepG2 cells to 5-FU and explored the underlying mechanisms of these effects. The results demonstrated that AlCl₃ pretreatment attenuated 5-FU-induced apoptosis through Erk activation and reversed 5-FU-induced cell cycle arrest by downregulating p-Chk2^Thr68 levels. In addition, AlCl₃ markedly increased the levels of proteins associated with cell migration, such as MMP-2 and MMP-9. Further investigation demonstrated that an Erk inhibitor (U0126) reversed the AlCl₃-induced decrease in apoptosis, enhancement of cell cycle progression, promotion of cell migration, and attenuation of oxidative stress. In summary, AlCl₃ induced chemoresistance to 5-FU in HepG2 cells. The present study suggests a potential influence of AlCl₃ on 5-FU therapy. These findings may help others to understand and properly address the resistance of HCC to chemotherapeutic agents.     

HDL3 binds to glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins to activate signalling pathways

Previous studies have indicated that in HepG₂ cells HDL₃-signalling involves glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored proteins. HDL₃-binding to HepG₂ cells was found to be enhanced by cellular preincubation with PI-PLC inhibitors and sensitive to a cellular preincubation with exogenous PI-PLC, suggesting that HDL₃ binds directly on GPI-anchored proteins to initiate signaling. Moreover HDL₃-binding was found to be partly inhibited by antibodies against the HDL-binding protein (Ab_HBP).HDL₃, when binding to HepG₂ cells, promoted the release in the culture medium of a 110 kDa protein that binds Ab_HBP, while a cellular preincubation with antibodies against the inositol-phosphoglycan (IPG) moiety of GPI-anchor (Ab_IPG), used to block lipolytic cleavage of the GPI-anchor, inhibits HDL₃-induced release of the 110 kDa protein in the culture medium.In [³H]-PC prelabeled HepG₂ cells, Ab_HBP were found to stimulate PC-hydrolysis and DAG generation within 5 min as did HDL₃ stimulation. Cellular preincubation with Ab_IPG was found to inhibit only the HDL₃-signal and not the Ab_HBP-signal, while a prior cellular pretreatment with PI-PLC from Bacillus cereus was found to inhibit the HDL₃-and Ab_HBP-signal. Moreover cellular preincubation with Ab_HBP for 1 h at 37°C was found to inhibit HDL₃-signalling pathways.Our results suggest that in HepG2 cells a 110 kDa protein, which could be HBP, can be anchored to the membrane via GPI, and can function in HDL₃-signalling pathways as binding sites.     

The anti-tumor effect of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells loaded with HSV-TK/GCV induced dying cells

Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene and dendritic cells (DC) have been used as the pioneering in cancer therapy. HSV-TK gene can induce apoptosis and necrosis in tumor cells in the presence of the non-toxic prodrug ganciclovir (GCV). We investigated the anti-tumor effect of DC vaccination by introducing dying cells from HSV-TK gene treatment as an adjuvant. HepG₂-TK cell line was established by transfecting human hepatoma cell line HepG₂ (HLA-A₂ positive) with HSV-TK gene. Dying tumor cells were generated by culturing HepG₂-TK cells with GCV. After engulfed dying cells efficiently, immature DCs (imDC) derived from human monocytes were fully matured and elicited marked proliferation and cytotoxicity against HLA matched HepG₂ cells in autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). It also implied that HepG₂ specific CTLs played an important role in the cytotoxicity which was primarily depended on Th1 responses. Given the feasibility of inducing dying cells by HSV-TK/GCV in vivo, our results suggest an effective method in clinical human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment by an in vitro model of applying HSV-TK gene modified human tumor cells integrated with DC vaccination.     

Oleic acid-induced Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets: is oleic acid an intracellular messenger?

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of oleic acid (OA) on intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization in human platelets. When applied extracellularly, OA produced a concentration dependent rise in cytosolic [Ca²⁺] [Ca²⁺]_cyt) when extracellular [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_ext was zero (presence of EGTA), suggesting that OA caused an intracellular release of Ca²⁺. Intracellular Ca²⁺ release was directly proportional to entry of OA into platelets and OA entry was indirectly proportional to [Ca²⁺]_ext. In permeabilized platelets, OA caused the release of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ from ATP dependent intracellular stores. Finally, our results show that thrombin stimulated the release of [³H]OA from platelet phospholipids. The saturated fatty acids stearic and palmitic acid did not stimulate an increase in [Ca²⁺]_cyt under these conditions, but the unsaturated fatty acid, linolenic acid produced effects similar to those of OA, suggesting specificity among fatty acids for effects on [Ca²⁺]_cyt. Taken together, our experiments suggest that OA which has been incorporated into platelet phospholipids was released intothe cytosol by thrombinstimulation. Our experiments also show that OA stimulates Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores. These results support the hypothesis that OA may serve as an intracellular messenger in human platelets.     

Ehrlich ascites tumor cell surface labeling and kinetics of glycocalyx release

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells spontaneously release cell surface material (glycocalyx) into isotonic saline medium. Exposure of these cells to tritium-labeled 4,4′-diisothiocyano-1,2′-dihenylethane-2,2′-disulfonic acid (³H₂DIDS) at 4°C leads to preferential labeling of the cell surface coat. We have combined studies of the kinetics of ³H₂DIDS-label release, the effects of enzymatic treatment, and cell electrophoretic mobility to characterize the ³H₂DIDS-labeled components of the cell surface. Approximately 73% of the cell-associated radioactivity is spontaneously released from the cells after 5 h at 23°C. The kinetics of release is consistent with the first-order loss of two fractions; a slow (τ_½ = 360 min) component representing 33% of the radioactivity, and a fast (τ_½ = 20 min) component representing 26%. The remaining 14% of the labile binding may reflect mechanically induced surface release. Trypsin (1 μ/ml) also removes approximately 73% of the labeled material within 30 min and converts the kinectics of release to that of a single component (τ_½ = 5.5 min). The specific activity (SA) of material released by trypsin immediately after labeling is 83% of the SA of the material spontaneously los in 1 h. However, trypsinization following a 2-h period of spontaneous release yields material of reduced (43%) SA. Neither ³H₂DIDS labeling nor the initial spontaneous loss of labeled material alters cell electrophoretic mobility. However, extended spontaneous release is accompanied by a significant decrease in surface charge density. Trypsinization immediately following labeling or after spontaneous release (2 h) reduces mobility by 32%. We have tentatively identified the slowly released compartment as contributing to cell surface negativity.     

Inhibition of eicosanoid release from synovial organ culture by incubation with tepoxalin and its acid metabolite

The pharmacological profile of a novel dual inhibitor, tepoxalin and of its carboxylic acid metabolite on cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways was evaluated by in vitro incubation with synovial tissue. Tissue specimens obtained at surgery in rheumatoid arthitis (RA, n=10) or osteoarthritis (OA, n=11) patients were incubated. Tepoxalin (10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁵ M) decreased eicosanoid release calculated in % of tyrode control for OA: LTC₄ to 71−33%, 6-keto-PGF_1a to 37−20%, PGE₂ to 29−6%. For RA: LTC₄ to 56−22%, 6-keto-PGF_a to 43−22%, PGE₂ to 57−32%. Similarly, its metabolite (10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁵ M) decreased release in OA: LTC₄ to 99 and 60%, PGE₂ to 42 and 20%, 6-keto-PGF_1a to 54 and 25%. In RA: LTC₄ to 81 and 45%, PGE₂ to 61 and 30%, 6-keto-PGF_1a to 46 and 18%. Significance (p<0.05) was achieved for all but 1 group (LTC₄, metabolite at 10⁻⁷M vs tyrode).In summary a marked and dose dependent decrease of LT and PG release was obtained when incubating the dual inhibitor tepoxalin and its active carboxylic acid metabolite with synovial tissue at doses expected to be reached in the joint during therapy.     

闽江口互花米草淤积作用对其自身和短叶茳芏残体分解及硫养分释放的影响

2016—2017年,以闽江口鳝鱼滩西北部互花米草(SA)入侵初期与短叶茳芏(CM)形成的典型交错带植物残体为研究对象,基于野外原位分解试验,通过设定无淤积强度(S_0,0 cm/a)、当前淤积强度(S_5,5 cm/a)和未来淤积增强(S_(10),10 cm/a)3种处理,模拟互花米草入侵初期导致的淤积作用对其自身以及短叶茳芏残体分解及硫养分释放的影响。结果表明,随着互花米草入侵导致的淤积强度的增加,互花米草和短叶茳芏残体的分解速率均明显降低;与S_0相比,二者在S_5与S_(10)处理下的分解速率分别降低49.09%(SA)、35.14%(CM)和56.36%(SA)、44.59%(CM)。随着淤积强度的增加,互花米草和短叶茳芏残体分解过程中的TS含量整体均呈增加趋势,且其对短叶茳芏TS含量变化的影响较为明显;互花米草和短叶茳芏残体在分解过程中均表现为不同程度的硫释放,但随淤积强度的增加,二者硫释放量均呈降低趋势,且在相同淤积强度下,前者的硫释放量要高于后者。不同淤积强度下残体分解速率及硫养分释放强度的差异不仅与分解环境中的EC密切相关,且与残体残留率、初始基质质量(C/N和C/S)以及淤积导致养分条件改变而对分解过程中残体基质质量的影响有关。研究发现,随着淤积强度的增加,两种残体的分解速率及硫释放强度均降低;但在相同淤积强度下,短叶茳芏残体的分解速率和硫释放量均大于互花米草。     

Preparation and Characterization of Fenofibrate-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Oral Bioavailability Enhancement

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) in improving the oral bioavailability of a lipid lowering agent, fenofibrate (FEN). FEN-loaded NLCs (FEN-NLCs) were prepared by hot homogenization followed by an ultrasonication method using Compritol 888 ATO as a solid lipid, Labrafil M 1944CS as a liquid lipid, and soya lecithin and Tween 80 as emulsifiers. NLCs were characterized in terms of particle size and zeta pote\ntial, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and physical state properties. Bioavailability studies were carried out in rats by oral administration of FEN-NLC. NLCs exhibited a spherical shape with a small particle size (84.9 ± 4.9 nm). The drug entrapment efficiency was 99% with a loading capacity of 9.93 ± 0.01% (w/w). Biphasic drug release manner with a burst release initially, followed by prolonged release was depicted for in vitro drug release studies. After oral administration of the FEN-NLC, drug concentration in plasma and AUC_t-∞ was fourfold higher, respectively, compared to the free FEN suspension. According to these results, FEN-NLC could be a potential delivery system for improvement of loading capacity and control of drug release, thus prolonging drug action time in the body and enhancing the bioavailability.KEY WORDS: bioavailability, fenofibrate, nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers     

Salicylic acid-induced physiological and biochemical changes in lemongrass varieties under water stress

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) treatment reduces the damaging action by water deficit on growth and accelerates a restoration of growth processes. The aim of the present work was to study the physiological and biochemical alteration induced by SA in lemongrass plants under stress conditions. Therefore, a pot culture experiment was conducted to test whether SA application at concentration of (10^?5 M) through foliar spray could protect lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud. Wats.) varieties (Neema and Krishna), subjected to drought stress on the basis of growth parameters and biochemical constituents, proline metabolism and quality attributes including citral content. The treatments were as follows: (i) 100% FC + 0 SA; (ii) 75% FC + 0 SA; (iii) 50% FC + 0 SA; (iv) 75% FC + 10^?5 M SA; and (v) 50% FC + 10^?5 M SA. The growth parameters were significantly reduced under the applied water stress levels; however, foliar application of salicylic acid (10^?5 M) improved the growth parameters in stress-affected plants. The plants under water stress exhibited a significant increase in activities of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase, and electrolyte leakage, proline content, free amino acid and in PEP carboxylase activity. Content and yield of essential oil also significantly decreased in plants that faced water stress. Thus, it was concluded that variety Neema is the more tolerant variety as compared to Krishna on the basis of content and oil yield and well adapted to drought stress conditions.     

Disulfiram Eradicates Tumor-Initiating Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in ROS-p38 MAPK Pathway-Dependent and -Independent Manners

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) play a central role in tumor development, metastasis, and recurrence. In the present study, we investigated the effect of disulfiram (DSF), an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase, toward tumor-initiating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. DSF treatment suppressed the anchorage-independent sphere formation of both HCC cells. Flow cytometric analyses showed that DSF but not 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) drastically reduces the number of tumor-initiating HCC cells. The sphere formation assays of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)⁺ HCC cells co-treated with p38-specific inhibitor revealed that DSF suppresses self-renewal capability mainly through the activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-p38 MAPK pathway. Microarray experiments also revealed the enrichment of the gene set involved in p38 MAPK signaling in EpCAM⁺ cells treated with DSF but not 5-FU. In addition, DSF appeared to downregulate Glypican 3 (GPC3) in a manner independent of ROS-p38 MAPK pathway. GPC3 was co-expressed with EpCAM in HCC cell lines and primary HCC cells and GPC3-knockdown reduced the number of EpCAM⁺ cells by compromising their self-renewal capability and inducing the apoptosis. These results indicate that DSF impaired the tumorigenicity of tumor-initiating HCC cells through activation of ROS-p38 pathway and in part through the downregulation of GPC3. DSF might be a promising therapeutic agent for the eradication of tumor-initiating HCC cells.     

The peculiarities of succinic acid production from rapeseed oil by Yarrowia lipolytica yeast

The process of succinic acid (SA) production represents the combination of microbial synthesis of α-ketoglutaric acid from rapeseed oil by yeast Yarrowia lipolytica VKM Y-2412 and subsequent decarboxylation of α-ketoglutaric acid by hydrogen peroxide to SA that leads to the production of 69.0 g l^?1 of SA and 1.36 g l^?1 of acetic acid. SA was isolated from the culture broth filtrate in a crystalline form. The SA recovery from the culture filtrate has certain difficulties due to the presence of residual triglycerides of rapeseed oil. The effect of different methods of the culture filtrate treatment and various sorption materials on the coagulation of triglycerides was studied, and as a result, the precipitation of residual triglycerides by acetone was chosen. The subsequent isolation procedures involved the decomposition of H₂O₂ in the filtrate followed by filtrate bleaching and acidification with a mineral acid, evaporation of filtrate, and SA extraction with ethanol from the residue. The purity of crystalline SA isolated from the culture broth filtrate achieved 97.6–100 %. The product yield varied from 62.6 to 71.6 % depending on the acidity of the supernatant.     

Daxx过表达对氧化应激诱导的肝肿瘤细胞凋亡的影响

死亡结构域相关蛋白Daxx可以敏化多种肿瘤细胞的凋亡过程,但对于肝肿瘤细胞株HepG2的影响未见报道．为了研究Daxx增加肝HepG2细胞对药物敏感性的影响及机制,为开发药物新的药理作用提供理论依据,分别转染pEGFP-C1和pEGFP-C1-Daxx这两个载体到HepG2细胞．实验分组如下：（1）正常对照组（未转染细胞组）;（2）pEGFP-C1空载体转染组（HepG2/GFP细胞）;（3）pEGFP-C1-Daxx表达载体转染组（nepG2/GFP-Daxx细胞）．筛选稳定细胞株,用逆转录聚合酶链反应检测mRNA的表达;用过氧化氢孵育24h诱导细胞凋亡,采用MTT法和流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,Western blot检测蛋白质的表达．经G418筛选稳定的细胞运用RT-PCR技术分析其mRNA,结果显示,转染绿色荧光蛋白Daxx表达载体的细胞Daxx的mRNA明显上调：用荧光显微镜观察到Daxx蛋白主要定位于细胞核．用过氧化氢诱导HepG2细胞凋亡,观察到过氧化氢呈浓度依赖性地抑制HepG2细胞活性．正常对照细胞、HepG2／GFP、HepG2／GFP-Daxx 3组细胞的IC50值分别是0．72、0．76、0．49mmol／L．并且运用流式细胞仪检测到HepG2／GFP-Daxx组细胞凋亡率明显高于转染空载体质粒组与未转染组（（42．9&#177;8．42）vs（27．3&#177;6．38）or（28．5&#177;4．71））．提示HepG2/GFP-Daxx细胞对过氧化氢的反应性较未转染细胞和HepG2/GFP敏感．还运用Western-blot检测到活化的caspase3在Daxx转染组细胞表达最强,达到（204．66&#177;19．68）％,而未转染和HepG2/GFP组细胞分别是（100&#177;3．1）％、（107．39&#177;20．1）％,进一步说明了Daxx可以增加HepG2细胞对于过氧化氢的敏感性．同时,观察到过氧化氢处理24h后,Daxx转染组细胞磷酸化的JNK表达明显高于空载体转染组和未转染细胞组．上述结果表明：a．Daxx可以增加肝HepG2细胞对过氧化氢诱导的细胞凋亡敏感性;b．Daxx蛋白敏化过氧化氢诱导的HepG2细胞凋亡可能与协同增加JNK活性有关．     

Novel Biochemical Pathways for 5-Fluorouracil in Managing Experimental Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rats

Five fluorouracil (5-FU) is extensively used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is well documented that 5-FU and its metabolites inhibit DNA synthesis through inhibition of thymidylate synthetase. Little is known about additional pathways for 5-FU in managing HCC. The present experiment was mainly designed to study possible biochemical pathways that can be added to 5-FU’s mechanisms of action. Four groups of rats constituted a control group (given saline only), a trichloroacetic acid group (TCA, 0.5 g/kg/day for 5 days, orally), a 5-FU-positive group (75 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally, once weekly for 3 weeks) and a TCA-treated with 5-FU group (24 h from last TCA dose). We executed both biochemical—serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), liver tissue contents of total glycosaminoglycan (TGAGs), collagen (represented as hydroxyproline), total sialic acid (TSA), free glucosamine (FGA) and proteolytic enzyme activity (as pepsin and free cathepsin-D—and histological examinations of the liver tissue. The results revealed histological changes such as central vein congestion and irregularly shaped, substantially enlarged, vesiculated and binucleated hepatocytes. The nuclei were mostly polymorphic and hyperchromatic, and several vacuolation was noticed in the cytoplasm encircling the nucleus with masses of acidophilic material. 5-FU greatly corrected these changes, except that some necrotic and cytotoxic effects of 5-FU were still shown. AFP was significantly elevated in TCA-intoxicated, but reversed in 5-FU-treated, groups. Increased proteolytic activity by TCA was reversed by 5-FU, which also restored TGAG contents to normal; but both TCA and 5-FU depleted collagen content. TCA significantly elevated FGA but depressed TSA; this action was reversed by 5-FU treatment. In conclusion, it is possible that proteolytic activity, expressed as upregulated pepsin and free cathepsin-D activities, is increased in HCC. This is accompanied by extracellular matrix macromolecular disturbance, manifested as decreased TGAGs, collagen and TSA, with marked increase in FGA liver tissue content. The elevated FGA with depressed TSA content of liver tissue may be attributed to a cancer-hampered N-acetylation of FGA into SA. 5-FU administration markedly depressed hepatic tissue proteolysis, possibly reactivated N-acetylation of FGA into SA and elevated TGAGs without stopping tissue fibrosis as collagen was not affected. This study explores additional pathways for the mechanism of action of 5-FU, through conservation of extracellular matrix composition in situ, inhibiting invasion and metastasis in addition to its DNA-disturbing pathway.     

Possible Involvement of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Phospholipase D Activation Induced by H2O2, but Not by Carbachol, in Rat Pheochromocytoma PC12 Cells

Abstract: We have previously reported that hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) induced a considerable increase of phospholipase D (PLD) activity and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in PC12 cells. H₂O₂-induced PLD activation and MAP kinase phosphorylation were dose-dependently inhibited by a specific MAP kinase kinase inhibitor, PD 098059. In contrast, carbachol-mediated PLD activation was not inhibited by the PD 098059 pretreatment whereas MAP kinase phosphorylation was prevented. These findings indicated that MAP kinase is implicated in the PLD activation induced by H₂O₂, but not by carbachol. In the present study, H₂O₂ also caused a marked release of oleic acid (OA) from membrane phospholipids in PC12 cells. As we have previously shown that OA stimulates PLD activity in PC12 cells, the mechanism of H₂O₂-induced fatty acid liberation and its relation to PLD activation were investigated. Pretreatment of the cells with methylarachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP), a phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) inhibitor, almost completely prevented the release of [³H]OA by H₂O₂ treatment. From the preferential release of OA and sensitivity to other PLA₂ inhibitors, the involvement of a Ca²⁺-independent cytosolic PLA₂-type enzyme was suggested. In contrast, to OA release, MAFP did not inhibit PLD activation by H₂O₂. The inhibitory profile of the OA release by PD 098059 did not show any correlation with that of MAP kinase. These results lead us to suggest that H₂O₂-induced PLD activation may be mediated by MAP kinase and also that H₂O₂-mediated OA release, which would be catalyzed by a Ca²⁺-independent cytosolic PLA₂-like enzyme, is not linked to the PLD activation in PC12 cells.     

Salicylic acid mitigates salinity stress by improving antioxidant defence system and enhances vincristine and vinblastine alkaloids production in periwinkle [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Catharanthus roseus</Emphasis> (L.) G. Don]

A pot experiment was conducted to find out whether the foliar spray of salicylic acid (SA) could successfully ameliorate the adverse effects of salinity stress on periwinkle. Thirty-day-old plants were supplied with Control; 0 mM NaCl + 10⁻⁵ M SA (T₁); 50 mM NaCl + 0 SA (T₂); 100 mM NaCl + 0 SA (T₃); 150 mM NaCl + 0 SA (T₄); 50 mM NaCl + 10⁻⁵ M SA (T₅); 100 mM NaCl + 10⁻⁵ M SA (T₆); 150 mM NaCl + 10⁻⁵ M SA (T₇). The plants were sampled 90 days after sowing to assess the effect of SA on stressed and unstressed plants. Salt stress significantly reduced the growth attributes including plant height, leaf-area index, shoot and root fresh weights, shoot and root dry weights. Increasing NaCl concentrations led to a gradual decrease in photosynthetic parameters and activities of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase. Ascorbic acid, total alkaloids and antioxidants enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase also declined in NaCl-treated plants. The plants, undergoing NaCl stress, exhibited a significant increase in electrolyte leakage and proline content. Foliar application of SA (10⁻⁵ M) reduced the damaging effect of salinity on plant growth and accelerated the restoration of growth processes. It not only improved the growth parameters but also reversed the effects of salinity. Total alkaloid content was improved by SA application both in unstressed and stressed plants. The highest level of total alkaloid content recorded in leaves of SA-treated stressed plants was 11.1%. Foliar spray of SA overcame the adverse effect of salinity by improving the content of vincristine (14.0%) and vinblastine (14.6%) in plants treated with 100 M NaCl.     

Exogenous salicylic acid stimulates physiological and biochemical changes to improve growth, yield and active constituents of fennel essential oil

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) is a high-value medicinal and essential oil bearing plant used extensively in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. A pot experiment was carried out in the natural conditions of net house to resolve whether the foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) might enhance the growth, yield and essential oil production of fennel. Plants were sprayed three times with SA. The first spray was carried out at 40?days after sowing (DAS); the second and third sprays were applied one and 2?weeks later, the plants were sprayed with deionised water (control) and different concentrations of SA (10^?5, 10^?4 and 10^?3?M). The foliar spray of SA at 10^?4?M significantly enhanced the vegetative growth (shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights), physiological and biochemical characteristics (chl ??a??, chl ??b??, total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, nitrate reductase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, leaf-N, -P and -K contents), yield characteristics (number of umbels and fruits, 1,000-seed weight and seed yield) and essential oil yield of fennel. GLC analysis revealed the significant increase in the components of essential oil, viz. trans-anethole (80.4?C84.7?%), methyl chavicol (2.3?C2.5?%) and fenchone (5.6?C7.9?%). It was concluded that foliar spray of SA at 10^?4?M might be employed for enhancing the plant growth as well as yield and quality of essential oil of fennel.