Inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil on ultra-microstructure and insulin secretion of pancreatic β cells

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanisms of β cell dysfunction induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in islet β cell line (NIT-1 cells). METHODS: The NIT-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of 5-FU. The content of insulin in the culture medium was determined by radioimmunoassay. Cell apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry with annexin V/PI staining. The ultra-microstructural changes of NIT-1 cells were observed under transmission electron microscope. The expression of pancreatic and duodenal homeobox protein 1(PDX-1) at mRNA and protein levels in NIT-1 cells was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Exposed to the low glucose concentration (5.6 mmol/L), insulin secretion in NIT-1 cells was not significantly decreased following a 24 h treatment with 5.0 to 40.0 mg/L 5-FU (P>0.05). On the contrary, the high glucose (16.7 mmol/L)-stimulated insulin secretion in NIT-1 cells was inhibited by 5.0 to 40.0 mg/L of 5-FU in a dose-dependent manner after 24 h of incubation (P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of NIT-1 cells was significantly increased as compared to those in the control levels(P<0.05). The structural changes of mitochondria were the main apoptotic changes under transmission electron microscope. Significant down-regulation of PDX-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was observed in NIT-1 cells treated with 5-FU at the concentration of 10.0 mg/L to 40.0 mg/L(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: 5-FU inhibits the insulin secretion in islet β cell induced by high glucose. A relative deficiency in insulin secretion following 5-FU treatment is related to the changes of β cell ultra-microstructure and the reduction of β cell numbers, by which an increase in apoptosis of pancreatic β cells is induced. Down-regulation of PDX-1 expression may play a pivotal role in increasing the apoptosis of pancreatic β cells induced by 5-FU in high-glucose condition.     

Effects of L-carnosine on NIT-1 islet cells

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of L-carnosine on insulin secretion, proliferation and apoptosis of β-cells impaired by high glucose. METHODS: NIT-1 cells were pre-treated with glucose at concentrations of 11.1 mmol/L (control level) and 33.3 mmol/L (high level) for 72 h, and then the cells were stimulated with various concentrations of glucose (0, 5 and 25 mmol/L) and/or L-carnosine (0, 1 and 20 mmol/L). The level of insulin in the medium was measured by radioimmunoassay. To detect the effect of L-carnosine on proliferation and apoptosis, NIT-1 cells were divided into 4 groups according to different culture conditions for 72 h: group C (with 11.1 mmol/L glucose), group H (with 33.3 mmol/L glucose), group H+A (with 33.3 mmol/L glucose+ 1 mmol/L L-carnosine) and group H+B (with 33.3 mmol/L glucose +20 mmol/L L-carnosine). Proliferous or apoptotic cells were identified by BrdU labeling and flow cytometry (labeling with annexin V-FITC/PI),respectively. Total RNA was extracted and the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and bcl-2 was measured by RT-PCR. The caspase-3 activity was also checked by fluorometric assay kit. RESULTS: The insulin in high-level glucose group was lower than that in control-level glucose group. L-carnosine at concentration of 20 mmol/L notably increased the insulin secretion of the cells pre-treated with glucose at control level or high level. The proliferation and apoptosis were both increased in group H compared with group C, but the total cell counts declined because the apoptotic rate was higher than the proliferation rate. L-carnosine at concentration of 1 mmol/L significantly increased the proliferation rate and decreased the apoptotic rate. The mRNA level of caspase-3 was decreased and the mRNA level of bcl-2 was increased after the cells were treated with L-carnosine at concentration of 1 mmol/L. L-carnosine at concentrations of both 1 mmol/L and 20 mmol/L significantly decreased the caspase-3 activity. CONCLUSION: L-carnosine at high level directly stimulates insulin secretion in NIT-1 cells, and L-carnosine at normal level promotes the cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis induced by high concentration of glucose. Caspsase-3 and Bcl-2 may be partly involved in this process.     

PPARδ agonist GW501516 inhibits ox-LDL-or high glucose-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) agonist GW501516 on the apoptosis induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) or high concentration of glucose in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cell apoptosis was induced by ox-LDL or high concentration of glucose in HUVECs and was examined by flow cytometry.The HUVECs were treated with GW501516 at different concentrations. The viability of HUVECs was analyzed by MTT assay. RESULTS: The apoptosis rate of HUVECs treated with ox-LDL was 21.3%, while those of HUVECs treated with ox-LDL combined with low, medium and high concentrations of GW501516 were 17.47%, 9.72% and 3.94%, respectively. The apoptosis rate of HUVECs treated with glucose was 22.60%, while those of HUVECs treated with glucose combined with different concentrations of GW501516 were 20.23%, 17.01% and 9.38%, respectively.The results indicated that ox-LDL or glucose induced apoptosis of HUVECs and GW501516 decreased the apoptotic rates induced by ox-LDL or glucose in a dose-dependent manner. The results of MTT assay showed that glucose or ox-LDL decreased the viability of HUVECs and GW501516 attenuated the effect of glucose or ox-LDL on HUVECs. CONCLUSION: GW501516 inhibits the apoptotic effects of ox-LDL and glucose on HUVECs and increases the viability of the cells.     

DHA induced cytotoxicity in NSCLC cells via inhibiting PI3K pathway activation and GLUT2 expression

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity induced by dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. METHODS: NSCLC cell lines A549 and NCI-H1650 were treated with various concentrations of DHA for indicated time. Subsequently, the effects of DHA on the cell activity, colony formation ability and apoptosis were determined by MTT assay, colony formation assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometry, respectively. At the same time, the effects of DHA on glucose, ATP and lactate levels were assessed, and the PI3K pathway activation and glucose transporter 2(GLUT2) expression were detected by Western blot in the A549 cells and NCI-H1650 cells. Overexpression of GLUT2 and Rheb was established in A549 and NCI-H1650 cells by transfection with GST-GLUT2 and GST-Rheb plasmids, respectively, and the effects of DHA on cell activity, apoptosis, glucose level, ATP content and PI3K pathway activation were analyzed in A549 cells and NCI-H1650 cells. The effect of glucose deprivation on the cytotoxicity triggered by DHA in NSCLC cells was also determined. RESULTS: Compared with control group, DHA significantly inhibited cell activity and colony formation ability, and induced remarkable cell apoptosis in the A549 cells and NCI-H1650 cells. At the same time, DHA reduced ATP and lactate contents, and hindered glucose uptake in a time-and dose-dependent manner in A549 cells and NCI-H1650 cells. The activity of PI3K pathway and GLUT2 expression were downregulated, while upregulated GLUT2 expression and activated PI3K pathway reduced the cytotoxicity induced by DHA in NSCLC cells. Glucose deprivation increased DHA-mediated cytotoxicity in NSCLC cells. On the contrary, high levels of glucose inhibited DHA-mediated cytotoxicity in NSCLC cells. CONCLUSION: DHA restrains cell activity and colony formation, and induces apoptosis. DHA induces cytotoxicity via inhibiting PI3K pathway activation and GLUT2 expression, leading to inhibit glycolytic metabolism in NSCLC cells.     

Role of GPR40 mediates the effects of FFAs on lipoapoptosis in mouse β-cell line NIT-1

AIM: To evaluate the role of G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) mediates the effects of free fatty acids (FFAs) on lipoapoptosis in mouse β-cell line NIT-1 and the mechanisms involved in this process.METHODS: NIT-1 cells were supplemented with palmitate (500 μmol/L) or oleate (500 μmol/L) for 48 h, then apoptosis of the cells was determined by the methods of Hoechst 33342, TUNEL and flow cytometry (Annexin V/PI). The small interfering RNA technique was used to inhibit the expression of GPR40 in NIT-1 cell. The mock, control siRNA and GPR40 siRNA transfected cells were either supplemented with palmitate (500 μmol/L) or co-incubated with palmitate and oleate (500 μmol/L for each) for 48 h. The percentages of apoptotic cells were quantified. The expression of p-c-Jun, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: Palmitate induced β cell lipoapoptosis, whereas oleate inhibited NIT-1 cells from palmitate-induced lipoapoptosis. No significant difference of the percentages of apoptotic cells was indicated among the mock, control siRNA and GPR40 siRNA transfected cells treated with palmitate (P>0.05). However, after co-incubated with palmitate and oleate (500 μmol/L for each) for 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells in GPR40 siRNA transfected cells was greater than that in mock (P<0.05), while the expression of p-c-Jun was decreased. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were not affected.CONCLUSION: Palmitate induced β cell lipoapoptosis might not be mediated through GPR40, whereas oleate inhibits NIT-1 cells from palmitate-induced lipoapoptosis, which is mediated at least in part through GPR40, the change of c-Jun expression may play an role in this process, suggesting that GPR40 might be implicated in the control of β cell mass plasticity and GPR40 probably provides a link between obesity and type 2 diabetes.     

Effects of berberine on the proliferation of human pulmonary carcinoma cells

AIM: To study the effect of berberine on the proliferation of human pulmonary carcinoma cells (PG cells). METHODS: The proliferation of PG cells was determined by using MTT assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis of PG cells were determined by using flow cytometry. Confocal scanning imaging system was used to assay the ROS-releasing level of PG cells. RESULTS: Berberine was shown to inhibit proliferation of PG cells directly and in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05，P<0.01). Berberine blocked the cell cycle of PG cells， and beberine at concentration of 40 mg/L induced the apoptosis of PG cells. After 6 or 12 h incubation, berberine began to induce ROS-releasing in PG cells at 10 mg/L. While incubated with berberine for 24 h, PG cells were induced to release ROS at lower concentration. CONCLUSION: Berberine has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of PG cells, and these effect may be carried out by regulating the production of intracellular ROS and the process of cell cycle.     

Effect of berberine on Helicobacter pylori-induced human gastric epithe-lial cells injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of berberine (Ber) on Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-induced human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) injury and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Berberine (5, 10 and 20 μmol/L) and PD98059 (20 μmol/L), a selective inhibitor of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway, were added to Hp-infected GES-1 cells. The cell activity and apoptosis, the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and the protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and p-ERK1/2 in the GES-1 cells were determined by MTT assay, flow cytometry, ELISA, colorimetry and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with control group, Hp significantly inhibited the cell activity, increased the apoptotic rate, LDH activity, IL-1β and IL-8 levels, the Bax and p-ERK1/2 protein levels but decreased the Bcl-2 protein level in GES-1 cells (P<0.05). However, these effects of Hp were reversed by berberine at medium-dose and high-dose, as compared with the Hp-infected GES-1 cells (P<0.05). Moreover, the protective effects of berberine were significantly enhanced by the co-incubation of berberine with PD98059, as compared with the berberine at higher dose (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Berberine may attenuate Hp-induced human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells injury by anti-inflammation, promoting cell growth and anti-apoptosis via the inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling pathway.     

Effect of netrin-1 on high glucose induced injury of renal tubular epithe-lial cells

AIM:To study the effect of netrin-1 on the damage of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose. METHODS:Human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells were treated with high glucose. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of netrin-1 in the cells. HK-2 cells were infected with netrin-1-over-expressing lentivirus, and the effect of netrin-1 over-expression on the HK-2 cells treated with high glucose was observed. The apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was determined by Western blot. lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the culture medium was measured by 2,4-binitrobenzene hydrazine method. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the culture medium was detected by thiobarbituric acid method. The concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the culture medium were measured by ELISA. RESULTS:The expression of netrin-1 at mRNA and protein levels in the HK-2 cells after high glucose treatment was significantly lower than that in the control cells (P<0.05). Infection with netrin-1-over-expressing lentivirus up-regulated the expression of netrin-1 in the HK-2 cells treated with high glucose. High glucose promoted the secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α, decreased the levels of LDH and MDA in the cell culture supernatant, and induced apoptosis and activation of caspase-3 in renal tubular epithelial cells (P<0.05). After the HK-2 cells with up-regulation of netrin-1 were induced by high glucose, the IL-1β and TNF-α secretion, the levels of LDH and MDA in the culture medium, the apoptosis, and the level of activated caspase-3 protein in the cells were all decreased, as compared with the control cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Up-regulation of netrin-1 expression attenuates oxidative damage and inflammatory injury, and reduces apoptosis induced by high glucose in renal tubular epithelial cells.     

Berberine promotes apoptosis of human breast cancer cells by regulating miRNA-146a

ATM: To observe the effect of berberine on apoptosis of MCF-7 cells and its potential mechanism. METHODS: The MCF-7 cells were divided into control group and the groups with 3 different doses of berberine. The cell viability was detected by MTT assay, while the cell apoptosis was measured by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry assay. The protein levels of p-P65, Bax and Bcl-2 were Western blot. The levels of microRNA-146a(miRNA-146a) in the MCF-7 cells were detected by RT-qPCR. The miRNA-146a siRNA was transfected to the MCF-7 cells after an evaluation of transfection efficacy, which was co-incubated with berberine to observe its effects on the mRNA levels of Bax and Bcl-2. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the cell viabilities were decreased significantly in medium and high doses of berberine treatment groups with a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). The cell apoptosis was increased significantly in medium and high doses of berberine treatment groups dose-dependently (P<0.05). The protein levels of Bax were up-regulated, while those of Bcl-2 and p-P65 were down-regulated significantly by the treatment of berberine (P<0.05). In addition, the miRNA-146a levels were increased significantly in medium and high doses of berberine treatment groups (P<0.05) and showed a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA levels of Bax were decreased, while the mRNA levels of Bcl-2 were increased after transfection with miRNA-146a siRNA and co-incubated with berberine.CONCLUSION: Berberine promotes apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. The mechanism may be related to inhibit the activity of NF-κB by incresing the levels of miRNA-146a.     

Calcium overload and reactive oxygen species mediate high glucose-induced apoptosis of mouse osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells

AIM: To investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium overload in the apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells induced by high glucose. METHODS: Cultured mouse skull bone-derived osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 was treated with high concentration of D-glucose to induce apoptosis. The proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was detected by MTT assay after treated with different concentrations of D-glucose for 24 h and 48 h. The apoptotic rate and the intracellular levels of calcium and ROS were also measured after the cells were treated with high glucose (35 mmol/L) for 24 h. RESULTS: After high glucose treatment, the cell proliferation was inhibited. The early apoptosis and total cell death increased to (24.16?3.53)% and (63.74?4.32)%,respectively. High glucose treatment significantly increased intracellular levels of ROS and Ca²⁺. The increased apoptotic rate was reduced by addition of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and calcium chelator BAPTA-AM. Inhibition of store-operated Ca²⁺ channels by La³⁺ also decreased the intracellular level of Ca²⁺ and cell apoptosis induced by high glucose. CONCLUSION: High glucose increases intracellular ROS level and the release of Ca²⁺ through the store-operated Ca²⁺ channels, thus resulting in intracellular Ca²⁺ overload and leading to apoptosis of osteoblasts.     

Inhibitory effect and induction of apoptosis of caffeic acid Ge on growth of U14 in mice

AIM: To evaluate the antitumor effect of caffeic acid Ge on U14 tumor bearing mice. METHODS: The tumor inhibitory ratios of caffeic acid Ge on the growth of U14 in mice was observed. Apoptosis morphological transformation of U14 cells induced by caffeic acid Ge was detected by electronic scan microscope and MG-P staining. Alteration of cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Apoptosis-related protein levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by immunity histochemistry technology. MTT assay was applied to study the antitumor activities of caffeic acid Ge in U14 cell lines in vitro. RESULTS: Tumor inhibitory rates in caffeic-acid Ge groups were 38.50%, 47.17% and 64.02% (from low dose to high dose) (P<0.01). Caffeic acid Ge induced apoptosis in U14 cells detected by MG-P staining, histopathology and electronic microscopy, the typical apoptosis characteristics in morphology were observed. Flow cytometry results indicated that most of the U14 cells treated with caffeic acid Ge were arrested at the sub-G₀-G₁ phase and the U14 cells were blocked in S phase. The results of immunity histochemistry indicated that the expression of Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated by caffeic acid Ge while Bax protein was up-regulated in U14 tumor tissue (P<0.05). The MTT results suggested that cafffeic acid Ge exhibited high antiproliferative activity in U14 cell lines, and the IC₅₀ for 48 h was 48.57 mg/L. The above results showed that caffeic acid Ge exhibited high antiproliferative activity in vitro. CONCLUSION: Caffeic acid Ge has antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect on U14 tumor cells in vivo and in vitro. Caffeic acid Ge increases the expression of Bax and decreases the expression of Bcl-2 to induce apoptosis of U14 cells. This is one of the possible mechanisms of antitumor.     

Effects of sinapic acid on proliferation and apoptosis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells induced by high glucose

AIM: To investigate the effects of sinapic acid(SA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) induced by high glucose(HG). METHODS: Cultured A7r5 cells were randomly divided and treated as indicated. The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. DNA synthesis was measured by BrdU assay. Cell cycle progression and cell apoptotic rate were determined by flow cytometry analysis. The levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) were detected by ELISA. The protein levels of cyclin D1, P21, P27, phosphorylated protein kinase C(p-PKC), p-P38 and β-actin were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the viability of A7r5 cells was significantly enhanced, the DNA synthesis was increased, the cell cycle progression was promoted, the levels of ROS were elevated, the cell apoptotic rate was reduced, the protein expression of P21 and P27 was decreased, and the protein levels of cyclin D1, p-PKC and p-P38 were increased in HG group(all P<0.05). These effects were reversed by SA(0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L) treatment in a dose-dependent manner(all P<0.05). Both P38 inhibitor SB203580 and PKC inhibitor chelerythrine significantly inhibit HG-induced PKC/P38 activation and cell viability(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: SA inhibits HG-induced VSMCs proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis via reducing PKC/P38 activation.     

Effect of shikonin on high glucose-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in vascular endothelial cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of shikonin on the apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by high concentration of glucose in vascular endothelial cells. METHODS:Rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control group (with glucose at concentration of 5.5 mmol/L in cell culture medium), high glucose group (with glucose at concentration of 33 mmol/L in cell culture medium), high glucose+low shikonin group (with glucose at concentration of 33 mmol/L and shikonin at concentration of 0.1 μmol/L in cell culture medium), high glucose+medium shikonin group (with glucose at concentration of 33 mmol/L and shikonin at concentration of 1 μmol/L in cell culture medium), and high glucose+high shikonin group (with glucose at concentration of 33 mmol/L and shikonin at concentration of 10 μmol/L in cell culture medium). After treatments, the cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay and cell apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, the status of oxidative stress was evaluated by determining the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway was determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with high glucose group, shikonin reversed high glucose-induced decrease in cell viability and increase in apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. High concentration of glucose induced high levels of MDA and ROS, while decreased the levels of SOD and GSH-Px. However, after treatment with shikonin, the contents of MDA and ROS were decreased, while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased as compared with high glucose group. Furthermore, the high concentration of glucose up-regulated the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, HO-1 and Nrf2 (nuclear). Compared with high glucose group, the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, HO-1 and Nrf2 (nuclear) were partly decreased after treatment with shikonin. CONCLUSION:Shikonin alleviates high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cell apoptosis. Its mechanism may be related to activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and down-regulation of oxidative stress in vascular endothelial cells.     

High glucose up-regulates TRAIL-R4 expression in THP-1 cells and smooth muscle cells

AIM: To evaluate the expression of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand receptor 4 (TRAIL-R4) of THP-1 cells and human aorta smooth muscle cells under high glucose intervention. METHODS: Monocytic cell line THP-1 was incubated with PMA to induce to mature macrophage, Adhesion molecules CD11b and CD11c were assessed by FACS. TRAIL-R4 levels in THP-1 cells treated with different glucose concentrations were determined by Western blotting. The changes of TRAIL-R4 protein expressions were observed at different time points in human aorta smooth muscle cells. Western blotting was employed to evaluate TRAIL-R4 levels after the intervention of PKC activator. RESULTS: Incubation with 160 nmol/L PMA induced mature macrophages. TRAIL-R4 expression was up-regulated after incubation with 20 mmol/L glucose in macrophages. TRAIL-R4 was elevated in a time course manner under high glucose level in human aorta smooth muscle cells. Moreover, activation of PKC induced TRAIL-R4 expressions. CONCLUSION: Up-regulated TRAIL-R4 protein levels induced by high glucose levels might inhibit apoptosis of monocytes and smooth muscle cells and contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis.     

中国园艺学会第七届青年学术讨论会

中国园艺学会第九届第8次常务理事扩大会决定,“中国园艺学会第七届青年学术讨论会”由山东农业大学园艺科学与工程学院和山东省园艺学会承办,将于2006年7月或8月在山东泰安举行。会议交流主题:(1)园艺作物种质资源、遗传育种与生物技术;(2)园艺作物有机、无公害及标准化安全生     

Immunosuppressive and protective effects of human α1-antitrypsin on pancreatic β-cell transplantation

AIM：To study the immunosuppressive and protective effects of human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT) on pancreatic β-cell transplantation. METHODS： An NIT-1 cell line (NIT-hAAT) was constructed, which can stably express the protein of hAAT. The BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with NIT-1 and NIT-hAAT cell lines twice to induce cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). The apoptotic situation, the cytokine expression, and the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors were examined after mixed culture of CTL with NIT-1or NIT-hAAT cell line pretreated with mitomycin. Both cell lines were transferred into the left renal capsule of the diabetic mice to dynamically observe the changes of blood sugar and body weight, the serum levels of insulin and C-peptide, and the pathological changes of the transplanted sites. RESULTS： The results of extended CTL killing assay showed that the cytotoxic effect on NIT-hAAT cell acceptor mice was significantly reduced compared with NIT-1 cell acceptor mice. hAAT effectively reduced apoptosis, inhibited the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6, and adjusted the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokine expression. After NIT-hAAT was transplanted into the diabetic mice, blood glucose decreased obviously and maintained for 28 d. The serum levels of insulin and C-peptide increased obviously. The infiltration of the inflammatory cells in the transplanted sites significantly reduced. CONCLUSION：hAAT has the abilities of reducing cytotoxic effect of CTL on the β-cells, inhibiting inflammatory factor expression, and stopping short-term immunological rejection of the acceptor. hAAT has obvious immunosuppressive and protective effects on pancreatic β-cell transplantation for treatment of diabetes.     

Zoledronic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in U937 cells

AIM: To study the antiproliferation and proapoptotic effects of zoledronic acid(ZOL) on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line U937. METHODS: The viability of U937 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle of the U937 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry with PI staining. Apoptotic rate was assessed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-PI and Hoechst 33342 staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 assay. Methylcellulose was used to assess colony formation. The protein levels of p21, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: ZOL inhibited the viability of U937 cells. ZOL induced S-phase cell cycle arrest in the U937 cells. The results of flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V-PI and Hoechst 33342 staining showed that ZOL also induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mitochondrial membrane potential assay was also used to verify the apoptosis. The apoptotic rate was consistent with the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. Colony formation assay showed that ZOL significantly inhibited the colony formation capacity of the U937 cells. This was achieved by the induction of S-phase cell cycle arrest, and up-regulation of Bax and p21, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: ZOL inhibits cell proliferation by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related protein, and induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.     

Pseudolaric acid B induces glioblastoma cell line U87 mitotic arrest and apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the effects of pseudolaric acid B on the growth and apoptosis of glioblastoma cell line U87. METHODS: The cell morphological changes were observed under inverted microscope. The cell viability was evaluated by MTS assay. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blot. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The changes of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved PARP, caspase-3, procaspase-9 and caspase-8 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Pseudolaric acid B inhibited the viability of U87 cells, arrested U87 cells in mitosis. Apoptosis of U87 cells was induced by pseudolaric acid B. The caspase pathway was activated. CONCLUSION: Pseudolaric acid B induces glioblastoma cell line U87 mitotic arrest and apoptosis.     

Effects of edaravone on high glucose-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells via regulating microRNA-25

AIM: To observe the effects of edaravone on high glucose-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells and its potential mechanism. METHODS: The SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in the DMEM medium with 100 mmol/L glucose and 100 μmol/L edaravone for 24 h. The viability of the SH-SY5Y cells was detected by MTT assay. The levels of ROS in the cells were determined by DCFH-DA fluorescent probing. The apoptotic rates of the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the cells were detected by Western blot. The expression levels of micro-RNA-25 (miR-25) were determined by real-time PCR. To further clarify the target sites of edaravone on inhibiting apoptosis induced by high glucose, miR-25 inhibitor was applied to the SH-SY5Y cells and the activity of caspase-3 was measured.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the cell viability was decreased significantly in model group, and the ROS level was increased significantly. The protein expression of Bax was up-regulated significantly, while the expression levels of Bcl-2 and miR-25 were significantly down-regulated. Compared with model group, the cell viability was increased significantly in edaravone group. The ROS level was decreased significantly. Meanwhile, the expression of Bax was down-regulated, while the expression of Bcl-2 and miR-25 was up-regulated with statistical significance. The caspase-3 activity of the cells incubated with 100 mmol/L glucose and miR-25 inhibitor was increased. However, no alteration of caspase-3 activity with edaravone added simultaneously was observed. CONCLUSION: Edaravone inhibits the apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells induced by high glucose with the potential target site of miR-25.