• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• 제9권2호
• /
• pp.485-487
• /
• 2002

Cells receive signals for survival as well as death, and the balance between the two ultimately determines the fate of the cells. UV-triggered apoptotic signaling has been well documented, whereas UV-induced survival effects have received little attention. We have reported previously that UVB irradiation prevented apoptosis, which was partly dependent on activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/ Akt pathway. In this study, anti-apoptotic effects of UV with different wavelength ranges, UVA, UVB and UVC, were examined. NIH3T3 cells showed apoptotic cell death by detachment from the extracellular matrix under serum-free conditions, which was prevented by all wavelengths. However, the effect of UVA was less than those of UVB and UVC. Reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and activation of caspase-9 and -3 were suppressed by all three wavelengths of UV, showing wavelength-dependent effects as mentioned above. The PI3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin partially inhibittrl the UVB and UVC-induced suppression of apoptosis, but not the inhibitoty effect of UVA. The Akt phosphotylation by UVB and UVC was completely inhibittrl by addition of wortmannin, but that by UVA was not P38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 partially inhibited the UVB and UVC-induced suppression of apoptosis and Akt phosphotylation, and completely inhibited UVA-induced those. These results suggested the existence of two different survival pathways leading to suppression of apoptosis, one for UVA that is independent of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and dependent on p38 MAP kinase, and the other for UVB and UVC that is dependent on both pathways.

• 한국식품영양학회지
• /
• 제21권4호
• /
• pp.416-424
• /
• 2008

In an effort to elucidate the differential actions of blueberry(BB) in both normal and cancer cells, we utilized human breast cell lines to assess the accumulation of radical oxygen species(ROS) and ROS-associated apoptosis in both human normal breast epithelial(MCF10A) and breast cancer(MCF7) cells. BB extract was added to the cultures at a final concentration of $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ for 0(control), 6, 12, and 24 hr intervals. The MCF10A cells evidenced no marked ROS accumulation in the presence of BB, whereas the MCF7 cells evidenced clear ROS accumulation upon BB treatment from 12 hours forward. The number of dying or dead cells did not increase in the BB-treated MCF10A cell groups, whereas that number increased profoundly from 12 hr forward. Furthermore, the expression levels of certain stress-related, and pro- and antiapoptotic gene products evidenced differential responses to BB treatment between the MCF10A and MCF7 cell groups. These results indicate that the components of BB extract differentiate cancer cells by not preventing ROS accumulation within cells and by inducing ROS-associated cell death in cancer cells. However, no marked ROS accumulation or induction of cell death was noted in the normal breast epithelial cells. The fact that BB extract exerted a differential effect on cancer cells opens further directions of research regarding the specific components that exert the differential BB-mediated effects in the selective prevention of normal cells and therapy for cancer tissues in the physiological body.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권12호
• /
• pp.6369-6374
• /
• 2012

Vitexicarpin (3', 5-dihydroxy-3, 4', 6, 7-tetramethoxyflavone), a polymethoxyflavone isolated from Viticis Fructus (Vitex rotundifolia Linne fil.), has long been used as an anti-inflammatory herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It has also been reported that vitexicarpin can inhibit the growth of various cancer cells. However, there is no report elucidating its effect on human prostate carcinoma cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the apoptotic induction activity of vitexicarpin on PC-3 cells and molecular mechanisms involved. MTT studies showed that vitexicarpin dose-dependently inhibited growth of PC-3 cells with an $IC_{50}{\sim}28.8{\mu}M$. Hoechst 33258 staining further revealed that vitexicarpin induced apoptotic cell death. The effect of vitexicarpin on PC-3 cells apoptosis was tested using prodium iodide (PI)/Annexin V-FITC double staining and flow cytometry. The results indicated that vitexicarpin induction of apoptotic cell death in PC-3 cells was accompanied by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that vitexicarpin induction of PC-3 cell apoptosis was associated with upregulation of the proapoptotic protein Bax, and downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, release of Cytochrome c from mitochondria and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Our findings suggested that vitexicarpin may become a potential leading drug in the therapy of prostate carcinoma.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• 제45권1호
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2020

Bilobalide isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba has several pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant. However, the effect of bilobalide on cancer has not been clearly established. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bilobalide on cell growth and apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This was examined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, nuclear 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, DNA fragmentation analysis, and immunoblotting. Bilobalide inhibited the growth of FaDu cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Treatment with bilobalide resulted in nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation in FaDu cells. Furthermore, it promoted the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3/-7/-8/-9 with increase in the amount of cleaved caspase-3/-7/-8/-9. Bilobalide-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and the activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting revealed that the antiapoptotic mitochondrial protein Bcl-2 was downregulated, but the proapoptotic protein Bax was upregulated by bilobalide in FaDu cells. Bilobalide significantly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These results suggest that bilobalide inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in FaDu human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제37권4호
• /
• pp.413-424
• /
• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) is a traditional herbal medicine utilized to prevent endothelium dysfunction in the cardiovascular system; however, its underlying mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. We here examined the pharmacological effect and molecular mechanism of KRGE on apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a serum-deprived apoptosis model. KRGE protected HUVECs from serum-deprived apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-9/-3 activation. This protective effect was significantly higher than that of American ginseng extract. KRGE treatment increased antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-$X_L$ protein expression and Akt-dependent Bad phosphorylation. Moreover, KRGE prevented serum deprivation-induced subcellular redistribution of these proteins between the mitochondrion and the cytosol, resulting in suppression of mitochondrial cytochrome c release. In addition, KRGE increased nitric oxide (NO) production via Akt-dependent activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), as well as inhibited caspase-9/-3 activities. These increases were reversed by co-treatment of cells with inhibitors of eNOS and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and pre-incubation of cell lysates in dithiothreitol, indicating KRGE induces NO-mediated caspase modification. Indeed, KRGE inhibited caspase-3 activity via S-nitrosylation. These findings suggest that KRGE prevents serum deprivation-induced HUVEC apoptosis via increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-$X_L$ protein expression, PI3K/Akt-dependent Bad phosphorylation, and eNOS/NO-mediated S-nitrosylation of caspases. The cytoprotective property of KRGE may be valuable for developing new pharmaceutical means that limit endothelial cell death induced during the pathogenesis of vascular diseases.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2019

Objectives : Hyperthermia is a widely used therapeutic tool for cancer therapy and a well-known inducer of apoptosis. Although the Cinnamomi cortex (CC) is a potent anticancer agent for several human carcinomas, it is less potent in the human U937 cell line. To explore any enhancing effects of CC with hyperthermia induced apoptosis, this study investigated the combined effects and apoptotic mechanisms of hyperthermia and CC in U937 cells. Methods : U937 cells were heat treated at $43^{\circ}C$ for 30 min with or without pre-treatment for 1h with CC and then incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ with 5% $CO_2$. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay and Trypan blue assay. Morphological changes reflecting apoptosis were visualized under microscope. Synergy effect of CC combined with hyperthermia were calculated by Compusyn software. The expression of proteins related to apoptosis and signaling pathways was determined by western blotting. Results : Hyperthermia with CC reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis. Combined hyperthermia and CC treatment markedly augmented apoptosis by upregulating proapoptotic proteins and suppressing antiapoptotic proteins, culminating in caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, the combined treatment, decreased the expression of in Bcl-2 family, cyclin D1, VEGF, MMP2 and MMP9 expression. Conclusion : This study provides compelling evidence that hyperthermia, in combination with CC, is a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancement of apoptosis and suggests a promising therapeutic approach for cancer.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.125-142
• /
• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of neuronal activities for the acupuncture and laser acupuncture application. Methods: The subject were divided into 7 groups as control group without acupuncture, acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1(AT-A), acupuncture treatment with purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, Kl10(AT-B), acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1 and purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, KI10(AT-C), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1(LAT-A), laser acupuncture treatment with green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1 and green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B). Antiapopotic effect of acupuncture was observed by Bax, Bcl-2 and cytochrome C. Neuroprotective effect of acupuncture was observed by cresyl violet and ChAT. Results: AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression ChAT and in neuroprotective effect by cresyl violet. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression Bax. AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression Bcl-2. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression cytochrome C. Conclusions: The acupuncture with tonify and purge manipulation and laser acupuncture with red and green light could be effective for antiapopotic and neuroprotective effect in focal brain ischemia.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제19권2호
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2003

Alkylating agents form alkylated base adducts in the DNA and cause DNA lesions leading to cell killing. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of apoptosis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in PC-3 and DU145 human prostate carcinoma cell lines. MNNG treatment resulted in the inhibition of cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner to a similar extent in both cell lines. This anti-proliferative effect of PC-3 and DU145 cells by MNNG was associated with morphological changed such as membrane shrinking, cell rounding up and formation of apoptotic bodies. MNNG treatment also induced a proteolytic cleavage of specific target proteins such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and $\beta$-catenin proteins in DU145 cells but in PC-3 cells. Furthermore, we observed an increase of proapoptotic protein Bax family expression and a decrease of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 family by MNNG treatment in a concentration-dependent manner MNNG also induced a proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and -9, which is believed to play a central role in the apoptotic signaling pathway.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제57권6호
• /
• pp.445-454
• /
• 2015

Objective : In the present study we analyzed neuroprotective and antiapoptotic effect of the difumarate salt S-15176, as an anti-ischemic, an antioxidant and a stabilizer of mitochondrial membrane in secondary damage following spinal cord injury (SCI) in a rat model. Methods : Three groups were performed with 30 Wistar rats; control (1), trauma (2), and a trauma+S-15176 (10 mg/kg i.p., dimethyl sulfoxide) treatment (3). SCI was performed at the thoracic level using the weight-drop technique. Spinal cord tissues were collected following intracardiac perfusion in 3rd and 7th days of posttrauma. Hematoxylin and eosin staining for histopatology, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay for apoptotic cells and immunohistochemistry for proapoptotic cytochrome-c, Bax and caspase 9 were performed to all groups. Functional recovery test were applied to each group in 3rd and 7th days following SCI. Results : In trauma group, edematous regions, diffuse hemorrhage, necrosis, leukocyte infiltration and severe degeneration in motor neurons were observed prominently in gray matter. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher (p<0.05) than control group. In the S-15176-treated groups, apoptotic cell number in 3rd and 7th days (p<0.001), also cytochrome-c (p<0.001), Bax (p<0.001) and caspase 9 immunoreactive cells (p<0.001) were significantly decreased in number compared to trauma groups. Hemorrhage and edema in the focal areas were also noticed in gray matter of treatment groups. Results of the locomotor test were significantly increased in treatment group (p<0.05) when compared to trauma groups. Conclusion : We suggest that difumarate salt S-15176 prevents mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis and protects spinal cord from secondary injury and helps to preserve motor function following SCI in rats.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제21권5호
• /
• pp.540-544
• /
• 2011

The molecular mechanisms of apoptotic induction by benzyldihydroxyoctenone (BDH), a nonsteroidal antiandrogen, isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp., have been previously published in prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Apoptotic induction of BDH-treated LNCaP cells was associated with downregulation of Bcl-xL that caused, in turn, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and activation of procaspases and specific proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the patterns of apoptotic induction by BDH in non-prostate, ovarian cancer PA-1 (androgen-independent and -insensitive) cells and prostate cancer cells with different androgen responsiveness, such as C4-2 (androgen-independent and -sensitive), 22Rv1 (androgen-dependent and -low sensitive), and LNCaP (androgen-dependent and -high sensitive) cells. We found that BDH-treated LNCaP cell proliferation was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis via downregulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), as well as antiapoptotic Bcl-xL protein. However, the levels of BDH-mediated apoptotic induction and growth inhibition in 22Rv1 cells were apparently lower than those of LNCaP cells. In contrast, the induction of apoptosis and antiproliferative effect in BDH-treated non-prostate cancer PA-1 and hormone refractory C4-2 cells were not detectable and marginal, respectively. Therefore, BDH-mediated differential apoptotic induction and growth inhibition in a cell type seem to be obviously dependent on its androgen responsiveness; primarily on androgen-dependency, and then on androgensensitivity.