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Background: This study aims to test whether Cordyceps sinensis (CS), the most expensive Asian nutrient supplement might stimulate growth of prostate cancer cells. Methods: Impact of CS on growth of prostate cancer was determined in vivo and in vitro. Results: Firstly, the serum testosterone level was significantly elevated in mice fed CS. Prostate glands were significantly enlarged (weight index 0.53 ± 0.04 mg/g vs. 0.31 ± 0.04 mg/g, P = 0.006). Furthermore, cell viability was increased twofold in the androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell line (VCaP) after CS treatment. This promoting effect disappeared after bicalutamide was added. In addition, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in mice bearing VCaP xenografts was significantly elevated (0.66 ± 0.04 ng/ml vs. 0.26 ± 0.06 ng/ml, P < 0.001) after treatment with CS. Finally, VCaP tumors in mice treated with CS grew much faster (479.2 ± 78.74 mm3 vs. 283 ± 58.97 mm3, P = 0.074). However, the above promoting effects of CS were not observed in parallel studies using the PC-3 cell line which lacks AR expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that CS promotes growth of prostate cancer cells by increasing production of testosterone and stimulating the AR-dependent pathway. Additional studies are required to see whether CS is safely consumed by patients with prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bicyclol is a synthetic antihepatitis drug with antioxidative property. This study was designed to investigate the effects of bicyclol on the activity, gene and protein expressions of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450s (CYPs) during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) in rats. The rats were subjected to 90 min of hepatic ischemia followed by reperfusion for 3 and 24 h. Bicyclol (300 mg/kg) was orally administered three times before hepatic ischemia in rats. Liver injury was evaluated by biochemical examinations. Hepatic microsomal malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured spectrophotometrically. Total hepatic CYP content and activities of four CYP isozymes were evaluated with a differential spectrophotometer and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The gene and protein expressions of four CYP isozymes were determined by reverse transcriptional-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting assay. As a result, bicyclol significantly inhibited the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic microsomal MDA and prevented the decrease of total hepatic CYP content in I/R rats. In addition, bicyclol markedly attenuated the decrease of 2C6, 2C11, 3A1/2 activity and reduction of mRNA or protein expression of 2C6 and 3A in I/R rats. As for CYP2E1, bicyclol further aggravated the decrease of protein expression in I/R rats. These results suggested that bicyclol may ameliorate the abnormalities in the activity and expression of certain CYP isoforms during I/R, and this protective effect was likely due to its antioxidative and hepatoprotective properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]