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In this work, we synthesize a quinoline-based heptamethine cyanine, QuCy7, with sulfonate groups to enhance water solubility. This dye demonstrates exceptional near-infrared absorption beyond 750 nm, accompanied by photothermal properties but low photostability. Encapsulating QyCy7 with polyethylene glycol to form nanopolymer, QuCy7@mPEG NPs, addresses the issue of its photoinstability. TEM showed that QuCy7@mPEG NPs possess a spherical morphology, featuring a core-shell structure with a size of around 120 nm in diameter. Upon irradiation with an 808 nm laser for 10 min, a significant increase in temperature up to 24 °C can be achieved with a photothermal conversion (PTC) rate of approximately 35%. QuCy7@mPEG NPs exhibit remarkable photothermal stability as compared to QuCy7. The efficiency of QuCy7@mPEG NPs was demonstrated by the in vitro PTT studies. Finally, the nanoparticles' acute toxicity and effectiveness were assessed using the chick embryo model. The results provide compelling evidence that QuCy7@mPEG NPs are safe without inducing hemolysis, inhibit angiogenesis when exposed to light, and exhibit anti-tumor activity with a 76% reduction in tumor size compared to QuCy7 (40%). Thus suggesting the sulfonate groups can enhance water solubility, and its nanopolymer is biocompatible and possesses superior anti-tumor efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer. Anomianthus dulcis (Dunal) J.Sinclair (syn. Uvaria dulcis) has been used in Thai traditional medicine in various therapeutic indications. Phytochemical constituents of A. dulcis have been isolated and identified. However, their effects on liver cancer and the associated mechanisms have not been elucidated. Methods: Dry flowers of A. dulcis were extracted using organic solvents, and chromatographic methods were used to purify the secondary metabolites. The chemical structures of the pure compounds were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data. Cytotoxicity against HCC cells was examined using SRB assay, and the effects on cell proliferation were determined using flow cytometry. The mechanisms underlying HCC inhibition were examined by molecular docking and verified by Western blot analysis. Results: Among 3 purified flavonoids, pinocembrin, pinostrobin, and chrysin, and 1 indole alkaloid (3-farnesylindole), only pinocembrin showed inhibitory effects on the proliferation of 2 HCC cell lines, HepG2 and Li-7, whereas chrysin showed specific toxicity to HepG2. Pinocembrin was then selected for further study. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that pinocembrin arrested the HCC cell cycle at the G1 phase with a minimal effect on cell death induction. Pinocembrin exerted the suppression of STAT3, as shown by the molecular docking on STAT3 with a better binding affinity than stattic, a known STAT3 inhibitor. Pinocembrin also suppressed STAT3 phosphorylation at both Tyr705 and Ser727. Cell cycle regulatory proteins under the modulation of STAT3, namely cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4, and CDK6, are substantially suppressed in their expression levels. Conclusion: Pinocembrin extracted from A. dulcis exerted a significant growth inhibition on HCC cells via suppressing STAT3 signaling pathways and its downstream-regulated genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of l -arginine (L-Arg), selenium nanoparticles (SeNP), and a combination of L-Arg and SeNP on the hatchability, post-hatch growth, muscle development, antioxidant status, and meat quality of slow-growing chickens. On day 18 of incubation, a total of 960 fertilized eggs with similar weights were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups with 4 replicates of 60 eggs each: (1) non-injected control group (Control), (2) injected with 1% of L-Arg (IOF_L-Arg), (3) injected with 0.3 µg/egg of SeNP (IOF_SeNP), and (4), injected with 1% of L-Arg and 0.3 µg/egg of SeNP (IOF_L-Arg + SeNP). A completely randomized design was used. After hatching, 640 mixed-sex chicks were allocated to 4 treatment groups and split into 4 replicate pens (40 birds per pen). All groups of chicks were fed with commercial feed ad libitum until they reached 63 d of age and were subsequently weighed and slaughtered. The results of the present study showed that hatchability was similar among treatments. Final BW or breast muscle yield was not affected (P  > 0.05) by IOF treatment. Chickens treated with IOF_L-Arg + SeNP exhibited decreased feed conversion ratio, drip loss, and increased protein content in breast meat (P  < 0.05). The IOF_L-Arg + SeNP group exhibited a higher density of breast muscle fibers than the control group (P  < 0.05). Overall, in ovo feeding of L-Arg combined with SeNP resulted in improved feed efficiency and enhanced antioxidant capacity at hatch without any adverse effects on chicken hatchability, health, or subsequent growth. Furthermore, meat from chickens in the IOF_L-Arg + SeNP group exhibited a preferable texture with a higher protein content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an established risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with unclarified mechanisms. This study investigated the effects of hyperglycemia on O-GlcNacylation in hepatocytes and its associations with hepatocarcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: Mouse and human HCC cell lines were used in an in vitro model of hyperglycemia. Western blotting was used to determine the effects of high glucose on O-GlcNacylation in HCC cells. Twenty 4-week-old C3H/HeNJcl mice were randomized into four groups: non-DM control, non-DM plus diethylnitrosamine (DEN), DM, and DM plus DEN. DM was induced using intraperitoneal injection of a single high dose of streptozotocin. DEN was used to induce HCC. All mice were euthanized at week 16 after DM induction, and the liver tissues were histologically examined using hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemistry. Results: High glucose increased OGlcNacylated proteins in mouse and human HCC cell lines compared with those cultured at normal glucose concentration. Mice with hyperglycemia or DEN treatment had increased OGlcNacylated proteins in hepatocytes. No gross tumors were evident at the end of the experiment but hepatic morbidity was observed. Mice with hyperglycemia and DEN treatment showed greater histological morbidity in their livers, i.e. increased nuclear size, hepatocellular swelling and sinusoidal dilatation, compared with mice in the DM group or treated with DEN alone. Conclusion: Hyperglycemia increased O-GlcNAcylation in both in vitro and animal models. Increased O-GlcNAcylated proteins may be associated with hepatic histological morbidities which then promote HCC development in carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]