Search

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of 5-bromo-3-(3-hydroxyprop-1-ynyl)-2H-pyran-2-one (BHP) on the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in T24 human bladder carcinoma cells. An MTT assay was used to investigate the inhibition of cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to observe alterations in the cell cycle, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and induction of apoptosis in the T24 cells following BHP treatment. Western blot analysis was performed for the determination of expression levels of apoptotic proteins, and 4,6‑diamidino‑2‑phenylindole dihydrochloride staining was used to observe apoptosis and DNA damage. The results demonstrated that treatment of the bladder cancer cells with BHP enhanced the activation of caspases and increased the production of ROS. It also caused damage to DNA, reduced MMP, and increased the secretion of endonuclease G and apoptosis‑inducing factor from the mitochondria. The expression levels of cyclin E and cell division cycle 25C were reduced, whereas the expression levels of p21 and phosphorylated p53 were increased in the BHP‑treated cells. In addition, treatment with BHP caused cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, increased the expression levels of B cell lymphoma‑2 (Bcl‑2)‑associated X protein and poly(ADP‑ribose) polymerase, decreased the expression of Bcl‑2 and ultimately induced apoptosis of the T24 cells. Thus, BHP inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by inducing cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.

Purpose : To investigate the effect of Phellodendron chinense Schneid (PCS) extracts on carrageenaninduced chronic prostatitis in rats. Methods : Experimental chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) was induced in rats by injecting carrageenan into prostatitis. Rats in treated groups were administered either PCS extract or positive control (cernilton) for 3 weeks while those in the control group received saline instead. After treatment, prostate index (PI) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of all rats were examined by ELISA. The degree of chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates, acinar changes and interstitial fibrosis were evaluated by histopathological examination. In addition, relative inflammatory factors, viz, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PEG2), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) of prostate tissues of all the rats were measured by ELISA. Results : High-dose PCS (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased PI (1.0 ± 0.1 mg/ml) relative to reference group (2.1 ± 0.2, p < 0.01) while high-dose PCS (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased PSA level (154.2 ± 14.3 pg/ml) relative to the reference group (312.5 ± 20.5 pg/ml, p < 0.01). Morphometric analysis demonstrated the presence of chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates, and interstitial fibrosis decreased significantly compared to the reference group. Compared with reference group (165.4 ± 14.2 pg/ml), TNF-α level in the prostate tissues of high-dose PCS group rats decreased (116.5 ± 9.3) significantly (p < 0.01). Similarly, compared with reference group (176.1 ± 12.1 pg/ml), IL-1β level of prostate tissues of high-dose PCS group rats decreased (97.6 ± 11.3) significantly (p < 0.01). Conclusion : PCS extract has significant therapeutic effect on carrageenan-induced chronic prostatitis in rats. Keywords : Phellodendron chinense, Chronic prostatitis, Chronic inflammation