scholarly journals Molecular and cellular mechanisms of acute cytotoxic liver damage as potential biological targets for magnesium-containing cell-protective drug

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
Marina O. Dudina ◽  
Irina R. Suslova ◽  
Mariya S. Khalzova ◽  
Juliya V. Dergunova ◽  
Evgeniya A. Kogan ◽  
...  

Introduction. Many anti-tumor drugs have a high potential for toxic damage to liver cells, which makes it necessary to identify molecular mechanisms of the development of the negative impact of drugs on the liver and to develop effective methods for preventing and correcting this adverse effect. Materials and methods. The study was performed on 30 nonlinear white rats of both sexes weighing 180–220 g, divided into 3 equal groups (n = 10 in each): intact control, control with liver pathology and experimental group of rats receiving the test substance LBK-527 at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day intragastrically one hour before the administration of a hepatoxic cytarabine. In the animals of the latter two groups, acute drug-induced hepatitis was simulated by intravenous administration of 2 g/m2 cytarabine in physiological saline for 5 days. Liver pathomorphology was studied on specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Sudan III and by Van Gieson; a semi-quantitative method for assessing the depth of inflammatory and dystrophic organ damage was used. In the blood plasma, the activity of ASAT, ALAT, GGTP, and APF was determined. Tissue concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-10 and HGF were determined by quantitative ELISA. Expression of Bcl-2 and Ki-67 was studied by immunohistochemistry. The proliferation index was calculated. Results and discussion. Daily administration of LBK-527 for 5 days restrains the depth of cytarabine-induced pathomorphological changes in the liver, reduces the prevalence of the dystrophic and inflammatory process, increases the anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential of the hepatic parenchyma, inhibits the programmed death of hepatocytes and reduces the activity of cytolytic and cholestatic syndromes. Conclusion. Magnesium-containing cell-protective substance LBK-527 protects liver from cytarabine-induced injury.

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 2266-2275
Author(s):  
Vladislav Pavlov ◽  
Anastasiya Snezhkina ◽  
Dmitry Kalinin ◽  
Alexander Golovyuk ◽  
Anastasiya Kobelyatskaya ◽  
...  

Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors that can develop from any paraganglion across the body. The carotid body is the most often location of PGLs in the head and neck region. Carotid PGLs (CPGLs) are characterized by predominantly non-aggressive behavior; however, all tumors have the potential to metastasize. To date, molecular mechanisms of paraganglioma progression remain elusive. We report a case of a 38-year-old woman with metastatic CPGL manifesting as a recurrent tumor with lymph node metastasis. The tumor was fast-growing and had a high Ki-67 proliferation index. Immunohistochemical (IHC) examination and whole-exome sequencing were performed for both recurrent tumor and metastasis. A germline pathogenic splice acceptor variant in the SDHB gene was found in the patient. Immunoreactivity of the SDHB subunit was weak diffuse in both samples, indicating deficiency of the succinate dehydrogenase. Moreover, the recurrent tumor exhibited loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the SDHB locus, that is according to Knudson’s "two-hit" hypothesis of cancer causation. We also identified a rare somatic promotor mutation in the TERT gene associated with the tumor progression. Obtained results confirmed the indicative role of the germline SDHB mutation for metastatic CPGLs, as well as the potential prognostic value of the TERT promoter mutation.


2001 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 116-125
Author(s):  
Norina Basa ◽  
Daniela Lazar ◽  
Remus Cornea ◽  
Sorina Taban ◽  
Melania Ardelean ◽  
...  

Alteration of β-catenin expression is involved in the development and evolution of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); β-catenin is able to influence tumor cell proliferation. We analyzed the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of β-catenin on a group of 32 patients diagnosed with HCC using the anti-β-catenin monoclonal antibody (clone E247). We correlated the expression of β-catenin with the proliferation index of Ki-67 (PI Ki-67), the mitotic index (MI) and other clinical and pathological features. We observed an altered β-catenin expression in 58.38% of all HCC cases. This expression was insignificantly correlated with tumor size (]5 cm) (p = 0.683), histological grade G1-G2 (p = 0.307), vascular invasion (p = 0.299) and advanced pT stage (p = 0.453); we obtained a significantly higher MI in HCC with altered β-catenin expression (p = 0.018), as compared to HCC without overexpression (1.66 � 1.37) (p = 0.038) and a PI Ki-67 of 22.49 � 20.1 and 28.24 � 18.2, respectively in tumors with altered β-catenin expression with insignificant differences compared to HCC without overexpression (25.95 � 15.2) (p = 0.682 and p = 0.731, respectively). According to the results we obtained, aberrant β-catenin expression in HCC was correlated with a high mitotic index, therefore playing an important role in tumor progression by stimulating tumor cell proliferation; non-nuclear β-catenin overexpression can have a pathological significance in HCC, especially in cases of HCC associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1097-1102
Author(s):  
Drashti Desai ◽  
Pravin Shende

: Immunotherapy emerges as a treatment strategy for breast cancer marker, diagnosis and treatment. In this review, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)-based passive and peptide vaccines as active immunotherapy approaches like activation of B-cells and T-cells are studied. Passive immunotherapy is mAbs-based therapy effective against tumor cells, which acts by targeting HER2, IGF 1R, VEGF, BCSC and immune checkpoints. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and GPCR are the areas of interest to target BC metastases for on-targeting therapeutic action. Neuropeptide S (NPS) or NPS receptor 1, acts as a biomarker for Neuroendocrine tumors (NET), mostly characterized by synaptophysin and chromogranin-A expression or Ki-67 proliferation index. The protein fusion technologies arise as a promising avenue in plant expression systems for increased recombinant Ab accumulation and cost-efficient purification. Recently, mAbs-based immunotherapy effectiveness is appreciated as a novel therapeutic combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to reduce the side effects and improve therapeutic responsiveness. Synthetic drug resistance will be overcome by mAbs-based therapy through several clinical trials and detection methods need to be optimized for accuracy and precision. Pharmacokinetic attributes need to be accessed for preferred receptor-agonist activity without ligand accumulation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 559-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Chang ◽  
Youhan Wang ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Wanli Smith ◽  
Lingbo Kong

Macrophages M2 polarization have been taken as an anti-inflammatory progression during inflammation. Natural plant-derived products, with potential therapeutic and preventive activities against inflammatory diseases, have received increasing attention in recent years because of their whole regulative effects and specific pharmacological activities. However, the molecular mechanisms about how different kinds of natural compounds regulate macrophages polarization still unclear. Therefore, in the current review, we summarized the detailed research progress on the active compounds derived from herbal plants with regulating effects on macrophages, especially M2 polarization. These natural occurring compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, lignans, coumarins, alkaloids, polyphenols and quinones. In addition, we extensively discussed the cellular mechanisms underlying the M2 polarization for each compound, which could provide potential therapeutic strategies aiming macrophages M2 polarization.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112-122
Author(s):  
Ricardo Fernández-Ferreira ◽  
Ildefonso Roberto De la Peña-López ◽  
Karla Walkiria Zamudio-Coronado ◽  
Luis Antonio Delgado-Soler ◽  
María Eugenia Torres-Pérez ◽  
...  

Calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumor (CNNET) of the thyroid is an extremely rare entity. In some of the previously reported cases within the literature, the terms “atypical medullary thyroid carcinoma,” “calcitonin-free oat cell carcinoma,” and “a distinct clinical entity” were applied to NETs without definitive evidence of calcitonin production. In the English-language literature, not only are there only few reported cases of CNNET, but the criteria for diagnosis in these cases are also controversial. Most of the current published cases were also treated surgically for local disease. We describe a case of NET of the thyroid with calcitonin, chromogranin A and thyroglobulin negativity, synaptophysin and TTF-1 positivity, and a high Ki-67 proliferation index with metastases in the cervical region as well as mediastinal adenopathies. This case was considered an unresectable thyroid carcinoma, and chemotherapy including cisplatin and etoposide was started as neoadjuvant treatment at the department of medical oncology. Total thyroidectomy plus bilateral and central cervical dissection was performed, and the patient underwent 2 cycles of adjuvant radiotherapy. Currently, the patient’s 18F-FDG-PET/CT findings show a complete response 17 months after diagnosis. In conclusion, CNNET of the thyroid is very rare and there is limited evidence regarding treatment in patients with metastases. Chemotherapy including cisplatin and etoposide as well as early aggressive surgical resection appears to positively impact patients’ survival.


Author(s):  
Qiao Li ◽  
Manran Liu ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
Ting Jin ◽  
Pengpeng Zhu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Hypoxia is a key hallmark of TNBC. Metabolic adaptation promotes progression of TNBC cells that are located within the hypoxic tumor regions. However, it is not well understood regarding the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of metabolic adaptions by hypoxia. Methods RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the gene expression profiles in MDA-MB-231 cell line (20% O2 and 1% O2). Expressions of Slc6a8, which encodes the creatine transporter protein, were detected in breast cancer cells and tissues by quantitative real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect SLC6A8 protein abundances in tumor tissues. Clinicopathologic correlation and overall survival were evaluated by chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier analysis, respectively. Cell viability assay and flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V/PI double staining were performed to investigate the impact of SLC6A8-mediated uptake of creatine on viability of hypoxic TNBC cells. TNBC orthotopic mouse model was used to evaluate the effects of creatine in vivo. Results SLC6A8 was aberrantly upregulated in TNBC cells in hypoxia. SLC6A8 was drastically overexpressed in TNBC tissues and its level was tightly associated with advanced TNM stage, higher histological grade and worse overall survival of TNBC patients. We found that SLC6A8 was transcriptionally upregulated by p65/NF-κB and mediated accumulation of intracellular creatine in hypoxia. SLC6A8-mediated accumulation of creatine promoted survival and suppressed apoptosis via maintaining redox homeostasis in hypoxic TNBC cells. Furthermore, creatine was required to facilitate tumor growth in xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, intracellular creatine bolstered cell antioxidant defense by reducing mitochondrial activity and oxygen consumption rates to reduce accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, ultimately activating AKT-ERK signaling, the activation of which protected the viability of hypoxic TNBC cells via mediating the upregulation of Ki-67 and Bcl-2, and the downregulation of Bax and cleaved Caspase-3. Conclusions Our study indicates that SLC6A8-mediated creatine accumulation plays an important role in promoting TNBC progression, and may provide a potential therapeutic strategy option for treatment of SLC6A8 high expressed TNBC.


Livers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-115
Author(s):  
Anup Ramachandran ◽  
David S. Umbaugh ◽  
Hartmut Jaeschke

Mitochondria have been studied for decades from the standpoint of metabolism and ATP generation. However, in recent years mitochondrial dynamics and its influence on bioenergetics and cellular homeostasis is also being appreciated. Mitochondria undergo regular cycles of fusion and fission regulated by various cues including cellular energy requirements and pathophysiological stimuli, and the network of critical proteins and membrane lipids involved in mitochondrial dynamics is being revealed. Hepatocytes are highly metabolic cells which have abundant mitochondria suggesting a biologically relevant role for mitochondrial dynamics in hepatocyte injury and recovery. Here we review information on molecular mediators of mitochondrial dynamics and their alteration in drug-induced liver injury. Based on current information, it is evident that changes in mitochondrial fusion and fission are hallmarks of liver pathophysiology ranging from acetaminophen-induced or cholestatic liver injury to chronic liver diseases. These alterations in mitochondrial dynamics influence multiple related mitochondrial responses such as mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis, which are important adaptive responses facilitating liver recovery in several contexts, including drug-induced liver injury. The current focus on characterization of molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics is of immense relevance to liver pathophysiology and have the potential to provide significant insight into mechanisms of liver recovery and regeneration after injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1555
Author(s):  
Ágoston Patthy ◽  
János Murai ◽  
János Hanics ◽  
Anna Pintér ◽  
Péter Zahola ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder as yet without effective therapy. Symptoms of this disorder typically reflect cortical malfunction with local neurohistopathology, which biased investigators to search for focal triggers and molecular mechanisms. Cortex, however, receives massive afferents from caudal brain structures, which do not only convey specific information but powerfully tune ensemble activity. Moreover, there is evidence that the start of AD is subcortical. The brainstem harbors monoamine systems, which establish a dense innervation in both allo- and neocortex. Monoaminergic synapses can co-release neuropeptides either by precisely terminating on cortical neurons or, when being “en passant”, can instigate local volume transmission. Especially due to its early damage, malfunction of the ascending monoaminergic system emerges as an early sign and possible trigger of AD. This review summarizes the involvement and cascaded impairment of brainstem monoaminergic neurons in AD and discusses cellular mechanisms that lead to their dysfunction. We highlight the significance and therapeutic challenges of transmitter co-release in ascending activating system, describe the role and changes of local connections and distant afferents of brainstem nuclei in AD, and summon the rapidly increasing diagnostic window during the last few years.


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