24 research outputs found
Arecoline induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity to human endothelial cells
No full textBetel quid (BQ) chewing is a common oral habit in South Asia and Taiwan. BQ consumption may increase the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), and periodontitis as well as systemic diseases (atherosclerosis, hypertension, etc.). However, little is known about the toxic effect of BQ components on endothelial cells that play important roles for angiogenesis, carcinogenesis, tissue fibrosis, and cardiovascular diseases. EAhy 926 (EAHY) endothelial cells were exposed to arecoline, a major BQ alkaloid, for various time periods. Cytotoxicity was estimated by 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The cell cycle distribution of EAHY cells residing in sub-G0/G1, G0/G1, S-, and G2/M phases was analyzed by propidium iodide staining of cellular DNA content and flow cytometry. Some EAHY cells retracted, became round-shaped in appearance, and even detached from the culture plate after exposure to higher concentrations of arecoline (> 0.4 mM). At concentrations of 0.4 and 0.8 mM, arecoline induced significant cytotoxicity to EAHY cells. At similar concentrations, arecoline induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and increased sub-G0/G1 population, a hallmark of apoptosis. Interestingly, prolonged exposure to arecoline (0.1 mM) for 12 and 21 days significantly suppressed the proliferation of EAHY cells, whereas EAHY cells showed adaptation and survived when exposed to 0.05 mM arecoline. These results suggest that BQ components may contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF and BQ chewing-related cardiovascular diseases via toxicity to oral or systemic endothelial cells, leading to impairment of vascular function. During BQ chewing, endothelial damage may be induced by areca nut components and associate with the pathogenesis of OSF, periodontitis, and cardiovascular diseases
Apigenin Suppresses Cancer Cell Growth through ERβ
No full textAbstractTwo flavonoids, genistein and apigenin, have been implicated as chemopreventive agents against prostate and breast cancers. However, the mechanisms behind their respective cancer-protective effects may vary significantly. The goal of this study was to determine whether the antiproliferative action of these flavonoids on prostate (DU-145) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells expressing only estrogen receptor (ER) β is mediated by this ER subtype. It was found that both genistein and apigenin, although not 17β-estradiol, exhibited anti proliferative effects and proapoptotic activities through caspase-3 activation in these two cell lines. In yeast transcription assays, both flavonoids displayed high specificity toward ERβ transactivation, particularly at lower concentrations. However, in mammalian assay, apigenin was found to be more ERβ-selective than genistein, which has equal potency in inducing transactivation through ERα and ERβ. Small interfering RNA-mediated downregulation of ERβ abrogated the anti proliferative effect of apigenin in both cancer cells but did not reverse that of genistein. Our data unveil, for the first time, that the anticancer action of apigenin is mediated, in part, by ERβ. The differential use of ERα and ERβ signaling for transaction between genistein and apigenin demonstrates the complexity of phytoestrogen action in the context of their anticancer properties
Apigenin suppresses cancer cell growth through ERbeta
No full textTwo flavonoids, genistein and apigenin, have been implicated as chemopreventive agents against prostate and breast cancers. However, the mechanisms behind their respective cancer-protective effects may vary significantly. The goal of this study was to determine whether the antiproliferative action of these flavonoids on prostate (DU-145) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells expressing only estrogen receptor (ER) beta is mediated by this ER subtype. It was found that both genistein and apigenin, although not 17beta-estradiol, exhibited antiproliferative effects and proapoptotic activities through caspase-3 activation in these two cell lines. In yeast transcription assays, both flavonoids displayed high specificity toward ERbeta transactivation, particularly at lower concentrations. However, in mammalian assay, apigenin was found to be more ERbeta-selective than genistein, which has equal potency in inducing transactivation through ERalpha and ERbeta. Small interfering RNA-mediated downregulation of ERbeta abrogated the antiproliferative effect of apigenin in both cancer cells but did not reverse that of genistein. Our data unveil, for the first time, that the anticancer action of apigenin is mediated, in part, by ERbeta. The differential use of ERalpha and ERbeta signaling for transaction between genistein and apigenin demonstrates the complexity of phytoestrogen action in the context of their anticancer properties
Relationship between the Infant Feeding Preferences of Chinese Mothers' Immediate Social Network and Early Breastfeeding Cessation
No full text© The Author(s) 2016.Background: The relationship between support from members of a mother's social network and breastfeeding continuation is receiving increased attention. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the infant feeding preferences of Chinese mothers' immediate social network and to examine the association between these preferences and early breastfeeding cessation. Methods: In total, 1172 mother-infant pairs were recruited from 4 public hospitals in Hong Kong and followed prospectively for 12 months or until breastfeeding stopped. Results: Over 40% of participants' partners preferred breastfeeding and half had no infant feeding preference. Only about 20% of participants' mothers or mothers-in-law preferred breastfeeding, and less than 10% reported that all of the 3 significant family members (partner, mother, and mother-in-law) preferred breastfeeding. The partner's preference for infant formula or mixed feeding (odds ratio [OR], 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-4.71) or having no preference (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.16-2.30) was strongly associated with higher odds of stopping breastfeeding before 1 month. For every additional family member who preferred breastfeeding, the odds of stopping breastfeeding was reduced by almost 20% (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68-0.97). However, living with a parent-in-law (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02-2.07) was also a predictor of early breastfeeding cessation. Knowing someone who had breastfed for ≥ 1 month (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42-0.97) or having been breastfed as a child (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98) significantly lowered the odds of early breastfeeding cessation. Conclusions: The infant feeding preferences of mothers' immediate social network are significantly associated with breastfeeding continuation. Prenatal breastfeeding education programs should involve significant family members to promote breastfeeding.link_to_subscribed_fulltex
Arecoline induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity to human endothelial cells
No full textEffect of p-cresol on cell growth of EAHY and U937 cells.
No full text<p>(A) P-cresol obviously suppressed the growth of endothelial cells as analyzed by MTT assay (as % of control) (n = 6) and (B) U937 cells (x 10<sup>5</sup> cells/well) as analyzed by trypan blue dye exclusion technique. *denotes significant difference when compared with control group (n = 13).</p
