Breast cancer holds the top position among the cancers occurring in women. Despite the utilization of surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, there is currently no conclusive treatment available to prevent breast cancer. New treatment approaches are being studied since traditional chemotherapeutics also damage healthy cells. Tempol (TPL) is a potent antioxidant agent that has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity. The objective of this research was to examine the impacts on cell proliferation and apoptosis by using methotrexate (MTX) and TPL individually and in combination on MCF7 breast cancer cells. MCF7 cells were exposed to TPL, MTX, and MTX + TPL for 48 h. The effects of the administered drugs on cell viability were determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis was conducted to assess the levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and the activity of caspase-3 in MCF7 cells. Increasing concentrations of TPL and MTX significantly decreased the proliferation in MCF7 cells in both solo and combined use. Solo and combined use of TPL and MTX significantly increased caspase-3 activity and Bax levels and significantly decreased Bcl-2 levels in the cells. This study revealed that the solo use of TPL and MTX inhibited proliferation and increased apoptotic activity in the cells. In addition, TPL increased the antiproliferative and apoptosis efficiency of MTX on cancer cells as a result of the combined use of these drugs.
The incidence of prostate cancer in the world is increasing every year. Death caused by prostate cancer is increased by 13% in men between 1980 and 2005. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer. Bladder cancer is the second most common of urological malignancies. Most of the bladder cancers are treated with transurethral resection. Even great efforts have been made in the treatment of bladder cancer over the past years, it still remains as a major health problem. New therapeutic approaches are required to prevent the development and metastasis of these diseases. Experimental and clinical studies have shown potential beneficial effects of co-administration of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (beta-blockers) during cancer therapy. This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor activity of beta-blockers on prostate and bladder cancer. Prostate and bladder cancer cell lines were cultured and treated with beta-blocker (propranolol). Then, protein levels and activity of apoptotic pathway mediators and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway mediators were analyzed by ELISA. Propranolol treatment elevated the activity of caspase-3 and expression of bax, Wee1, GADD153 and apoptosis-inducing factor, but decreased bcl-2 which is an antiapoptotic protein. Propranolol treatment also inhibited ERK and JNK activity. This study showed that propranolol will help to inhibit prostate and bladder cancer by activating apoptotic pathway and by inhibiting MAPK pathway. This is the first study investigating the apoptotic effect of propranolol via MAPK on prostate and bladder cancer.
To determine how daylight exposure in mice affects melatonin protein expression in blood and Kiss1 gene expression in the hypothalamus. The second aim was to assess the relationship between skin cancer formation, daylight exposure, melatonin blood level, ...
Given the challenges in treating metastatic melanomas, there is a growing need for novel and effective therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to understand molecular mechanisms underlying synergistic effects of a Tempol and ML210 combination in B16F10 murine melanoma cells and to evaluate its therapeutic potential. We hypothesized that this combination would synergistically induce cell death by increasing oxidative stress and triggering ER stress. B16F10 melanoma cells were treated with Tempol and ML210 alone or in combination for 48 h. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), and intracellular H2O2 levels. Apoptotic markers (caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) and ER stress proteins (GRP78, GADD153, IRE1α, ATF6) were quantified by ELISA. Combination treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation compared to monotherapies. Molecular analyses revealed that combination caused depletion of TAS and increase in TOS and intracellular H2O2 levels. Furthermore, combination treatment synergistically upregulated ER stress markers and pro-apoptotic proteins while significantly suppressing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. In conclusion, the combination of Tempol and ML210 synergistically induces cell death in B16F10 melanoma cells by disrupting redox balance and activating ER stress-mediated apoptosis. These findings suggest a potential strategy for melanoma treatment that warrants further in vivo investigation.
Hypericum perforatum (HP) has been widely used as an alternative medicine due to its active pharmacological properties. While the antiproliferative effects of components such as hypericin and hyperforin have been demonstrated in malignant cell lines, most studies have focused on the pharmacological properties of the HP extract itself. Recent research has indicated that HP and its active substances possess anticancer activities; however, there is a lack of studies examining its effects on osteosarcoma. In addition, HP has demonstrated the ability to mitigate the toxicity of several drugs, including chemotherapeutic agents. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to explore the potential anticancer properties of HP in relation to osteosarcoma cells. MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells were cultured and treated with HP extract. Apoptotic factors were analyzed using ELISA, while cell viability was assessed using the MTT test. The results revealed a significant increase in the activities of proapoptotic proteins GRP78, Wee1, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), GADD153, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells after 48 hours of treatment with HP at a concentration of 0.8%. Conversely, the activity of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein, significantly decreased. Moreover, HP extract demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability in MG-63 cells. In conclusion, HP extract induces apoptosis in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells by upregulating the expressions of proapoptotic proteins GRP78, Wee1, AIF, GADD153, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3. This study will assist researchers in understanding the importance of alternative treatments using HP in the context of human osteosarcoma therapy, which many researchers are currently unaware of.
Purpose: Huntington's Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting nervous system. CAG trinucleotide repeat (TNR) increase in Huntingtin gene causes the disease. In normal individuals, 10-35 TNRs are found whereas in HD this number exceeds 36-37. This study aimed to investigate TNR numbers in individuals with HD diagnosed family and to provide genetic counselling for individuals with abnormal alleles.Materials and Methods: Subjects consist of family members of a male who died at age of 60 due to HD. Randomly selected 57 healthy individuals are also analysed for control. TNR numbers were determined by fragment analysis.Results: TNR numbers of family members were determined as 17, 21, 23, 25, 33, 36 and 39. TNR numbers of randomly selected healthy people were found below 26. Individuals with 33 and 36 TNRs were considered as risk groups. Individuals with 39 TNRs were considered as HD patients.Conclusion: Since some subjects had 39 TNRs, it was emphasized that these people should be under physician control. Prenatal diagnosis is recommended to those who plan to have children. In addition, subjects with 33 and 36 CAG trinucleotide repeats are advised to inform new generations about HD and that they may be affected in future.