Biochemical and biophysical research communications
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · May 2012
Magnetic bead-based salivary peptidome profiling analysis during orthodontic treatment durations.
Orthodontic treatment induces various biological responses, including tooth movement and remodeling of alveolar bone. Although some studies have investigated the contribution of orthodontic procedures to changes in saliva conditions, little is known about the effects of different treatment durations on the saliva proteome. To identify the discriminating protein profiles in unstimulated whole saliva of orthodontic patients with different treatment durations, we used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) combined with magnetic bead, and peptide mass fingerprints were created by scanning MS signals. ⋯ Differential expression of the peptidome profile also occurred in the multiple comparisons, and we established a fitting model. Thus, the potential discriminating biomarkers investigated in this study reflected the complicated changes in periodontal tissues during orthodontic treatment and indicated dynamic interactions between orthodontic treatment and the saliva proteome. The results provide novel insights into alterations in salivary proteins due to different orthodontic treatment durations and may lead to the development of a therapeutic monitoring strategy for orthodontics.
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · May 2012
Noscapine induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human colon cancer cells in vivo and in vitro.
Noscapine, a phthalide isoquinoline alkaloid derived from opium, has been widely used as a cough suppressant for decades. Noscapine has recently been shown to potentiate the anti-cancer effects of several therapies by inducing apoptosis in various malignant cells without any detectable toxicity in cells or tissues. However, the mechanism by which noscapine induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells remains unclear. ⋯ Moreover, in a xenograft tumor model in mice, noscapine injection clearly inhibited tumor growth via the induction of apoptosis, which was demonstrated using a TUNEL assay. These results suggest that noscapine induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells via mitochondrial pathways. Noscapine may be a safe and effective chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of human colon cancer.
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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. · May 2012
The critical role of spinal ceramide in the development of partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain in mice.
Recent observations indicate that peripheral nerve injury induces central sensitization through microglial activation and the release of inflammatory cytokines, resulting in the development of neuropathic pain. However, the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the involvement of spinal ceramide, a bioactive lipid, in the development of neuropathic pain induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL). ⋯ In the von Frey test, intrathecal injection of the ceramide biosynthesis inhibitors Fumonisin B1 and GW4869 at 3h and day 3 after PSL significantly attenuated PSL-induced tactile allodynia. By immunohistochemistry, microglial activation in the dorsal horn was suppressed by Fumonisin B1 and GW4869. Therefore, we conclude that spinal ceramide may play a crucial role in PSL-induced neuropathic pain through the activation of microglia.