Fu Jen Catholic University

About: Fu Jen Catholic University is a education organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 9512 publications receiving 171005 citations. The organization is also known as: FJU & Fu Jen.

Diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide inhibit migration and invasion in human colon cancer colo 205 cells through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase‐2, ‐7, and ‐9 expressions

Abstract: Diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) are major organosulfur compounds exiting in garlic (Allium sativum). These compounds are reported to exhibit various pharmacological properties such as antibacteria, antiangiogenesis, anticancer, and anticoagulation, and they also induce cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis in human cancer cells. Although these compounds show wide spectrum of biological activities, there are no reports to show that DAS, DADS, and DATS affected migration and invasion of human colon cancer cells, and their exact molecular mechanisms are not well investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether DAS, DADS, and DATS affected the invasion and migration abilities of colo 205 human colon cancer cells. The results indicate that DAS, DADS, and DATS at 10 and 25 μM inhibited the migration and invasion of colo 205 cells in the order of DATS < DADS < DAS. DATS is the highest for inhibition of migration and invasion of colo 205 cells. DAS, DADS, and DATS induce downregulation expression of PI3K, Ras, MEKK3, MKK7, ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 and then lead to the inhibition of MMP-2, -7, and -9. DAS, DADS, and DATS inhibited NF-κB and COX-2 for leading to the inhibition of cell proliferation. Taken together, these results demonstrated that application of DAS, DADS, and DATS might serve as potential antimetastatic drugs.

STAT3 mediates regorafenib-induced apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: Purpose: Here, we aim to investigate the molecular mechanism of regorafenib and verify the potential druggable target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Experimental Design: HCC cell lines (PLC5, HepG2, Hep3B, SK-Hep1, and HA59T) were used to investigate the in vitro effect of regorafenib. Phosphatase activity was analyzed in HCC cells and purified SHP-1 proteins. PLC5-bearing mice were used to test the therapeutic efficiency of 20 and 40 mg/kg/d treatment with regorafenib (\( n \ge 8 \) mice). The clinical relevance of STAT3 signaling was investigated with 142 tumor samples from different patients with HCC. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to compare the baseline characteristics of patients and the expression of p-STAT3. Results: Regorafenib inhibited STAT3-related signaling in a dose-dependent manner and was a more potent inhibitor of STAT3 than sorafenib. Regorafenib increased SHP-1 phosphatase activity in purified SHP-1 protein directly. N-SH2 domain deletion and D61A mutants mimicking open-form SHP-1 partially abolished regorafenib-induced STAT3 inhibition and apoptosis. Importantly, a higher level of expression of STAT3 was found in patients with advanced clinical stages ( P = 0.009) and poorly differentiated tumors ( P = 0.035). Conclusions: Regorafenib induced significant tumor inhibition by relieving the autoinhibited N-SH2 domain of SHP-1 directly and inhibiting p-STAT3 signals. STAT3 may be suitable as a prognostic marker of HCC development, and may be a druggable target for HCC-targeted therapy using regorafenib. Clin Cancer Res; 20(22); 5768–76. ©2014 AACR .

Risk of Uveitis Among People With Psoriasis: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Abstract: Importance Uveitis has been associated with psoriatic arthritis, but to our knowledge, the relationship between uveitis and psoriasis is unsettled among researchers. Objective To evaluate the risk of incident uveitis among people with psoriasis. Design, Setting, and Participants This nationwide, retrospective cohort study conducted in Taiwan from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2012 included 147 954 people with psoriasis (including 10 107 with concomitant psoriatic arthritis and 137 847 without psoriatic arthritis) and 147 954 nonpsoriatic controls. Exposure Psoriasis. Main Outcomes and Measures Risk of incident uveitis. Results The mean (SD) age of the 295 908 study participants was 44.4 (19.8) years, and 41.2% (n = 121 878) were women. We found that the group with severe psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis had the greatest risk of incident uveitis compared with the nonpsoriatic controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.90-3.02). The group with severe psoriasis without psoriatic arthritis and the group with mild psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis also had an increased risk of incident uveitis (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.23-1.64; and 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03-1.96; respectively). However, an increased risk for incident uveitis with mild psoriasis without psoriatic arthritis was not identified (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20). Conclusions and Relevance People with severe psoriasis and those with mild psoriasis have an increased risk of uveitis. Clinicians may use this finding as a guide for uveitis risk stratification among patients with different inflammatory presentations on the spectrum of psoriatic disease.

Apigenin induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in human lung cancer A549 cells through Bax- and Bcl-2-triggered mitochondrial pathway

Abstract: The molecular mechanism and possible signaling pathway of apigenin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells has not been reported. We investigated the role of ROS, Ca2+, caspases and Bax proteins and mitochondria membrane potential in apigenin-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of apigenin then cell morphological changes, DNA damage, cell viability and apoptosis were determined by Comet assay, and flow cytometric analysis. Sub-G1 phase was also examined. Western blot analysis was used to determined the levels of Bax and Bcl-2 and apoptosis associated proteins, and confocal laser microscope for examining the translocation of associated protein after exposed to apigenin. The results indicated that apigenin induced morphological changes, decreased percentage of viable cells and induced apoptosis dose- and time-dependently. DAPI staining and Comet assay also confirmed that apigenin-induced DNA condensation and damage. The levels of caspase-3, -8 and -9 involved in apigenin-induced apoptosis indicating caspase-dependent pathway was induced by apigenin. Western blotting showed that apigenin promoted cytochrome c levels and also induced dysfunction of mitochondria leading to the release of cytochrome c, AIF and Endo G, causing the activation of caspase-9 and -3, then apoptosis in A549 cells.

Separation of lycopene and its cis isomers by liquid chromatography

Abstract: Lycopene is an important biological compound that is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables. Epidemiological study has shown that the dietary intake of lycopene may reduce the risk of certain types of cancers such as prostate cancer. However, the formation ofcis-isomers of lycopene during food processing and storage may decrease its biological activity. Thus, it is important to learn about the content of lycopene and itscis isomers in foods. In this study we compared two types of columns (C18 and C30) and various solvent systems for the separation of lycopene and itscis isomers by HPLC. Results showed that all-trans-lycopene and its ninecis isomers could be resolved by employing a C30 column with a mobile phase of n-butanol-acetonitrile-methylene chloride (30:70:10,v/v/v) and detection at 476 nm within 35 min. A C30 column was found to provide more powerful resolution of lycopene and itscis isomers, but the retention time was drastically increased compared to that of a C18 column. Thecis-isomers of lycopene were tentatively identified as 5-cis, 9-cis, 13-cis, 15-cis-lycopene, and possibly as four lycopene di-cis isomers, based on spectral characteristics and Q ratios as reported in the literature. The method developed in this study could be applied to determine the lycopene content in tomatoes.