Abstract Objectives There has been considerable interest in both clinical and preclinical research about the role of phytochemicals in the reduction of risk for cancer in humans. The aim of this ...study was to determine the antineoplastic effects of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in experimental breast cancer in vivo and in vitro. Methods In this experiment, the antineoplastic effects of C. pyrenoidosa in the chemoprevention of N -methyl- N -nitrosourea–induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats were evaluated. Chlorella powder was administered through diet at concentrations of 0.3% and 3%. The experiment was terminated 14 wk after carcinogen administration. At autopsy, mammary tumors were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity assay, parameters of apoptosis, and proliferation after chlorella treatment in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells were carried out. Results Basic parameters of experimental carcinogenesis, mechanism of action (biomarkers of apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis), chosen metabolic variables, and side effects after long-term chlorella treatment in animals were assessed. Chlorella at higher concentration suppressed tumor frequency by 61% ( P < 0.02) and lengthened tumor latency by 12.5 d ( P < 0.02) in comparison with the controls. Immunohistochemical analysis of rat tumor cells showed caspase-7 expression increase by 73.5% ( P < 0.001) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 expression decrease by 19% ( P = 0.07) after chlorella treatment. In a parallel in vitro study, chlorella significantly decreased survival of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In chlorella-treated MCF-7 cells, a significant increase in cells having sub-G0 /G1 DNA content and significant increase of early apoptotic and late apoptotic/necrotic cells after annexin V/PI staining assay were found. Decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing reactive oxygen species generation were observed in the chlorella-treated MCF-7 cells. Conclusions This study is the first report on the antineoplastic effects of C. pyrenoidosa in experimental breast cancer in vivo and in vitro.
Our previous results indicated significant tumor-suppressive effects of different statins in rat mammary carcinogenesis. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the chemopreventive effects of ...Pitavastatin alone and in combination with the pineal hormone melatonin in the model of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Pitavastatin was administered dietary (10mg/kg) and melatonin in an aqueous solution (20μg/ml). Chemoprevention began 7 days prior to carcinogen administration and subsequently continued for 15 weeks until autopsy. At autopsy, mammary tumors were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Compared to controls, Pitavastatin alone reduced average tumor volume by 58% and lengthened latency by 8 days; on the other hand, the drug increased tumor frequency by 23%. Combined administration of Pitavastatin with melatonin decreased tumor frequency by 23%, tumor volume by 44% and lengthened tumor latency by 5.5 days compared to control animals. The analysis of carcinoma cells showed significant increase in caspase-3 expression in both treated groups and a tendency of increased caspase-7 expression after Pitavastatin treatment alone. Significant expression decrease of Ki67 was found in carcinoma cells from both treated groups. Compared to control carcinoma cells, Pitavastatin alone increased VEGF expression by 41%, however melatonin totally reversed its undesirable effect. Pitavastatin combined with melatonin significantly increased femur compact bone thickness in animals. Pitavastatin alone decreased plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol levels, however it significantly increased levels of glucose. In summary, our results show a partial antineoplastic effect of Pitavastatin combined with melatonin in the rat mammary gland carcinoma model.
From clinical practice, obvious positive effects of statins on plasma lipid metabolism are well known. On the other hand, there are several experimental rodent studies, where these beneficial effects ...were not confirmed. The effects of fluvastatin on selected serum lipid parameters in a rat model of experimental breast cancer were determined. The drug was dietary administered at two concentrations of 20 and 200 mg/kg. At the end of the study (experiment duration - 18 weeks) the blood from each animal was collected and serum lipid parameters were evaluated. Fluvastatin in both treated groups significantly increased parameters of serum lipids (mostly in a dose dependent manner). Fluvastatin in both treated groups of animals significantly increased serum levels of triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, and LDL-, HDL-, VLDL-cholesterol when compared to the control group. Our results pointed out to the apparent harmful effects of fluvastatin on plasma lipid metabolism in rat mammary carcinogenesis. Based on our previous results, it seems that rats commonly used in cancer model studies are generally unresponsive to the hypocholesterolemic effects of statins.
Purpose
Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely correlated with cancer; thus, it is proposed that an extract of phytochemicals as present in whole fruits, vegetables, or grains may have ...anti-carcinogenic properties. Thus, the anti-tumour effects of fruit peel polyphenols (Flavin7) in the chemoprevention of
N
-methyl-
N
-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats were evaluated.
Methods
Lyophilized substance of Flavin7 (F7) was administered at two concentrations of 0.3 and 3 % through diet. The experiment was terminated 14 weeks after carcinogen administration, and mammary tumours were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay, apoptosis and proliferation after F7 treatment in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells were performed.
Results
High-dose F7 suppressed tumour frequency by 58 % (
P
< 0.001), tumour incidence by 24 % (
P
< 0.05), and lengthened latency by 8 days (
P
> 0.05) in comparison with the control rats, whereas lower dose of F7 was less effective. Histopathological analysis of tumours showed significant decrease in the ratio of high-/low-grade carcinomas after high-dose F7 treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of rat carcinoma cells in vivo found a significant increase in caspase-3 expression and significant decrease in Bcl-2, Ki67, and VEGFR-2 expression in the high-dose group. Both doses demonstrated significant positive effects on plasma lipid metabolism in rats. F7 significantly decreased survival of MCF-7 cells in vitro in MTT assay by dose- and time-dependent manner compared to control. F7 prevented cell cycle progression by significant enrichment in G1 cell populations. Incubation with F7 showed significant increase in the percentage of annexin V-/PI-positive MCF-7 cells and DNA fragmentation.
Conclusions
Our results reveal a substantial tumour-suppressive effect of F7 in the breast cancer model. We propose that the effects of phytochemicals present in this fruit extract are responsible for observed potent anti-cancer activities.
Present relationship between a man and a biosphere results from the level of progress of human civilization. The idea of permanently sustainable development is based on condition of positive ...qualitative attitudes, behavior and actions of people in the various spheres of society. Education and training is the main tool of creating positive attitudes towards the environment and permanently sustainable development. At present, developing contextual thinking in pupils seems to be in the forefront of the educational process. The need for direct contact with the environment and direct participation in the monitoring and problem solving activities prevails over the need of obtaining individual knowledge. We can "brand" this understanding of education as an environmental education. According to the progressive changes in the lifestyle of population, it is necessary to implement environmental education in all the social and educational levels of education. It cannot be understood as an isolated matter, but it must be an integral part of education as well as professional training for life. It must not be applied forcibly and should focus specifically on the environmental conditions of men. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
On the basis of preclinical and clinical evidence, statins lead to risk reduction of several types of neoplasia including breast cancer. This study is the first report on the preventive effects of ...fluvastatin in experimental breast cancer in vivo. In this experiment, the antineoplastic effects of fluvastatin in the chemoprevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats were evaluated. The effects of fluvastatin on selected parameters of apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis in mammary tumor cells were determined. The drug was dietary administered at two concentrations of 20 and 200 mg/kg. The experiment was terminated 17 weeks after carcinogen administration; mammary tumors were removed and prepared for histomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis. The basic parameters of experimental carcinogenesis, chosen metabolic variables, and side effects after long-term fluvastatin treatment in animals were assessed. Fluvastatin at higher concentrations suppressed tumor frequency by 63% and tumor incidence by 33% in comparison with the controls. After fluvastatin treatment, immunohistochemical analysis of tumor cells showed a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 expression by 86% and an increase in caspase-3 by 8.5%. Fluvastatin in both treated groups significantly increased the parameters of serum lipid metabolism and significantly decreased femur compact bone thickness and body weight in animals. Our results suggest that fluvastatin and other statins should be further evaluated for tumor-preventive characteristics.
Abstract Stem cells have the capability of self-renewal and can differentiate into different cell types that might be used in regenerative medicine. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s ...disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) currently lack effective treatments. Although stem cell therapy is still on the way from bench to bedside, we consider that it might provide new hope for patients suffering with neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we will give an overview of recent studies on the potential therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and perinatal stem cells to neurodegenerative disorders and we will describe their immunomodulatory mechanisms of action in specific therapeutic modalities.
Epidemiological studies indicate that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, or statins, play a role in inhibition of several human neoplasia including breast cancer. In this ...study, chemopreventive effects of atorvastatin in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats were evaluated. Atorvastatin was administered in the diet at two concentrations: 10 mg/kg (ATOR 10) and 100 mg/kg (ATOR 100). Atorvastatin treatment began 8 days prior to carcinogen administration and subsequently continued for 15 weeks till the end of the experiment. Atorvastatin at a higher dose suppressed tumor frequency by 80.5% (P = 0.0008) and tumor incidence by 49.5% (P = 0.015), and extended latency period by 14 days (P = 0.076) when compared to the control group. Atorvastatin at a lower dose did not significantly alter tumor parameters in comparison with the control group. In the specimens of mammary tumors, atorvastatin (in the ATOR 100 group) significantly decreased mRNA expression of Bcl-2 gene but non-significantly increased Bax mRNA expression compared to control group. Atorvastatin administration did not alter serum concentration of triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol in comparison with controls. This study is the first report on tumor suppressive effect of atorvastatin in rat mammary carcinogenesis.
Trenutni odnos između čovjeka i biosfere rezultat je napretka ljudske civilizacije. Ideja trajno održivog razvoja temelji se na pozitivnim kvalitativnim stavovima, ponašanju i djelovanju ljudi u ...raznim sferama društva. Obrazovanje i osposobljavanje je glavni alat za stvaranje pozitivnih stavova prema okolišu i trajno održivi razvoj. Trenutačno, razvoj kontekstualnog razmišljanja kod učenika je u prvom planu u odgojno-obrazovnom procesu. Potreba za izravanim kontaktom s okolinom i izravnim sudjelovanjem u praćenju i rješavanju problema prevladava nad potrebom dobivanja pojedinačnog znanja. Možemo "brandirati" takvo obrazovanja kao obrazovanje za okoliš. Prema progresivnim promjenama u načinu života stanovništva, neophodno je provesti obrazovanje za okoliš na svim društvenim razinama obrazovanja. To ne može biti shvaćeno kao izolirana materija, ali mora biti sastavni dio odgoja i obrazovanja, kao i stručno osposobljavanje za život. Ne smije se primjenjivati na silu, a treba se posebno usredotočiti na ekološkim uvjete u kojima ljudi žive.
Voda nije komercijalni proizvod, već naslijeđe koje moramo poštivati i zaštititi. Globalni problem vode doveo je do usvajanja koordinirane politike o vodi u državama članicama EU. 22. prosinca 2000. ...Stupila je na snagu direktiva n.2000/60/EC kojom se uspostavlja okvirna politika voda, nazvana Okvirna direktiva o vodama. Direktiva daje zakonski okvir za uvođenje jedinstvene politike voda u EU. Prema zahtjevima Direktive države članice moraju utvrditi antropogene utjecaje na stanje površinskih voda i uvesti nadzor programa za površinske vode. Nastavnici i učenici na Katoličkom sveučilištu aktivno su uključeni u praćenje tokova vode. Kao dio projekta u tijeku učenja, studenti uče metodologiju za praćenje rijeka.
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