Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019204 (hepatocellular carcinoma)
 71,386 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) is an antioxidant used in a number of conditions related to liver diseases. Herein, we investigated the effect of alpha-LA on the development of rat pre-neoplastic lesions generated by a model of hepatocarcinogenesis, which has similarities in its histopathological sequence to human hepatocellular carcinoma development with cirrhosis. Initiation of hepatocytes was achieved by treatment with a single dose of diethylnitrosamine and promotion by feeding a choline-methionine-deficient diet (CMD), with or without alpha-LA. Pre-neoplastic lesions were identified by their positivity to the placental form of glutathione S-transferase (GSTP) or to gamma glutamyl transpeptidase. alpha-LA given to rats fed a CMD for 6 weeks dramatically increased the number of GSTP-positive foci as compared with rats fed a CMD alone (96/cm(2) versus 7/cm(2)), the mean foci area (0.033 versus 0.008 mm(2)) and the percentage of GSTP-positive liver tissue (3.01 versus 0.07%). Essentially similar results were obtained after 10 weeks of treatment. Co-treatment with CMD + alpha-LA also resulted in the enhancement of fat accumulation, lipid peroxidation and hepatocyte death; increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cytochrome 2E1 and cyclooxygenase-2, enhanced activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase and signal transducer activator of transcription 3, and chronic hepatocyte proliferation was also observed. No such effects were observed when alpha-LA was added to a choline-supplemented diet. In conclusion, administration of alpha-LA in conditions associated with hepatic damage aggravates liver injury and stimulates the development of pre-neoplastic lesions; the results also suggest caution in its use in the presence of chronic liver injury.
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PMID:Alpha-lipoic acid promotes the growth of rat hepatic pre-neoplastic lesions in the choline-deficient model. 1789 35

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors have been demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of cancer cells including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We sought to explore the mechanisms by which JTE-522, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, suppressed the growth of human HCC cells. HCC cells (HepG2, HLF, huH1, Huh7, and PLC/PRF/5 cells) did not express COX-2 at either the mRNA or protein level. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in medium were not significantly modulated by the JTE-522 treatment. However, MTT assays disclosed that escalating doses (100 nM to 100 microM) of JTE-522 significantly inhibited the growth of all HCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. JTE-522 induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, which was in part mediated by downregulation of cyclin E. Hallmarks of apoptosis, including the sub-G1 fraction by flow cytometric analysis and nuclear fragmentation by nuclear staining, were not significantly induced after the JTE-522 treatment. In addition, JTE-522 enhanced the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma protein in HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 cells. Our data demonstrate that JTE-522 inhibited the growth of HCC cells in a COX-2-independent manner, and that the growth inhibition was in part mediated by the cell cycle arrest and the upregulation of PPAR-gamma protein.
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PMID:Mechanisms of anti-proliferative effect of JTE-522, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on human liver cancer cells. 1791 86

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic hepatitis, which often results in the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In this study, we demonstrated that the non-structural protein NS3 of HCV enhances cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene promoter activity, COX-2 mRNA expression, COX-2 protein production, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. We also showed that transcription factor NF-kappaB is required for the activation of COX-2 regulated by NS3. In addition, multiple signaling pathways are involved cooperatively in the expression of COX-2 activated by the viral protein in a calcium-independent manner, which requires signaling components including JNK, ERK, and PKD2. A thorough investigation of mechanism involved in the activation of COX-2 regulated by HCV would provide insights into our understanding the processes of liver inflammatory response and hepatocellular carcinoma development caused by the viral infection and also into the development of novel therapeutics against HCV infection.
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PMID:NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus regulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression through multiple signaling pathways. 1796 30

We reviewed the literature regarding the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) preparations enriched in specific isomers, cis9, trans11-CLA (c9, t11-CLA) or trans10, cis12-CLA (t10, c12-CLA), on tumorigenesis in vivo and growth of tumor cell lines in vitro. We also examined the potential mechanisms by which CLA isomers may alter the incidence of cancer. We found no published reports that examined the effects of purified CLA isomers on human cancer in vivo. Incidence of rat mammary tumors induced by methylnitrosourea was decreased by c9, t11-CLA in all studies and by t10, c12-CLA in just a few that included it. Those 2 isomers decreased the incidence of forestomach tumors induced by benzo (a) pyrene in mice. Both isomers reduced breast and forestomach tumorigenesis. The c9, t11-CLA isomer did not affect the development of spontaneous tumors of the intestine or mammary gland, whereas t10, c12-CLA increased development of genetically induced mammary and intestinal tumors. In vitro, t10, c12-CLA inhibited the growth of mammary, colon, colorectal, gastric, prostate, and hepatoma cell lines. These 2 CLA isomers may regulate tumor growth through different mechanisms, because they have markedly different effects on lipid metabolism and regulation of oncogenes. In addition, c9, t11-CLA inhibited the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and t10, c12-CLA inhibited the lipooxygenase pathway. The t10, c12-CLA isomer induced the expression of apoptotic genes, whereas c9, t11-CLA did not increase apoptosis in most of the studies that assessed it. Several minor isomers including t9, t11-CLA; c11, t13-CLA; c9, c11-CLA; and t7, c11-CLA were more effective than c9, t11-CLA or t10, c12-CLA in inhibiting cell growth in vitro. Additional studies with purified isomers are needed to establish the health benefit and risk ratios of each isomer in humans.
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PMID:Conjugated linoleic acid isomers and cancer. 1802 71

Silymarin is a naturally available bioflavonoid and is a strong antioxidant with a capacity to inhibit the formation of tumors in several cancer models. In the present study, we investigated whether dietary supplementation of silymarin has any role in lipid components, lipid-metabolizing enzymes, free fatty acid profile, and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. NDEA-induced rats showed severe hyperlipidemia along with upregulated expression of COX-2 as revealed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Dietary silymarin supplementation attenuated this hyperlipidemia and downregulated the expression of COX-2. Thus we conclude that compounds like silymarin with potent hypolipidemic effect are strong candidates as chemopreventive agents for the treatment of liver cancer.
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PMID:Silymarin downregulates COX-2 expression and attenuates hyperlipidemia during NDEA-induced rat hepatocellular carcinoma. 1837 78

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are all playing roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the reversing effects of COX-2 inhibitors on the neoplastic features caused by HBx protein is still unclear. To further evaluate the therapeutic potential of celecoxib on HBx mediated transformation, HCC cells transfected with HBx gene were treated with COX-2 selective inhibitor, celecoxib. The amount the main metabolite of COX-2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), was determined by using high sensitivity ELISA. Electron microscope and flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to identify the molecules involved in celecoxib induced cell apoptosis. The results showed that celecoxib inhibited cell growth more significantly and also induced more cell apoptosis in HBx over-expression cells than in control cells. Celecoxib could selectively inhibited COX-2 expression and PGE2 production. Celecoxib also inhibited p(473Ser)Akt, raf and p53 expression, and induced apoptosis by release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase 9, 3, and 6, which were more remarkably in HBx positive cells than in control cells. These results suggest that celecoxib had potent cell growth inhibitory effects on HBx positive HCC cells mainly through inducing more cell apoptosis, and these findings provide a new insight into the anticancer effects of celecoxib against HBx related HCC.
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PMID:Potent cell growth inhibitory effects in hepatitis B virus X protein positive hepatocellular carcinoma cells by the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib. 1850 60

We previously reported that celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, suppresses growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through both COX-2 dependence and independence. Recently, we established COX-2-deleted human HCC cells, C2D-HuH7, and C2D-HuH7-bearing nude mice. Using this novel model, we examined the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of celecoxib on in-vivo growth of HCC xenografts in relation to COX-2 expression. After treatment with celecoxib, the mice bearing HuH7 or C2D-HuH7 xenografts were assessed for the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of celecoxib on HCC xenograft growth in relation to COX-2 expression. Celecoxib resulted in an effective and comparable growth reduction of both COX-2-expressing and COX-2-deleted HuH7 xenografts in association with decreased Ki-67 expression. These results demonstrated celecoxib's COX-2-independent in-vivo anti-HCC effects. Celecoxib increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma predominantly in HuH7 xenografts, indicating its COX-2 dependency. Celecoxib reduced p-Rb and DP1/E2F1 complex predominantly via upregulated p21/CDK4 complex in HuH7 xenograft, but p27/CDK4 complex in C2D-HuH7 xenografts. The effects of celecoxib on phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten/PI3K/Akt signaling were COX-2 independent, but its effects on extracellular-regulated kinase signaling seemed COX-2 dependent. In addition, the effects of celecoxib on AC-H3, AC-H4, and histone deacetylase 2 could be both COX-2 dependent and independent. In conclusion, celecoxib suppresses growth of HuH7 xenografts regardless of COX-2 expression, which may be mediated through different signaling.
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PMID:In-vivo effects and mechanisms of celecoxib-reduced growth of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-expressing versus COX-2-deleted human HCC xenografts in nude mice. 1876 3

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common human cancer with high mortality, and currently, there is no effective chemoprevention or systematic treatment. Recent evidence suggests that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived PGE(2) and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways are implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we report that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) inhibit HCC growth through simultaneously inhibition of COX-2 and beta-catenin. DHA and EPA treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of cell viability with cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in three human HCC cell lines (Hep3B, Huh-7, HepG2). In contrast, AA, a omega-6 PUFA, exhibited no significant effect. DHA and EPA treatment caused dephosphorylation and thus activation of GSK-3beta, leading to beta-catenin degradation in Hep3B cells. The GSK-3beta inhibitor, LiCl, partially prevented DHA-induced beta-catenin protein degradation and apoptosis. Additionally, DHA induced the formation of beta-catenin/Axin/GSK-3beta binding complex, which serves as a parallel mechanism for beta-catenin degradation. Furthermore, DHA inhibited PGE(2) signaling through downregulation of COX-2 and upregulation of the COX-2 antagonist, 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. Finally, the growth of HCC in vivo was significantly reduced when mouse HCCs (Hepa1-6) were inoculated into the Fat-1 transgenic mice, which express a Caenorhabditis elegans desaturase converting omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs endogenously. These findings provide important preclinical evidence and molecular insight for utilization of omega-3 PUFAs for the chemoprevention and treatment of human HCC.
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PMID:Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through blocking beta-catenin and cyclooxygenase-2. 1988 46

Chronic inflammation can be a major risk factor for cancer development and may contribute to the high worldwide incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is known to be an important mediator of inflammatory responses; however, its link to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-mediated inflammatory responses has not been established. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein was significantly elevated in cells transfected by HBV replicon but not in cells transfected by HBV genome lacking the HBx gene. Notably, COX-2 induction was correlated with HBx's ability to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Consistently with this, antioxidant treatment and ectopic expression of manganese superoxide dismutase or catalase completely abolished COX-2 induction. Interestingly, a mitochondria localization-defective mutant of HBx (HBx(Delta 68-117)) neither increased intracellular ROS levels nor induced COX-2 expression. HBx(68-117), which encodes only amino acids 68-117 and is sufficient for mitochondria localization, increased ROS levels but did not induce COX-2 expression. Similarly, HBx targeting to the outer membrane of mitochondria (Mito-HBx) increased ROS but also failed to increase COX-2 expression, suggesting that other cytoplasmic signaling pathways are involved in HBx-mediated COX-2 induction. Indeed, inhibition of cytoplasmic calcium signaling by cyclosporine A, blocking mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and herbimycin, and inhibition of calcium-dependent tyrosine kinase suppressed HBV-mediated COX-2 induction. Thus, the data indicate that both mitochondrial ROS and cytoplasmic calcium signaling are necessary for the COX-2 induction. Our studies revealed a pathophysiological link between HBV infection and hepatic inflammation, and this chain of events might contribute to early steps in HBV-associated liver carcinogenesis.
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PMID:HBx targeting to mitochondria and ROS generation are necessary but insufficient for HBV-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression. 1994 Sep 73

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms by which HBx mediates liver cell proliferation. We found that HBx upregulated the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in liver cells. HBx-induced p-ERK1/2 was abolished by inhibition of Gi/o proteins, COX or LOX. In addition, HBx increased the amounts of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) released from cell lines derived from hepatocytes. Moreover, these released arachidonic acid metabolites were able to activate ERK1/2. Interestingly, activated ERK1/2 could upregulate the expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX in a positive feedback manner. In conclusion, HBx enhances and maintains liver cell proliferation via a positive feedback loop involving COX-2, 5-LOX, released arachidonic acid metabolites, Gi/o proteins and p-ERK1/2.
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PMID:Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes liver cell proliferation via a positive cascade loop involving arachidonic acid metabolism and p-ERK1/2. 2038 71


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