Unconjugated
PURPOSE:
3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a natural component of cruciferous plants. It has strong antioxidant and anti-angiogenic effects and promotes the apoptosis of a variety of tumor cells. However, little is known about the critical role of DIM on cardiac hypertrophy. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DIM on cardiac hypertrophy.
METHODS:
Multiple molecular techniques such as Western blot analysis, real-time PCR to determine RNA expression levels of hypertrophic, fibrotic and oxidative stress markers, and histological analysis including H&E for histopathology, PSR for collagen deposition, WGA for myocyte cross-sectional area, and immunohistochemical staining for protein expression were used.
RESULTS:
In pre-treatment and reverse experiments, C57/BL6 mouse chow containing 0.05% DIM (dose 100 mg/kg/d DIM) was administered one week prior to surgery or one week after surgery, respectively, and continued for 8 weeks after surgery. In both experiments, DIM reduced to cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by aortic banding through the activation of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-α2 (AMPKα2) and inhibition of mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Furthermore, DIM protected against cardiac oxidative stress by regulating expression of estrogen-related receptor-alpha (ERRα) and NRF2 etc. The cardioprotective effects of DIM were ablated in mice lacking functional AMPKα2.
CONCLUSION:
DIM significantly improves left ventricular function via the activation of AMPKα2 in a murine model of cardiac hypertrophy.
15-Deoxy-∆(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ligand, has been reported to have antiproliferative activity in certain types of cancer. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of 15d-PGJ(2) on endometrial cancer cells, as well as the mechanism of action. Endometrial cancer-derived cells (HHUA, Ishikawa and HEC-59) were treated with various concentrations of 15d-PGJ(2), and its effects on cell growth, the cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated in vitro. Using cDNA microarrays, some potential targets of this drug were identified. All endometrial cancer cell lines were sensitive to the growth-inhibitory effect of 15d-PGJ(2). Cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis were observed. Concerning the gene expression changes induced by 15d-PGJ(2) treatment, the upregulation of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) and the downregulation of anterior gradient homolog 3 (AGR3) and nitric oxide synthase 2A (NOS2A) were confirmed using western blot analysis in all the cell lines examined. These results suggest that 15d-PGJ(2) may be a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of endometrial cancer.