Biomedical subjects

Chun Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Chun Liu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Interfacial forces and Marangoni flow on a nematic drop retracting in an isotropic fluid.

Nematic-isotropic interfaces exhibit novel dynamics due to anchoring of the liquid crystal molecules on the interface. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the consequences of such dynamics in the flow field created by an elongated nematic drop retracting in an isotropic matrix. This is accomplished by two-dimensional flow simulations using a diffuse-interface model. By exploring the coupling among bulk liquid crystal orientation, surface anchoring and the flow field, we show that the anchoring energy plays a fundamental role in the interfacial dynamics of nematic liquids. In particular, it gives rise to a dynamic interfacial tension that depends on the bulk orientation. Tangential gradient of the interfacial tension drives a Marangoni flow near the nematic-isotropic interface. Besides, the anchoring energy produces an additional normal force on the interface that, together with the interfacial tension, determines the movement of the interface. Consequently, a nematic drop with planar anchoring retracts more slowly than a Newtonian drop, while one with homeotropic anchoring retracts faster than a Newtonian drop. The numerical results are consistent with prior theories for interfacial rheology and experimental observations.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Involvement of midgastric transverse band in gastric emptying delay of functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Midgastric transverse band (MTB) was first observed over 100 years ago, after that many researchers worked on the subject postulated its physiologic role and the role in gastrointestinal diseases, but its function remains unclear. With progress of imaging methods, the nature of MTB is unveiling. In this study we investigated the effect of MTB on the gastric emptying delay in functional dyspepsia (FD) and explored the mechanism. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with FD and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy people who served as controls were studied. With (99m)Tc-DTPA labeled semi-solid fat-parched flour served as test meal, gastric emptying was examined in all subjects by using single photon emission computed tomography. Test meal was designated as general (60 g fat-parched flour) or large (80 g fat-parched flour) meal. Stomach was divided into proximal and distal parts by MTB. Half gastric emptying time, areas of different gastric parts, intragastric food distribution and MTB width were tested with in given times. RESULTS: Patients with FD showed a delayed gastric emptying and increased intragastric residue. Global and regional gastric emptying velocity was decreased. The areas of distal stomach and MTB were significantly greater in the FD patients than in the controls. Throughout the whole test period a distal stomach-dominated food distribution was shown. Those who took a large meal had longer half gastric emptying time and greater MTB area than those who took a general meal. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric emptying delay is related to enlarged MTB area. Some dyspeptic symptoms may be induced by abnormal distribution and increased retention of food in distal stomach. MTB, being like atria-ventricular valve that controls blood flow in heart, regulates transport, distribution, and emptying of food in the stomach.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Hepatotoxicity of alcohol-induced polar retinol metabolites involves apoptosis via loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Chronic alcohol consumption depletes hepatic vitamin A stores. However, vitamin A supplementation is hepatotoxic, which is further potentiated by concomitant alcohol consumption. It was suggested that polar retinol metabolites generated by alcohol-inducible cytochrome P4502E1 aggravate liver damage. However, experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis is lacking. To elucidate the effects of polar retinol metabolites on cultured HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes, polar retinol metabolites were extracted from liver tissues of rats fed either an alcoholic or isocaloric control Lieber-DeCarli diet. Cell toxicity assays included morphology assessment, trypan blue exclusion test, and LDH/AST leakage. Staining for DAPI and acridine orange, FACS analysis, and Western blot for cleaved caspase-9 and -3 were used to detect apoptosis. Polar retinol metabolites caused marked cytotoxicity in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in both cell types reflected by morphological changes, a dramatic increase in trypan blue positive cells, and LDH/AST leakage. Toxicity was due to apoptosis, as demonstrated by a time-dependent increase of sub-G1 cellular events, a rapid loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and a time-dependent activation of caspase-9 and -3. No toxicity was found with equivalent doses of the control extract from nonalcoholic rats. We demonstrate that polar retinol metabolites cause marked hepatocyte death through the induction of apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Vapor-solid growth and characterization of aluminum nitride nanocones.

Aluminum nitride nanostructures are attractive for many promising applications in semiconductor nanotechnology. Herein we report on vapor-solid growth of quasi-aligned aluminum nitride nanocones on catalyst-coated wafers via the reactions between AlCl3 vapor and NH3 gas under moderate temperatures around 700 degrees C, and the growth mechanism is briefly discussed. The as-prepared wurtzite aluminum nitride nanocones grow preferentially along the c-axis with adjustable dimensions of the sharp tips in the range of 20-60 nm. The photoluminescence spectrum reveals a broad blue emission band with a fine photon structure while the field emission study shows a notable emission current with a moderate turn-on field as expected, suggesting their potential applications in light and electron emission nanodevices.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

A draft sequence for the genome of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori).

We report a draft sequence for the genome of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori), covering 90.9% of all known silkworm genes. Our estimated gene count is 18,510, which exceeds the 13,379 genes reported for Drosophila melanogaster. Comparative analyses to fruitfly, mosquito, spider, and butterfly reveal both similarities and differences in gene content.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Ventilatory acclimatization in response to very small changes in PO2 in humans.

Ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxia (VAH) consists of a progressive increase in ventilation and decrease in end-tidal Pco(2) (Pet(CO(2))). Underlying VAH, there are also increases in the acute ventilatory sensitivities to hypoxia and hypercapnia. To investigate whether these changes could be induced with very mild alterations in end-tidal Po(2) (Pet(O(2))), two 5-day exposures were compared: 1) mild hypoxia, with Pet(O(2)) held at 10 Torr below the subject's normal value; and 2) mild hyperoxia, with Pet(O(2)) held at 10 Torr above the subject's normal value. During both exposures, Pet(CO(2)) was uncontrolled. For each exposure, the entire protocol required measurements on 13 consecutive mornings: 3 mornings before the hypoxic or hyperoxic exposure, 5 mornings during the exposure, and 5 mornings postexposure. After the subjects breathed room air for at least 30 min, measurements were made of Pet(CO(2)), Pet(O(2)), and the acute ventilatory sensitivities to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Ten subjects completed both protocols. There was a significant increase in the acute ventilatory sensitivity to hypoxia (Gp) after exposure to mild hypoxia, and a significant decrease in Gp after exposure to mild hyperoxia (P < 0.05, repeated-measures ANOVA). No other variables were affected by mild hypoxia or hyperoxia. The results, when combined with those from other studies, suggest that Gp varies linearly with Pet(O(2)), with a sensitivity of 3.5%/Torr (SE 1.0). This sensitivity is sufficient to suggest that Gp is continuously varying in response to normal physiological fluctuations in Pet(O(2)). We conclude that at least some of the mechanisms underlying VAH may have a physiological role at sea level.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2004

Mining single nucleotide polymorphisms from EST data of silkworm, Bombyx mori, inbred strain Dazao.

We made use of 81,635 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from 12 different cDNA libraries of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, inbred strain Dazao (P50), to identify high-quality candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). By PHRAP assembling, 12,980 contigs containing 11,537 contigs assembled by more than one read were obtained, and 101 candidate SNPs and 27 single base insertions/deletions were identified from 117 contigs assembled from 1576 high-quality reads base-called with PHRED and screened on the basis of the neighborhood quality standard (NQS). Simultaneously, we also predicted 40 SNPs in coding regions (cSNPs), of which 26 were predicted to lead to amino acid non-synonymous variations and 14 synonymous substitutions. Also, the 1.66:1 ratio of transition/transversion is different from that of other insects. As the first SNP analysis of a Lepidoptera, B. mori, the single nucleotide polymorphic density is estimated to be 1.3 x 10(-3) by sequence diversity. This analysis shows that expressed sequences from multiple libraries may provide an abundant source of comparative reads to mine for cSNPs from the silkworm genome.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed2004

The effect of dietary glutathione and coenzyme Q10 on the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in mice.

Because reactive oxygen species have been implicated as mediators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we evaluated the potential preventive and therapeutic effects of two dietary antioxidants, glutathione (GSH) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Fifty female 8-wk old Swiss-Webster mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups for a pre-treatment "prevention" study: (1) GSH (1% of diet); (2) CoQ10 (200 mg/kg/d); (3) DSS only (3% of drinking water); (4) control (no treatment). The mice in groups 1 and 2 were fed with GSH or CoQ10 for 21 wks, and the mice in groups 1, 2 and 3 were provided DSS from wk 7 for 4 cycles (1 cycle = 1 wk DSS followed by 2-wk water). Another 50 mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups for a 21-wk "treatment" study where the mice in groups 1, 2, and 3 were administered DSS for 6 cycles (18 wks) to induce colitis. GSH and CoQ10 were added from wk 7 until the completion of the protocol. Loose stools and hemocult positivity were modestly but significantly reduced with GSH or CoQ10 at several periods during the intervention in both the prevention and treatment studies. In contrast, histological evaluation revealed increases in colonic dysplasia and ulceration with GSH or CoQ10. Thus, in this mouse model, GSH and CoQ10 appear to have a beneficial effect on acute signs of IBD, but may have an adverse impact on the chronic pathophysiology of the disease. Further studies using additional animal models are required to determine whether GSH or CoQ10 provide a favorable or unfavorable benefit:risk ratio in the prevention or treatment of IBD.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Low dose beta-carotene supplementation of ferrets attenuates smoke-induced lung phosphorylation of JNK, p38 MAPK, and p53 proteins.

We demonstrated previously that smoke exposure and/or high-dose beta-carotene supplementation decreases levels of retinoic acid and retinoic acid receptor beta (RARbeta) protein, but increase levels of c-Jun and proliferating cellular nuclear antigen protein in the lungs of ferrets. In contrast, low-dose beta-carotene can prevent the decreased lung retinoic acid and the smoke-induced lung lesions. In the present study, we investigated whether smoke exposure and/or beta-carotene supplementation could affect Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and p53 in the lungs of ferrets. Ferrets were subjected to cigarette smoke exposure and either a high or low dose of beta-carotene (2 x 3 factorial design) for 6 mo. There were greater protein levels of phosphorylated JNK, p38, and c-Jun, but lower levels of MAPK phophatase-1 (MKP-1) in groups exposed to smoke and/or high dose beta-carotene. Both phosphorylated-p53 and total p53 were substantially increased in the lungs of these groups. In contrast, low-dose beta-carotene greatly attenuated the smoke-induced phosphorylation of JNK, p38, c-Jun, p53, and total p53, accompanied by upregulated MKP-1. Smoke exposure increased MAPK kinase-4 (MKK4) phosphorylation regardless of beta-carotene supplementation. These data indicate that restoration of retinoic acid and MKP-1 by low-dose beta-carotene in the lungs of ferrets may prevent the smoke-induced activation of the JNK-dependent signaling pathway, p38 MAPK, and the associated phosphorylation of p53, thereby lowering the risk of the smoke-related lung lesions. These data provide supportive evidence that the beneficial vs. detrimental effects of beta-carotene supplementation are related to the dosage of beta-carotene administered.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid decrease the production of beta-apo-carotenals and increase the formation of retinoids from beta-carotene in the lung tissues of cigarette smoke-exposed ferrets in vitro.

Previously, we found that exposing ferrets to cigarette smoke enhanced oxidative excentric cleavage of beta-carotene. In the present study, we examined whether alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, or the two combined can prevent smoke-altered beta-carotene metabolism. In vitro incubation of beta-carotene (10 micro mol/L) with lung postnuclear fractions from ferrets exposed to cigarette smoke was carried out in the absence or presence of alpha-tocopherol (50 micro mol/L), ascorbic acid (10 or 50 micro mol/L), or both vitamins to evaluate their effects on the production of beta-apo-carotenals and retinoids from beta-carotene. The oxidative cleavage metabolites of beta-carotene, beta-apo-carotenals (beta-apo-14', beta-apo-12', beta-apo-10', and beta-apo-8'), retinoic acid (RA), and retinal were analyzed by HPLC. We found that the smoke-enhanced production of individual beta-apo-carotenals was significantly decreased by 36-77% when alpha-tocopherol (50 micro mol/L) and ascorbic acid (50 micro mol/L) were added together to the incubation mixture. alpha-Tocopherol alone had a modest effect. Ascorbic acid in the presence of alpha-tocopherol inhibited the production of beta-apo-carotenals in a dose-dependent manner, although ascorbic acid alone had no effect. In contrast, the production of RA and retinal among smoke-exposed ferrets was substantially increased ( approximately 3-fold, P < 0.05) when both alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid were added to the incubation mixtures. However, when ascorbic acid or alpha-tocopherol alone was added, the production of RA among smoke-exposed ferrets increased only modestly (80%, P < 0.05) and did not differ from the RA levels in control ferrets. In conclusion, these data indicate that alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid may act synergistically in preventing the enhanced oxidative excentric cleavage of beta-carotene induced by smoking exposure, thereby facilitating the conversion of beta-carotene into RA and retinal.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Beta-carotene and beta-apo-14'-carotenoic acid prevent the reduction of retinoic acid receptor beta in benzo[a]pyrene-treated normal human bronchial epithelial cells.

Low-dose beta-carotene (BC) supplementation, such as would be provided by daily consumption of approximately 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables, has no apparent detrimental effects, but rather appears to have a protective effect against cigarette smoke-induced lung lesions in ferrets. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BC, beta-apo-14'-carotenoic acid (14'CA), or benzo[a]pyrene (BP; a primary lung carcinogen from cigarette smoke) treatments, either alone or in combination, on cell growth and expression of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. We found that both BC and 14'CA inhibited the growth of NHBE cells (P < 0.05) with or without BP. The level of RARbeta, a tumor suppressor, but not RARalpha or RARgamma, was reduced by 50% in the NHBE cells treated with BP. However, treatment with either BC or 14'CA significantly induced the expression of RARbeta in the NHBE cells, and prevented the reduction of RARbeta by BP. Furthermore, 14'CA transactivated the RARbeta promoter primarily via its conversion to retinoic acid (RA). In the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid, an inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, both RA formation and transactivation activity from 14'CA were decreased. These observations indicate that the growth inhibitory effects of BC and beta-apo-carotenoic acid are through their conversion to RA and upregulation of RARbeta.

Benzo(a)pyrene↗

PubMed2004

[Significance of changes in plasma lipid peroxide levels in critically ill patients after liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between plasma lipid peroxide (LPO) levels and prognosis in critically ill patients after liver transplantation. METHODS: Plasma LPO levels were measured in 18 patients within 21 days after liver transplantation, and their relations to the prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Plasma LPO levels were markedly elevated in patients before state of illness got severe, especially in those with fatal outcome. The peak LPO levels were much higher in non-survivors than in survivors, and mortality rate in patients whose plasma LPO exceeding 10 micromol/L (5/6 cases) was significantly higher than those under 10 micromol/L (1/12 cases, P<0.01). The mortality rate in patients with daily fluctuation range of plasma LPO levels over 1.2 micromol.L(-1).d(-1) was higher than those under 1.2 micromol.L(-1).d(-1), and the difference was significant between two groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Measurement of plasma LPO level might be of clinical significance to properly judge the critically ill conditions, and it can be used as routine examination for patients after liver transplantation.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[The study of illusion in flight on flight pilots].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characteristics of illusion in flight in fighter pilots. METHOD: A survey about illusion in flight was performed in 81 pilots who were under physical examination for modification to equipment of high performance aircraft. RESULT: 1. Among 81 pilots, there were history of illusion in flight in 91.4% (74/81) cases. There were history of inclination illusion in 74 cases, rotation illusion in 1 case, inversion illusion in 1 case and pitch illusion in 1 case. 2. Among the 74 cases, 85.1% (63/74) claim relations with flying subjects, 81.1% (60/74) with distribution of attention, 74.3% (55/74) with light, 73.0% (54/74) with distribution of cloud layer, 71.6% (53/74) with visibility, 67.6%(50/74) with fatigue, 54.1% (40/74) with suspension of flying and 2.7%(2/74) with other factors. When illusion in flight appeared, 70 cases could easily overcome it, 4 cases felt a little difficult, but all 74 cases did not lead aircraft accident or potential accident. CONCLUSION: Instructions in health about illusion in flight have made a considerably positive achievement in airman troops, but it must be continually paid more attention, and meanwhile, the space orientation system of aircraft must be improved.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Construction of pcDNA3.1(+)/ hTSHR and its expression in COS-7 cells].

AIM: To construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)hTSHR and express it in COS-7 cells. METHODS: The full length cDNA sequence of hTSHR was obtained via the plasmid vector pBluescript SK(-)/hTSHR cut with EcoR I and Xba I, and then subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+). Constructed pcDNA3.1/hTSHR was identified by restricting enzyme digestion analysis, PCR amplifying and DNA sequencing. The recombinant expression plasmid was transfected into COS-7 cells by Lipofectin method. Human TSHR protein expression on COS-7 cells was detected by RT-PCR and immunocytochemical staining. RESULTS: Obtained full-length sequence of hTSHR gene was identical with that included in GenBank. Restriction enzyme digestion, PCR amplifying and DNA sequencing confirmed that pcDNA3.1/hTSHR had been constructed successfully. The recombinant plasmid could express hTSHR protein with activity on COS-7 cells. CONCLUSION: The pcDNA3.1/hTSHR has been successfully constructed, which will contribute to further studies on the TSHR function and to the establishment of a good animal model for Graves' disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Three Bombyx mori genes, chi, gluE and fruA, encode proteins homologous to microorganism and primary analysis of horizontal gene transfer].

According to the analysis of large scale EST sequencing of silkworm, Bombyx mori, we found that chi, glue and fruA of silkworm have very high homology at amino acid level and closely phylogenetic relative with that of microorganism, but lower similarity with genes of eelworm (Caenorhabditis elegans), fruitfly (Drosophila melanogaster), mosquito (Anopheles gambiae) and other relative insects, respectively. It indicates that each of them is likely to have common ancestor with that of microorganism. Namely, microbial genes were likely transferred to silkworm by horizontal gene transfer, instead of the vertical inheritance in evolutionary manner.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Analysis of the diagnostic criteria of bladder outlet obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the value of the diagnostic criteria for bladder outlet obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A total of 358 patients with BPH were divided into 3 grades according to fibrous urethrocystoscopy information on the severity of obstructions, which were classified as Grade 1 (slight), Grade 2 (moderate), and Grade 3 (severe). By Schäfer's graph they were divided into 7 grades, represented by 0 to VI. We analyzed the volume of prostate, maximum flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume, International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and detrusor instability. Statistical analysis ANOVA (analysis of variance) was made, spearman correlation evaluated and the coefficient of determination measured. RESULTS: Of all the patients, 27 were classified as Grade 1, 236 as Grade 2 and 95 as Grade 3. Eighty-four patients had detrusor instability. The volumes of the prostate ranged from 16 ml to 145 ml, averaging (47.04 +/- 15.61) ml. The mean maximum flow rate was (10.02 +/- 2.12) ml/min and the mean residual urine volume was (84.06 +/- 36.50) ml. With the increase of the severity of obstruction, the volume of the prostate increased (F = 4.216, P < 0.05), IPSS rose (F = 8.408, P < 0.001), the maximum flow rate decreased (F = 22.43, P < 0.001), the residual urine volume rose (F = 163.232, P < 0.001), the incidence of detrusor instability increased (F = 23.637, P < 0.001) and Schäfer's grades were elevated (F = 202.897, P < 0.001). The volume of the prostate, the maximum flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume, IPSS detrusor instability and Schäfer's grades were all correlated significantly with the severity of the obstruction. The correlation index and coefficient of determination were r = 0.29, R2 = 0.08; r = 0.35, R2 = 0.12; r = -0.69, R2 = 0.47; r = 0.60, R2 = 0.36; r = 0.33, R2 = 0.11; r = 0.72, R2 = 0.52; respectively. The correlation between the urethrocystoscopy information and Schäfer's graph on the severity of the obstruction were the best criteria of all. CONCLUSION: The severity of the obstruction at urethrocystoscopy correlates well with that at urodynamic investigation. Such criteria could improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

[Clinical observation of effect of xiao gu san on cirrhosis ascites].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Xiao Gu San on cirrhosis ascites. METHOD: Groups were randomly divided into treating group and group of western medicine comparision. RESULT: 30 cases of the treating group were observed with the following result: first class curative effect 7; second class 12; the third class 9; effectiveless 2; total effective rate 93.33%. 30 cases of the Group of Comparison: first class curative effect 2; second class 6; the third class 15; effectiveless 7; total effective rate is 76.67%. CONCLUSION: The curative effect of Xiaogu San combined with Western medicine on cirrhosis ascites is better than that of Western medicine alone.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Lycopene supplementation inhibits lung squamous metaplasia and induces apoptosis via up-regulating insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 in cigarette smoke-exposed ferrets.

Higher intake of lycopene is related to a lower risk of lung cancer in human studies. Lung cancer risk is associated with higher plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and/or lower levels of IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). However, little is known regarding whether lycopene can inhibit cigarette smoke-induced lung carcinogenesis through modulation of IGF-I/IGFBP-3, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. We investigated the effects of lycopene supplementation at a low dose (1.1 mg/kg/day, which is equivalent to an intake of 15 mg/day in humans) and a high dose (4.3 mg/kg/day, which is equivalent to 60 mg/day in humans) on plasma IGF-I/IGFBP-3 levels, histopathological changes, proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, BAD phosphorylation, and apoptosis (caspase 3 assay) in lungs of ferrets with or without cigarette smoke exposure for 9 weeks. We found that ferrets supplemented with lycopene and exposed to smoke had significantly higher plasma IGFBP-3 levels (P < 0.01) and a lower IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio (P < 0.01) than ferrets exposed to smoke alone. Both low- and high-dose lycopene supplementations substantially inhibited smoke-induced squamous metaplasia and PCNA expression in the lungs of ferrets. No squamous metaplasia or PCNA overexpression were found in the lungs of control ferrets or those supplemented with lycopene alone. Furthermore, cigarette smoke exposure greatly increased BAD phosphorylation at both Ser(136) and Ser(112) and significantly decreased cleaved caspase 3 in the lungs of ferrets, as compared with controls. The elevated phosphorylation of BAD and down-regulated apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke in the lungs of ferrets was prevented by both low- and high-dose lycopene supplementations. Lycopene levels were increased in a dose-dependent manner in both plasma and lungs of ferrets supplemented with lycopene alone. However, lycopene levels were markedly lower in both plasma and lungs of ferrets supplemented with lycopene and exposed to smoke. Furthermore, smoke exposure increased cis isomers (26% for 13-cis and 22% for 9-cis) of lycopene in the lungs of ferrets, compared with that of ferrets supplemented with lycopene alone (20% for 13-cis and 14% for 9-cis). In conclusion, lycopene may mediate its protective effects against smoke-induced lung carcinogenesis in ferrets through up-regulating IGFBP-3 and down-regulating phosphorylation of BAD, which promote apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation.

Animals↗