MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-cancer activity of a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and a tocotrienol-enriched fraction (TEF) isolated from palm oil, as well as pure vitamin E analogues (α-tocopherol, α-, δ- and γ-tocotrienols) were studied using highly aggressive triple negative MDA-MB-231 cells and oestrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells, both of human breast cancer cell lines. Cell population growth was evaluated using a Coulter particle counter. Cell death mechanism, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and levels of NF-κB were determined using commercial ELISA kits.
RESULTS: Tocotrienols exerted potent anti-proliferative effects on both types of cell by inducing apoptosis, the underlying mechanism of cell death being ascertained using respective IC50 concentrations of all test compounds. There was marked induction of apoptosis in both cell lines by tocotrienols compared to treatment with Paclitaxel, which was used as positive control. This activity was found to be associated with cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (a DNA repair protein), demonstrating involvement of the apoptotic cell death signalling pathway. Tocotrienols also inhibited expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), which in turn can increase sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptosis.
CONCLUSION: Tocotrienols induced anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in association with DNA fragmentation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and NF-κB inhibition in the two human breast cancer cell lines.
METHODS: In this study, we investigated the response of cartilage to the trauma sustained during extraction and determined the time needed for the cartilage to stabilize. Explants were extracted aseptically from bovine metacarpal-phalangeal joints and cultured for up to 17 days.
RESULTS: The cell viability, cell number, proteoglycan content, and collagen content of the harvested explants were analyzed at 0, 2, 10, and 17 days after explantation. A high percentage of the cartilage explants were found to be viable. The cell density initially increased significantly but stabilized after two days. The proteoglycan content decreased gradually over time, but it did not decrease to a significant level due to leakage through the distorted peripheral collagen network and into the bathing medium. The collagen content remained stable for most of the culture period until it dropped abruptly on day 17.
CONCLUSION: Overall, the tested cartilage explants were sustainable over long-term culture. They were most stable from day 2 to day 10. The degradation of the collagen on day 17 did not reach diseased levels, but it indicated the potential of the cultures to develop into degenerated cartilage. These findings have implications for the application of cartilage explants in pathophysiological fields.
METHODS: Healthy soft CL wearers were invited to participate in this study. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using the Snellen chart, and subjective refraction was performed using cross-cylinder technique. Standard ocular assessments were conducted using a slit lamp biomicroscope and morphology of corneal endothelial cells (endothelial cell density, ECD, coefficient variation, COV, hexagonality, HEX and central corneal thickness, CCT) were evaluated using a non-contact specular microscope. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA and data from the right eye only is included.
RESULTS: A total of 72 subjects (32 SiHy and 40 HCL wearers) and 24 non-CL wearers (control) participated in this study. The gender distribution for study subjects was 13 males and 59 females, with a mean age 22.15 ± 1.84 years old. The mean refraction was -1.86 ± 1.25DS. The duration of wearing CL ranged from 1 to 9 years. Subjects were later divided into 2 groups following duration of CL wear: Group 1 (<5 years) and Group 2 (≥5 years) for analysis purposes. Statistical analysis showed significant alterations in ECD, COV and HEX of CL wearers (p cells. Contact lens material and duration of CL wear (in years) are factors that affect the alterations. Optometrists are recommended to regularly evaluate the morphology of corneal endothelial cells in CL wearers and provide necessary intervention when required.