Research Article
Norcantharidin Inhibits an Angiogenesis of Croquel-180 Sarcomatous Cells
Hong-Chol Ri,
Dong-Min Han,
Kwang-Il To*
,
Yong Il Yun,
Song-Nam Go,
Chang-Guk Kim,
Su-Chol Rim
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
37-44
Received:
11 May 2025
Accepted:
11 June 2025
Published:
10 July 2025
Abstract: Norcantharidin (NCTD) is a demethylated water-soluble synthetic small molecule of cantharidin (CTD), has been reported that it has anticancer activities including apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis. NCTD reduced VEGF production and the expression of integrin-β1 in tumor cells even at the low concentrations with less toxicity to the kidney or liver, and destroyed vimentin to inhibit angiogenesis in tumor cells by inducing anoikis of vascular endothelial cells. In addition, basing on recent data that the metastasis and recurrence of tumor are closely related to angiogenesis in tumor tissues, Croquel-180 sarcomatous cells, a mesenchyma-derived cells group with better angiogenesis were transplanted to Chick embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) and the anti-angiogenic effect of NCTD was examined. When NCTD was injected at a dose of 40µg/µL and 80µg/µL, there was significant decrease in the number of microvascular branches than the control group. There was no significant difference in microvascular density (MVD) when NCTD was injected at a dose of 20µg/μL, but at a dose of 40µg/µL and 80µg/µL, MVD decreased significantly compared to the control. We reaffirmed that NCTD is a drug that can specifically inhibit angiogenesis in tumor tissues through CAM experiments, and that it is a very effective drug that can be applied to antitumor therapy targeting angiogenesis in tumor tissues. Norcantharidin is a powerful angiogenesis inhibitor capable of sufficiently inhibiting angiogenesis in tumor tissue. We confirmed that it has potential application value applicable to tumor treatment targeting endothelial cells.
Abstract: Norcantharidin (NCTD) is a demethylated water-soluble synthetic small molecule of cantharidin (CTD), has been reported that it has anticancer activities including apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis. NCTD reduced VEGF production and the expression of integrin-β1 in tumor cells even at the low concentrations with less toxicity to the kidney or liver, an...
Show More
Research Article
Analysis of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Start Codon Polymorphism (Rs2228570) in Hemodialysis Patients from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
45-51
Received:
2 July 2025
Accepted:
14 July 2025
Published:
30 July 2025
Abstract: In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those undergoing hemodialysis, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent. Individual sensitivity to vitamin D can be influenced by genetic variations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Among these, the rs2228570 polymorphism, located in exon 2 and commonly referred to as the FokI polymorphism, produces two protein isoforms with differing transcriptional activity. Although this polymorphism has been widely studied in other populations, data on its distribution in West African populations, particularly among individuals with altered vitamin D metabolism, such as hemodialysis patients, remain scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of the rs2228570 (FokI) polymorphism in the VDR gene among hemodialysis patients in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. In a cross-sectional study, genomic DNA from fifty adult patients with CKD were extracted from whole blood samples. The DNA region spanning the SNP of interest was amplified by PCR. The amplified DNA was subjected to the action of FokI restriction enzymes. Genotyping was performed by analysis of the length of restriction fragments by 3% agarose gel electrophoresis. The mean age of the study population was 40±17 years, with a sex ratio of 1.9. Genotyping was successfully performed in forty-three of the fifty patients included. Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated, and their distribution was assessed. The FF (CC) genotype was the most frequent (79%), followed by the Ff (CT) and ff (TT) genotypes at 16% and 5%, respectively. Our findings highlight a high frequency of the FF genotype of the VDR gene in hemodialysis patients in Abidjan. Future research is needed to investigate the functional impact of this genotype on vitamin D status and its potential clinical implications in this population.
Abstract: In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those undergoing hemodialysis, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent. Individual sensitivity to vitamin D can be influenced by genetic variations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Among these, the rs2228570 polymorphism, located in exon 2 and commonly referred to as the FokI polymor...
Show More