Cadmium Induced Apoptosis in MG63 Cells by Increasing ROS, Activation of p38 MAPK and Inhibition of ERK 1/2 Pathways.

Background/aims: Cadmium (Cd) induces apoptosis in different kinds of cells, including osteoblasts, both in vivo and in vitro. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which Cd induces apoptosis.

Methods: In the present study, we used the human osteosarcoma cell line MG63, which has characteristics similar to human osteoblasts, as an in vitro model to determine the cellular mechanisms by which Cd induces apoptosis.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and serum interleukin-18 in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection stimulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Levels of circulating interleukin-18 (IL-18) have been positively correlated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and coronary plaque area and have identified IL-18 levels as important predictors of coronary events and cardiovascular mortality.

Aspirin inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated fractalkine expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Background: Fractalkine is an important chemokine mediating local monocyte accumulation and inflammatory reactions in the vascular wall. Aspirin inhibits inflammatory cytokine expression closely related to atherosclerosis through the way independent of platelet and cyclooxygenase (COX). There has been no report about the effect of aspirin on fractalkine expression.