alpha-Mangostin, a novel dietary xanthone, suppresses TPA-mediated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions through the ERK signaling pathway in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells.

This study first investigates the anti-metastatic effect of alpha-mangostin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expressions in human breast adenocarcinoma cells, MCF-7. First, the result demonstrated alpha-mangostin could inhibit TPA-induced abilities of the adhesion, invasion, and migration by cell-matrix adhesion assay and Boyden chamber assay. Data also showed alpha-mangostin could inhibit the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) involved in the downregulation the enzyme activities, protein, and messenger RNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 induced by TPA.

Plumbagin inhibits invasion and migration of liver cancer HepG2 cells by decreasing productions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and urokinase- plasminogen activator.

Aim: To investigate the inhibitory effects of plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2 methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) on the invasion and migration and its correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA) in liver cancer HepG2 cells under non-cytotoxic concentrations.

Methods: The cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The adhesion, migration and invasion were measured by cell-matrix adhesion assay and Boyden chamber assay.

Increased risk of viral hepatitis in Taiwanese male conscriptees with tattoos.

A number of previous literature reviews and research studies have found a correlation between viral hepatitis infections and tattoos. The 1897 subjects of the current study were young adult male military recruits in southern Taiwan (476 with tattoos and 1421 without tattoos) who underwent induction physical examinations before conscription. During the examination, blood samples were collected to screen for hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-hepatitis B HCV), syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus.