title: Berberine inhibits the expression of hypoxia induction factor-1alpha and increases the radiosensitivity of prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The radiation resistance of prostate cancer remains the primary obstacle to improve patient survival. This study aimed to investigate the effects of berberine, a commonly used natural product, on the radiosensitivity of prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prostate cancer cell line LNCaP and DU-145 were subjected to hypoxia and/or ionizing radiation (IR), in the presence or absence of berberine treatment. Cell growth and colony formation, and apoptosis were evaluated. Moreover, LNCaP cells were xenografted into nude mice and subjected to IR and/or berberine treatment. The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in prostate cancer cells and xenografts was detected by Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Berberine increased radiosensitivity of prostate cancer cells and xenografts in a dose dependent manner, and this was correlated with the inhibition of HIF-1α and VEGF expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Berberine may inhibit the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF and thus confer radiosensitivity on prostatic cancer cells. Berberine has potential application as an adjuvant in radiotherapy of prostatic cancer.
  The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1519827543125021.
authors.forename: Qu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Baixia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jinfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yahui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Zhongming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Defan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guanhong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhaoming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xinchen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Guangzhou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Shengbin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, The Second People's Hospital of LianYungang, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Xingfu Road 161, Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province 222000, China. mjx3416@126.com.
authors.forename: Jianxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D001599:Berberine