The apoptosis of HCCs was evaluated by in situ uptake of propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258. Protein expressions were detected by Western

blotting. Caspase-8 activity was measured using colorimetric method. To confirm the galangin-induced apoptotic pathway, inhibition of caspase-8 activity by Z-IETD-FMK, knockdown of Bid expression with siRNA, and overexpression of Bcl-2 in cells were carried out, respectively. The results show that galangin has significantly induced apoptosis in HCC lines. The caspase-8 is activated, and the cleavage of Bid results in the increase in tBid. The galangin-induced apoptosis is attenuated by Z-IETD-FMK, selleckchem Bid siRNA, and Bcl-2 overexpression, respectively. However, Bcl-2 fails to suppress caspase-8 activation and the cleavage of Bid. This study has demonstrated that galangin induces apoptosis in HCCs by activating caspase 8/t-Bid mitochondrial pathway. Although Bcl-2 overexpression attenuates galangin-mediated apoptosis of HCCs, it is not mediated

by the inhibition of FK228 tBid generation and caspase-8 activation.”
“Background: Prolonged QT interval associates with increased risk for sudden cardiac death after acute ischemic stroke. However, pathophysiology of prolonged QT interval after stroke is poorly elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether QT interval dynamics is different in patients with right and left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory stroke. Method: Electrocardiogram (ECG) intervals were compared between baseline (retrieved retrospectively from medical records) and admission (acquired at the acute hospital admission) in 33 patients (65 +/- 9.5 years) with right or left MCA territory ischemic stroke. Head computed tomography (CT), cardiac ultrasound, and cardiac CT scans were undertaken. Results: Stroke Fosbretabulin was located in the right MCA territory in 21 (64%) and in the left MCA territory in 12 (36%) patients. Patients with right and left MCA stroke were similar with respect to time interval between baseline and

admission ECG recordings, positive history of heart disease, and left ventricular dimensions. Increase in heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) from baseline to admission was demonstrated to occur more often in patients with right (16 of 21; 76%) than in patients with left (3 of 12; 25%; P < .01) MCA stroke. Delta QTc between baseline and admission was significantly longer in patients with right (23 +/- 23 milliseconds) than in patients with left (-11 +/- 19 milliseconds; P < .0001) MCA stroke. Percent DQTc between baseline and admission was longer in patients with right (5.5% +/- 5.5%) than in patients with left (22.6% +/- 4.7%; P < .001) MCA stroke. Conclusions: Right MCA ischemic stroke results in prolongation of QT interval. Findings indicate cerebral asymmetry in brain-heart interaction during acute ischemic stroke.