Abstract
Stichopus japonicus acid mucopolysaccharide (SJAMP) is an important biologically active compound that can be extracted from the body wall of the sea cucumber. The present study investigated the anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects of SJAMP in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats. Three doses of SJAMP (17.5 mg/kg, 35 mg/kg, and 70 mg/kg administered 5 days/week via oral gavage) were given to rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. SJAMP treatment significantly inhibited DEN-induced HCC by reducing both the number and mean volume of nodules, decreasing serum a-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in liver, and increasing p21 expression. Furthermore, SJAMP decreased the serum levels of ALT, AST, GGT and TNF-α and increased serum IL-2. SJAMP administration also improved indices of spleen and thymus function and improved both macrophage phagocytosis and NK cell-mediated tumoricidal activity. Moreover, CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte levels recovered significantly and the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio normalized in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, SJAMP effectively inhibited the growth of HCC through the stimulation of immune organs and tissue proliferation, leading to the enhancement of cellular immunity pathways in rats.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
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Biopsy
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Body Weight / drug effects
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / immunology*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
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Cytokines / blood
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Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
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Glucuronidase / administration & dosage
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Glucuronidase / pharmacology*
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Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
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Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
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Immunomodulation / drug effects*
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Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
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Liver / drug effects
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Liver / metabolism
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Liver / pathology
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Liver Neoplasms / immunology*
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Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
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Liver Neoplasms / pathology
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Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology*
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Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
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Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
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Lyases / administration & dosage
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Lyases / pharmacology*
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Macrophages / drug effects
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Macrophages / immunology
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Male
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Phagocytosis / drug effects
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Phagocytosis / immunology
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Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism
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Rats
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Spleen / drug effects
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Spleen / immunology
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Stichopus / chemistry*
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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Thymus Gland / drug effects
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Thymus Gland / immunology
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Tumor Burden / drug effects
Substances
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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Cytokines
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Immunologic Factors
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Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
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mucopolysaccharidase
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Glucuronidase
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Lyases