AIM:To determine the role of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway in colorectal adenocarcinomas through analysis of the expression of Shh pathway-related molecules, Shh, Ptch1, hedgehog-interacting protein (Hip), Gli1, Gli3 and PDGFRα. METHODS:Expression of Shh in 25 colorectal adenocarcinomas was detected by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of Ptch1 was observed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Expression of Hip, Gli1, Gli3 and PDGFRα was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS:Expression of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 was observed in the cytoplasm of colorectal crypts. Members of the Hh signaling pathway were expressed in colorectal epithelium. Shh was expressed in cytoplasm of dysplastic epithelial cells, while expression of Ptch1, Hip and Gli1 were mainly detected in the malignant crypts of adenocarcinomas. In contrast, PDGFRα was expressed highly in aberrant crypts and moderately in the stroma. Expression of Gli3 could not be detected in colorectal adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSION:These data suggest that Shh-Ptch1-Gli1 signaling pathway may play a role in the progression of colorectal tumor.

Cisplatin is widely used for the treatment of a variety of cancers but with a high incidence of hepatotoxicity. Baicalein is originally isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi with broad bioactivities. The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of baicalein against cisplatin-induced acute liver injury and the underlying mechanism of this protective effect. Administration of cisplatin (40 mg/kg) for 24 h increased the serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase levels, while baicalein could reverse all those changes induced by cisplatin. Liver histological analysis further evidenced the protection of baicalein against cisplatin-induced liver injury. Baicalein counteracted the increased liver malondialdehyde (amount induced by cisplatin, while baicalein could further increase the cisplatin-induced elevation of the amount of reduced glutathione in the liver. Further results showed that baicalein reversed the cisplatin-induced decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S transferase and glutathione reductase. On the other hand, baicalein alleviated the increase in the serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 induced by cisplatin. Taken together, our results demonstrate that baicalein can inhibit cisplatininduced hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation, which contributes greatly to the amelioration of cisplatin-induced liver injury.