Effect of arsenic trioxide on apoptosis and cell cycle of NB4 cell

  Objective   To investigate the changes of apoptosis and cell cycle inducecd by arsenic trioxide(As₂O₃)inleukemia cell line NB4 cell in vitro.

  Methods   NB4 cells were treated with As₂O₃ in different co ncentrations fo 12, 24 and 36h.The cytotoxity of NB4 cell were detectexd by(MTT)assay.The apoptotic cell was determined by Annexin VFITC-PI double staining method and measured by flow cytometry(FCM).Cell cycle was examined by PI fluoresence.

  Results   1~8 Lmol/L As₂O₃ could induce NB4 cell in a time-and-dose dependent manner in vitro.2~8 Lmol/L As₂O₃ could induce NB4 cell obvious apoptosis.The apoptosis rate of NB4 cells treated by As₂O₃ for 12 and 24 h sho wed a line relationship with the concention of As₂O₃, and for 36 and 48 h the NB4 cell mainly showed later apopotsis.Flow cytometry analysis showed that the number of G2/M phase cells increased gradually with raised concentrations treatment of As₂O₃.

  Conclusion   As₂O₃ may inhibit the proliferation of NB4 cell.The mechanism is probably through blocking the cell cycle of G2/M phase and induced NB4 apoptosis in a time-and-dose dependent manner.