Study on apoptosis of human liver cancer cell(BEL-7402)induced by arsenic trioxide in vitro

  Objective   To explore the effect of arsenic trioxied(As₂O₃)in inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis of liver cancer cell BEL 7402.

  Methods   The cytotoxicity of arsenic trioxide on BEL 7402 was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.Morphologic changes were studied by AO/EB fluoroscopy, apoptosis and cell cycle changes of BEL 7402 induced by arsenic trioxide was investigated by single cell gel electrophoresis and flowcy to metry.

  Results   Arsenic trioxde could inhibit significantly the growth of BEL-7402, morphological feature of apoptosis happen in experimental groups(10μg/ml and 20μg/ml); sub apop peak coccurred in flow cytometry of the groups(10μg/ml and 20μg/ml arsenic trioxide).Comet phenomenon showed in single cell gel electro phoresis, and it could cause the cell cycle to change, the cells were stayed in Sphase mainly.

  Conclusion   Arsenic trioxide can restrain the proliferation of BEL 7402 cell strongly; its mechanism is to induce apoptosis of the cell mostly.