Effects of arsenic trioxide on hepatoma cell line HLE

Objective To observe the effect of various concentration of arsenic trioxide (AT) on hepatoma cell line HLE in variable duration. Methods The cell activity, morphologic changes and apoptosis were studied after being treated with different concentration of AT. Results The effect of AT on hepatoma cell lines was depending on the time and concentration obviously. Hepatoma cells cultured with different concentration of AT presented apoptosis features, such as intact cell membrane, chromatin condesation, nucleic fragmentation and apoptotic body formation; flow cytometry analysis showed that an arrestment at G 2/M phase, an apoptosis peak presented before sub-G 1 cell peak, and a mark DNA ladder of apoptosis appeared. Conclusions AT can obviously inhibit the growth of hepatoma cell through inducing hepatoma cell apoptosis.