Influence of cyclooxygenase-2inhibitor NS-398in proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721

Objective To analyze the influence of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)inhibitor NS-398on cell morphology,cell cycle,proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocelluar carcinoma cells SMMC-7721,and to investigate the mechanism of the effect of NS-398on the growth of tumor cells.Methods The SMMC-7721cells were treated with different doses of NS-398(0,25,50,75,100,and 150μmol·L-1)in various groups for 24,48and 72h,and at the same time normal control group was set up.The changes of cell morphology in various groups were observed,the inhibitory rates of proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by MTT assay,and the changes of cell cycle and apoptotic rates were detected by flow cytometry.Results After treated with 25,50,75,100,and 150μmol·L-1 NS-398,the cell adhesion was decreased,and some of the cells were floating,and the medium was not clear.Compared with normal control group,the ratios of SMMC-7721cells in G0/G1phase were reduced,and the ratios of SMMC-7721cells in G2/M phase were increased in the other groups.No apoptotic peak was observed in normal control group.The apoptotic peak was observed in 50μmol·L-1 NS-398group after treated for 24h,and the level of apoptosis was increased significantly 72hafter treatment.The inhibitory rates of proliferation had a concentration-and time-dependant trend in various groups.Conclusion The COX-2inhibitor NS-398can repress the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721and induce apoptosis;the process is time-and dose-dependant.