Study on the Apoptosis of Prostatic Carcinoma Cell Line DU-145 Cells Induced by All Trans Retinoic Acid

objective To observe the change of tumor cell's growth by treating prostatic carcinoma cell line DU-145 using all trans retinoic acid(ATRA).Methods DU-145 cells were treated with ATRA(10 -5 mol/L)for 36 hours and 72 hours,and changes of the cell's shape and ultrastructure were observed by optical and electron microscope.The effect of retinoic acid on the cycle of tumor cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results After 36 hours treated with ATRA,prostatic carcinoma cells DU-145 grew slowly.After 36 hours treated with ATRA,the cell's ultrastructure appeared some early apoptotic changes,including cell shrinkage,nuclear condensation.After 72 hours treated with ATRA,some apoptotic cells were detected,and a typical subdiploid peak were observed by flow cytometry.Conclusions Retinoic acid can induce prostatic carcinoma DU-145 cells to apoptosis.The apoptotic process has a time-depending character.