The expression of p53 and bcl-2 mRNA in H_2O_2-induced apoptotic human cultured hepatocytes (L02 cells) and its implication

Objective To evaluate the significance of changes in expression of p53 and bcl-2 mRNA in H_2O_2-induced apoptotic human cultured hepatocytes (L02 cells) and the effect of Rxa (extract from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) on it. Methods L02 cells served as control group (L group). H_2O_2 of 10 umol/L was used to induce L02 cell a poptosis to construct the cell model (LH group). The effects of Rxa (LaH group, 2mmol/L Rxa) on the expression of p53 and bcl-2 mRNA were observed by using i n situ hybrization in combined with imaging analysis process. Results In the LH group, the expression of p53 mRNA wa s raised in accordance with the increase of apoptostic index (AI) within 2h to 6h and then decreased gradually, and the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was very w eak. But in the LaH group, the expression of p53 and bcl-2 mRNA at different ti me points was lower than in the LH group, and bcl-2 mRNA showed a strong expres sion (P0.01).Conclusion Rxa could reduce the H_2O_2-induced injuri es o f L02 cells via regulating cell-cycle, repairing DNA injuries by p53 in conjun ction with the apoptotic property of bcl-2.