Effects of arsenic trioxide on proliferation of pulmonary fibroblasts induced by transforming growth factor-β_1 in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide(As2O3) on pulmonary fibroblasts induced by transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1).Methods The experiment utilized isolated and cultured pulmonary fibroblasts from healthy SD rats,fibroblasts in logarithmic phase were randomly divided into blank group(normal fibroblasts),model group(added 5 μg/L TGF-β1 in normal fibroblasts)and intervention groups(added 0.5,1,2 μmol/L As2O3 in fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1),all groups were observed on 12 h,24 h,48 h.The morphology and growth of cells in each group were observed by live-cell imaging and analysis platform(Cell-IQ).The inhibition rate of fibroblasts proliferation was detected by MTT assay.Results Various concentrations of As2O3 significantly inhibited the proliferation of the fibroblasts in intervention groups,and showed a dose-dependent and time-dependent tendency.The inhibition rate of intervention groups at 48 h and As2O3 concentration as 2 μmol/L was significantly higher than that of other groups(P0.01).The inhibition rate of various concentrations of As2O3 at 48 h was respectively(14.76±2.16)%,(32.55±2.80)%,(57.41±3.25)%(all P0.01);the inhibition rate of As2O3 concentration 2 μmol/L intervention group for 12 h,24 h,48 h was respectively(30.53±2.38)%,(41.29±2.67)%,(57.41±3.25)%(all P0.01),and the inhibition rate in the three time points showed significant difference compared with As2O3 concentration 0.5 μmol/L and 1 μmol/L intervention groups(all P0.01).Conclusion As2O3 can inhibit the proliferation of fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1,it may play an effect as antifibrosis in lungs.