Effects of cholesterol inhibitor-lovastatin on proliferation & differentiation and morphology of MCF-7 cells

Objective To study the effects of lovastatin (LOV) on proliferation differentiation and morphology of MCF 7 cells. Methods After treated MCF 7 cells with LOV for 1～3d, the proliferation of MCF 7 cells were examined with MTT test and the distributions of cell cycles with FCM assay. Meanwhile the morphological change was observed.Results LOV could change the morphology and ultra structure of MCF 7 cells significantly, inhibit the proliferation of MCF 7 cells, induce differentiation and arrest MCF 7 cells in the G 0/G 1 phase of cell cycle. However, apoptosis in MCF 7 cells treated with LOV was not obvious.Conclusion It suggests that LOV has the capabilities of inducing cellular morphological changes, inhibiting proliferation and arresting MCF 7 cells in G 0/G 1 phase of cell cycle. Meanwhile it induces the differentiation of MCF 7 cells.