Effects of octreotide on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective To study the effects of octreotide on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and provide an experimental basis for clinical application. Methods The proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) was assessed by MTT and growth curve respectively, the contents of AFP in the culture supernatant were determined by eletrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and apoptosis was detected by fluorescent staining, transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry. Results The proliferation of HepG2 was inhibited significantly by octreotide with a dosage dependant manner(range from 0.005 to 80 μg/ml, P 0.05). The contents of AFP in the culture supernatant were decreased markedly as the octreotide concentration increased. Under transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy, some HepG2 cells underwent a typical apoptosis after 48 h incubated with octreotide. There was an apoptosis peak, and the apoptosis index was increased statistically in octreotide group compared with that in the controls ( P 0.05). Conclusions Octreotide could suppress the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce apoptosis. It may be of use in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma as an auxiliary medicine.