Expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinases in human fetal hepatocytes exposed to sodium arsenite

Objective To understand the expression change of c-Jun terminal kinase(JNK) in human embryo liver cell(L-02)exposed to sodium arsenite. Methods L-02 cells were exposed to sodium arsenite at the doses of 0(control), 50, 100 and 150μmol/L respectively, for 24 hours. MTT method was used to detect cell growth; Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and cell apoptosis rate; Hybrid protein(Western-blot) method was used to detect the protein expression levels of JNK and p-JNK. Results Compared with the control group, in L-02 cell exposed to various concentrations of sodium arsenite, the survival rate and ratio of G0-G1 period were lower, JNK, p-JNK protein expression levels and S phase ratio and apoptosis rate were higher, with a dose-dependent manner; And G2-M phase constituent ratio was lower in 50 μmol/L sodium arsenite group, and in 100, 150 μmol/L sodium arsenite groups it was significantly higher(P0.05). Conclusion Apoptosis of L-02 cells induced by sodium arsenite is associated with the increase of JNK and p-JNK expression.