Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on tumor cell apoptosis and fatty acid synthase expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2

Objective To observe the proliferation-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing effects of epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)on human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cell line HepG2 and investigate the expressions of apoptosis-associated genes and fatty acid synthase(FASN)in order to explore the possible anti-cancer mechanism of EGCG.Methods HCC cell line HepG2 was cultured invitroand then randomly divided into blank control group, 80μmol/L EGCG-treated group,120μmol/L EGCG-treated group and 160μmol/L EGCG-treated group.After 48 hours of treatment,cell apoptosis was observed by Hoechst33258 staining and detected with flow cytometry. RT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax,two apoptosis-associated genes,and FASN gene. Results HCC cells treated with EGCG exhibited significant cell shrinkage,chromatin condensation,and the formation of apoptotic bodies with Hoechst 33258 staining.Flow cytometry showed that the highest apoptosis rate was 28.6%in 160μmol/L EGCG-treated group.RT-PCR analysis indicated that Bcl-2 and FASN gene expressions were significantly decreased with the increase of EGCG concentration.Conclusion EGCG can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of HCC cells.This effect may be related to inhibiting the expressions of endogenous FASN and cell apoptosis-associated gene Bcl-2.