The synergistic effect of all-trans retinoic acid and oxaliplatin in inducing apoptosis of human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells

Objective To observe the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and oxaliplatin (L-OHP) on the proliferation of human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells. Methods Human gastric cancer cells BGC-823 were treated with ATRA and/or L-OHP,respectively. The cell proliferative activity was assessed by MTT assay. Cell morphological changes were observed under inverted microscope while apoptosis rate and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Survivin protein were detected by immunocytochemistry. Results The proliferation of the cells treated with ATRA was inhibited obviously and the morphology of the cells changed. The apoptosis rate of BGC-823 cells increased gradually and the effect was enhanced when ATRA was combined with L-OHP. After treatment with ATRA,the expressions of Bcl-2 and Survivin protein in BGC-823 cells were both down-regulated obviously. With the combination of ATRA and L-OHP,the expressions both further decreased. Conclusion ATRA can inhibit the proliferation of human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells,and the inhibitory effect is synergistic when ATRA is combined with L-OHP. The mechanism might be related to the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Survivin protein expressions.