The Effect of Fentanyl on Proliferation and Cell Cycle of Human Breast Carcinoma Cell Line MCF-7

Objective To study the effects and its mechanism of fentanyl(Fen) on the proliferation and cell cycle of human breast carcinoma line MCF-7. Methods MCF-7 cells were cultured in the medium with Fen, naloxone(Nx) or both the medicines at different concentration for different time. MTT method was employed to evaluate the level of the cell proliferation. The distribution of the cell cycle was detected with the flow cytometry (FCM). The expression levels of p53 and p21/WAF1 in the cells were determined by SP immunocytochemical staining method. Results Fen at≥0.1μmol/L concentration inhibited MCF-7 cells proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners, and its IC 50 for 72h was 0.81±0.02 μmol/L. However, the antiprolifeative effect of Fen was not antagonized by Nx. Fen significantly enhanced the ratio of G 0/G 1 phase MCF-7 cells, and decreased the proliferation index of MCF-7 cells in dose-dependent manner. Fen also upregulated the expression of p53 and p21/WAF1 in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion The data suggested that the inhibitory effect of Fen on MCF-7 cell growth might be mediated by blocking cell cycle progression from G 1 to S phase, and upregulating the expression of p53 and p21/WAF1.