Effect of vitamin K3 on inducing apoptosis in cell line SMMC-7721 of human liver cancer and expression of survivin gene

Objective To observe the effects of vitamin K3(VK3) on cell growth and apoptosis in the cell line SMMC-7721 of human liver cancer and the changes in expression of survivin gene.Methods The inhibitory effect of VK3 on SMMC-7721 cells was examined by CCK-8 (cell counting kit).Morphological evaluation of apoptosis was performed by Hoechst33342 staining.The amount of apoptotic cell was assayed by flowcytometry.The changes of survivin gene expression were detected by RT-PCR.Results The inhibitory rate of VK3 (at concentrations of 2,5,10,20,25 mmol/L for 48 h) on SMMC-7721 growth was 3.8%,50.1%,63.9%,78.5%,84.7% respectively.The cells in apoptosis were strongly stained by Hoechst33342 compared with the cells in control group.The apoptostic rate of cells was 33.28%,63.97%,77.69%,87.30% and 92.40%.Following exposure to VK3 at the concentration of 2,5,10,20 and 25 mmol/L for 48h,the survivin mRNA expression in SMMC-7721 was downregulated.Conclusion VK3 inhibits the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells and induce apoptosis.The mechanism may related to survivn gene.