Study on apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells induced by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721.Methods SMMC-7721 was treated with HAP nanopartricles at various concentrations for different duration to detect cellular toxicity by Methabenzthiazuron (MTT) method, and to observe apoptosis-related alterations in morphology with Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and to detect apoptosis by TUNEL.Results HAP nanoparticles inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 in a dose and time dependent manner, with IC50 values of 179.8μg/ml 48 h after treatment. Under HE staining and TEM, the cells treated with HAP nanoparticles exhibited characteristics of apoptosis.Conclusions HAP nanoparticles not only inhibit the proliferation but also induce apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma, which provide the evidence in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, and might be an effective anti-tumor drug.