Apoptotic effect of arsenic trioxide on RAJI cells and its mechanism

Objective To investigate the apoptotic effect of arsenic trioxide on leukemic RAJI cells and its mechanism. Methods RAJI cells in culture medium in vitro were given different concentrations of Arsenic trioxide.The inhibitory ratio of the cells were measured by MTT assay, apoptosis was obsevered by flow cytometry(FCM) and Wright staining, and the activity of telomerase was detected using TRAP PCR ELISA before and after apoptosis occurred. Results Arsenic trioxide could decrease the telomerase activity, cause apoptosis and inhibit the growth of RAJI cells significantly. The suppression was both in time and dose dependent form. Conclusion Arsenic trioxide can inhibit the growth of RAJI cells and induce apoptosis. Decreasing the telomerase activity of RAJI cells may be one of the most important mechamisms.