Effect of simvastatin and valproic acid on apoptosis and proliferation of K562 cells

Objective To investigate the effect of simvastatin and valproic acid(VPA) on the apoptosis and proliferation of K562 cells and its mechanism.Methods There were three groups in the experiment,srmvastatin,VPA simvastatin+VAP;with equalvolyme RPMI-1640 medium for the blank control group.The morphologic changes of K562 cells induced by simvastatin and VPA were observed under light microscopy with Wright-Giemsa staining.The cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay.The cell apoptosis ratio was detected by flow cytometry with labeling of AnnexinⅤ-FITC/PI.Results As compared with control group,after treatment with simvastatin 10,20,40 μmol/L,the apoptotic ratio at 48 h increased by(17.36±1.91)%,(23.26±2.35)%,(34.15±2.54)%;the apoptotic ratio at 72 hours increased by(31.43±2.15)%,(49.42±1.05)%,(56.57±3.06)%.After treatment with VPA 1,2,4 mmol/L,the apoptotic ratio at 48 hours increased by(14.30±1.39)%,(22.90±2.35)%,(39.79±2.65)%;the apoptotic ratio at 72 hours increased by(22.79±2.31)%,(34.67±2.78)%,(49.51±2.37)%.The apoptotic ratio was in time and dose-dependent manner.Conclusion Simvastatin and VPA may exert growth inhibition and apoptosis induction on K562 cells.There are increasing effects while treating with combination of simvastatin and VPA.