Effect of DMSO on Apoptosis of MCF-7 Cells

Objective To investigate the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)on the apoptosis of MCF-7cells. Methods We added different concentrations of DMSO into the medium in which the MCF-7 cells were cultured in vitro. The morphologic changes of cells were detected by inverted phase contrast microscope.The survival rate of cells was examined by methyl-tetrazolium(MTT)assay.The apoptotic proportion was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy,DNA ladder was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.Results The morphocytology of MCF-7 cells changed in 1% DMSO for 12h,with 50% cells rounding and muhivesicular bodies formed.The cell survival rates decreased as the increase of DMSO concentration and culturing time.The IC_(50)value of DMSO for MCF-7 cells was 1%,with typical nuclear condensation and fragmentation under fluorescent light microscope,andDNA ladderappeared on a 1.5% agarose gel.Conclusion The breast cancer cell proliferation was inhibited and apoptosis was induced by proper concentrations of DMSO.