Effect of arsenic trioxide to human hepatoma cell line BEL-7402 cultured in vitro

Objective To study the effect of a wide range concentration of arsenic trioxide on human hepatoma cell line BEL 7402 and its mechanism using the method of human hepatoma cell line BEL 7402 cultured in vitro .Methods The BEL 7402 cells were treated with arsenic trioxide(final concentration 0.5,1,2μmol/L,respectively) on variable duration or 4 successive days.The cell growth and proliferation were observed by cell counting and cell growth curve.Morphologic changes were studied with electron microscopy.Flow cytometry was used to assay cell DNA distribution.Results The cell growth was significantly inhibited by the different concentration of arsenic trioxide as revealed by cell counting and cell growth curve.Arsenic trioxide treatment at 0.5 ,1,2μmol/L resulted in a sub G 1 cell peak.The decrease of G 0/G 1 phase cell and the increased percentage of S phase cell were observed by flow cytometer,which suggested that the inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on BEL 7402 cell laid in G 0/G 1 phase cell.Apoptotisrelated morphology,such as intace cell membrane,nucleic condensation,apoptotic body formation,could be seen under the electron microscopy more significant.Conclusion The arsenic trioxide not only inhibites proliferation but also induces apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line BEL 7402.