Effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor,celecoxib on the growth of glioma cell line

Objective To evaluate the effect of selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor,celecoxib on cell proliferation in U251 glioma cells,to investigate the apoptosis induced by celecoxib and explore the apoptotic mechanism.Methods U251 glioma cells were treated with celecoxib at different concentrations.The growth inhibition rate of U251 was investigated by MTT assay at 12 h,24 h,36 h and 48 h.By using immunohistochemistry,the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected in U251 cells at different time points.The apoptotic cells were evaluated by flow cytometer after U251 glioma cells were treated with celecoxib at a concentration of 200 μmol/L.Results The growth inhibition rate of U251 was increased in a concentration and time depdendent manner to some extent.The expression of PCNA in U251 glioma cells was decreased significantly after treatment with celecoxib at concentration of 200 μmol/L.The apoptosis rate investigated by flow cytometer was increased in a time dependent manner.Conclusion The growth and proliferation of U251 glioma cells could be inhibited by celecoxib through its cytotoxity in dose and time dependent manner;Celecoxib could induce apoptosis in U251 glioma cells.