Effect of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor Nimesulide on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma cell line HepG2

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor,Nimesulide on growth and apoptosis in hepatoma cell line HepG2.MethodsHepG2 cells were treated with various concentrations (100,200,300 μmol/L) of Nimesulide (selective for COX-2 inhibition).Cell growth was measured by MTT,apoptosis was detected by FCM.Caspase-3 activity and levels of PGE2 were measured by radioimmunoassay.Cells growth,apoptosis and levels of PGE2 were compared in Nimesulide-treated and untreated tumor cells.ResultsAfter treated with different concentrations of Nimesulide,the cell growth of HepG2 was suppressed significantly with the A values being 1.69±0.16,1.06±0.09,0.62±0.06 respectively,as compared with control group (3.09±0.28) by t test ( P 0.01).The Caspase-3 activity and apoptosis of HepG2 treated wth nimesulide were increased with the apoptosis rates being 4.53±2.15,6.02±3.50,16.24±7.92 respectively as compared with control group (2.84±1.88) by t test ( P 0.01),with the Caspase-3 A value being 0.46±0.03,0.73±0.06,0.91±0.12 respectively as compared with control group (0.28± 0.02) by t test ( P 0.01).Meanwhile,the release of PGE2 was reduced in HepG2 cells treated with Nimesulide in a dose-dependent manner with the values being 72.34±6.64,51.67±4.37 and 30.28±2.67 respectively,as compared with control group (0.28± 0.02) by t test ( P 0.001).ConclusionNimesulide could inhibit the proliferation and increase apoptosis in human HepG2 cells.