Effect of sodium valproate on proliferation and expression of VEGF and bFGF mRNA in human liver cancer cell line Bel-7402

Objective To investigate the inhibiting effect of sodium valproate in human liver cancer Bel-7402 cells and its mechanism.Methods The cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay.Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry(FCM) .In addition,the expression level of VEGF and bFGF were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results Sodium valproate inhibited the proliferation of Bel-7402 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.The apoptotic rate was significantly higher in the cells treated with 1,2 and 4 mmol/L VPA for 72 h than untreated cells [(8.79±0.53) %,(18.65±1.02) %,(36.41±1.93) % vs(2.78±0.32) %].The expression levels of VEGF and bFGF were down-regulated in a dose dependent manner in Bel-7402 treated with VPA for 72 h(P0.05) .Conclusion Sodium valproate can inhibit the proliferation of Bel-7402 cells and the possible mechanism is related to the decrease of VEGF and bFGF expression.