Effects of arsenic acid on proliferation,apoptosis and Bcl-2 expression of BEL-7402 cells

Objective To investigate the effects of arsenious acid(AA)on proliferation,apoptosis and Bcl-2 expression of HCC cell line BEL-7402.Methods BEL-7402 cells were treated by AA,the proliferation were measured by MTT,the cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,the morphologic changes of cell apoptosis were observed by HE staining,the Bcl-2 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR,the Bcl-2 protein was measured by immunohistochemical method.Results After treatment with AA in concentrations from 1.0 to 8.0 μmol/L,BEL-7402 cells' inhibitive rate increased,the cell apoptosis and arrest the cells at S,G2/M phase in a dose dependent manner.After treatment with 8.0 μmol/L AA for 48 h,BEL-7402 cells showed evident morphologic changes of apoptosis,and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly down-regulated.Conclusions In vitro,AA could inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of human hepatocarcinoma cells in a time and dose dependent manner,to lower Bcl-2 expression might be partly the mechanism.