[Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in lymphoma Raji cells induced by arsenic trioxide].

This study was aimed to investigate the apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in lymphoma Raji cells and its possible mechanisms. The inhibitory effect of different concentration of As2O3 on cell proliferation was tested by MTT assay. Apoptosis was observed with electron microscope and DNA electrophoresis. The distribution of cell cycles and cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that the 1-8 micromol/L As2O3 inhibited Raji cell growth effectively in a dose-and time-dependent manner. As2O3 at 2-8 micromol/L could induce the cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However, As2O3 at 1 micromol/L inhibited Raji cells proliferation only by cell cycle arrest, without any signs of cell apoptosis. In conclusion, substantial proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in Raji cells could be induced by As2O3. Cell cycle arrest happens with apoptosis, when treated with As2O3.