Effect of gemcitabine on the proliferation and apoptosis on human glioma SHG 44 cells

Objective To study the effect of gemcitabine the on proliferation and apoptosis in human glioma SHG 44 cells. Methods Cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of gemcitabine and treating time on the SHG-44 cell proliferation; Hochest33258 and Annexin V-fluoresceine isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining were used to detect the effect of gemcitabine on cell apoptosis; at last, after pretreating with Caspase-8/Caspase-9/Caspase-3 inhibitors, the cell inhibit rate induced by gemcitabine was also detect by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Results As the increase of gemcitabine concentration and treating time, the cell inhibit rate enhanced (P=0.003); after treating with gemcitabine for 24 h, the nucleus showed pyknosis and apoptosis body; as shown in flow cytometry result, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 μmol/L gemcitabine respective induced (11.4±3.9)%, (34.6±4.2)%, (74.9±4.6)% cell apoptosis rate; Inhibiting Caspase- 8 and Caspase-3 can significant reduce the inhibition rate of gemcitabine on cells. Conclusion Gemcitabine can inhibit cell proliferation by concentration and time dependence, and induced cell endogenic Caspase- 8/3 mediated apoptosis. Key words: Gemcitabine; Glioma; Apoptosis; Caspase