Inhibitory Effects of As_4 S_4 on the Proliferation of Human Gastric Cancer SGC7901 Cells

OBJECTIVE:To study the inhibitory effect of As4 S4 on the proliferation of human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells and its mechanism. METHODS:SGC7901 cells were treated in vitro,and those at logarithmic growth phase were divided into blank control group(untreated)and 20,40,60 and 80 μmol/L As4 S4 treatment group(treated for 24,48 and 72 h). MTT method was used to examine the inhibitory rate of As4 S4 on SGC7901 cells. TEM was used to observe morphologic change of cells,and FCM assay was performed to measure cell cycle. RT-PCR method and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS:Compared with blank control group,the inhibitory rates to cell proliferation were increased significantly in 20(treated for 48,72 h),40,60 and 80 μmol/L As4 S4 treatment group(P0.01),positively associating with concentration and time. The apoptosis of SGC7901 cells appeared in 40 μmol/L As4 S4 treatment group;and a great many of apoptotic cells appeared in 60 μmol/L As4 S4 treatment group and the cell cycle was arrested in S phase. Compared with blank control group, mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 in As4 S4 treatment group decreased as the increase of As4 S4 concentration;the mRNA and protein expression of Bax increased as the increase of As4 S4 concentration. CONCLUSIONS:As4 S4 is effective to inhibit the proliferation of SGC7901 cells,and the mechanism might be relevant to induction of cell apoptosis,down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of Bax expression.