Apoptosis inducing effects of arsenic trioxide on human bladder cancer cell line BIU-87.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the apoptosis inducing effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on human bladder cancer cells and elucidate possible mechanisms.


METHODS
After treatment with As2O3, the growth inhibition rates of human bladder cancer cell line BIU-87 were studied by MTT and cell counts methods. DNA synthesis rates were detected by 3H-TdR assay. The morphological changes of cancer cells were observed by light and electronic microscopy and cell apoptosis rates were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). bcl-2 gene expression of BIU-87 cells was observed by strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
As2O3 could effectively inhibit the growth of BIU-87 (P < 0.05), which were time and concentration dependent. The inhibition rate of 4.0 mumol/L As2O3 for DNA synthesis of cancer cells was 55.64% (P < 0.01). Partial cancer cells presented the characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis which depended on the time of exposure to drug (P < 0.05). bcl-2 expression of BIU-87 cells was decreased significantly (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
As2O3 can significantly induce apoptosis in bladder cancer cells by down-regulating the expression of the bcl-2 gene and inhibiting DNA synthesis. This provides a potentially effective method for prevention and cure of human bladder cancer.
Tong
Q
Q
Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong Science and Technology University, Wuhan 430022, China.
Zeng
F
F
Zheng
L
L
Zhao
J
J
Lu
G
G
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D004247:DNA; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide