title: [Detection of cell apoptosis by MTT assay].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the feasibility of using MTT assay to detect cell apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  K562 cells were grown in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% calf serum and 4 micromol/L arsenic trioxide. Apoptosis was induced in the cultured cells by As2O3, and the cells were detected with optical microscope, DNA gel electrophoresis and MTT staining respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MTT staining could also accurately detect cell apoptosis, by which the apoptotic cells were easily distinguished from normal cells and dead cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTT staining is simple, convenient and practical for detecting cell apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biology, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. fengchunqiong@263.net
authors.forename: Chun-Qiong
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Wen-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yan-Bing
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Qiu-Ye
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Qing-Hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wen-Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005562:Formazans; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D005562:Formazans; D010087:Oxides; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; C079782:MTT formazan; D004247:DNA; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide