[Arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis and expression of p53 and bcl-2 genes in human small cell lung cancer cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) induced apoptosis in a human small cell lung cancer cell line (NeI-H cells) and its possible mechanisms.


METHODS
Apoptotic cells were detected by the TUNEL method. The expression of p53 and bcl-2 was analyzed with immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
NeI-H cells showed the sub-G(1) peak after treatment with As(2)O(3) (0.5 micromol/L, 1.0 micromol/L, and 2.0 micromol/L) for 72 hours. The ratio of apoptotic cells increased with the increasing concentrations of the drug and the time of culture. Immunohistochemical staining of NeI-H cells showed increased expression of p53, but decreased expression of bcl-2 with the increasing concentrations of the drug.


CONCLUSIONS
The anti-carcinogenic effect of As(2)O(3) is due to the induction of cell apoptosis. Up-regulation of the p53 gene and down-regulation of the bcl-2 gene may be an underlining mechanism.
Shi
Yuzhi
Y
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.
Liu
Yinglan
Y
Huo
Jianmin
J
Gao
Guangqiang
G
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D019254:Genes, bcl-2; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide