[Palmitic acid induces apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line, HepG2 cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of palmitic acid (PA) on human hepatocytes and its mechanism.


METHODS
We administered a mimic hyperlipidemia condition of 0.2-0.4 mmol/L PA to human hepatoma cell line, HepG2 cells. Cell viability was determined by Trypan blue staining. Cell cycle and early apoptosis were determined by propidium iodide and/or Annexin V staining, and the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
An inhibition of cell growth was observed at a dose- and time-dependent manner in HepG2 cells after the treatment of PA. An apoptosis with appearance of sub-G1 fraction determined by cell cycle analysis significantly increased after the treatment of PA for 4 days. Bcl-2 level slightly decreased; in contrast, Bax level elevated markedly, which resulted in a significant decrease of Bcl-2/Bax ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
PA may induce cell death on hepatocytes via mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by reducing the level of Bcl-2/Bax.
Zhang
Li
L
Department of Central Laboratory, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Dalian University Medical College, Dalian 116033, China. tyouri19652004@yahoo.com.cn
Ji
Jun
J
Zhu
Xiao-Yu
XY
Wu
Yuan-Yuan
YY
Yu
Huan
H
Zhang
Bin
B
Li
Xue-Ling
XL
Sun
Xi-Zhuo
XZ
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D019308:Palmitic Acid