[Mechanisms of dibutyl phthalate to purge leukemic cells].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the mechanism of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) to purge leukemic cells by inducing apoptosis.


METHODS
The effects of DBP on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of leukemic cells were measured by Fura-2AM method. The effects of DBP on the protein expression of c-myc and bcl-2 genes of leukemic cells were measured by immunohistochemical assay.


RESULTS
DBP elicited an intracellular Ca2+ redistribution and a potent extracellular calcium influx in leukemic cells. It also down-regulated the protein expression of c-myc and bcl-2 genes.


CONCLUSIONS
DBP can purge leukemic cells in vitro by increasing [Ca2+]i in cells to initiate apoptosis and down-regulate bcl-2 and c-myc proto-gene expression to promote the cell apoptosis.
Wan
Wu-Qing
WQ
Department of Paediatrics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Liu
Xiao-Yan
XY
Deng
Bing
B
D016465:Bone Marrow Purging / Q000379:methods*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate; D002118:Calcium