Effects of all-trans-retinoic on human gastric cancer cells BGC-823.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the inhibitory effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on cell growth, cell cycle and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823 in vitro.


METHODS
Human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells were treated with various concentrations of ATRA and the cell growth was then determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide viability assay. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed using a flow cytometer. The VEGF mRNA and protein expression were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.


RESULTS
ATRA at concentrations of 0.1-10 micromol/L inhibited the growth of BGC-823 cells grown in culture; a time- and dose-dependent inhibitory influence was found. ATRA arrested BGC-823 cells at the G0/G1 phase in a dose-dependent way. Both VEGF mRNA and protein were decreased by ATRA in a dose-dependent way.


CONCLUSIONS
The anti-tumor effects of ATRA on human gastric cancer cells are associated with G0/G1 phase arrest and decreased VEGF expression.
Zhang
Jin Ping
JP
Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, China.
Chen
Xiang Yu
XY
Li
Jian Sheng
JS
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014212:Tretinoin