Effect of targeted magnetic nanoparticles containing 5-FU on expression of bcl-2, bax and caspase 3 in nude mice with transplanted human liver cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the anti-tumor effect and mechanisms of magnetic nanoparticles targeting hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
Human hepatocellular carcinoma was induced in nude mice, and the mice were randomly divided into group A receiving normal saline, group B receiving magnetic nanoparticles containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), group C receiving 5-FU, and group D receiving magnetic nanoparticles containing 5-FU with a magnetic field built in tumor tissues. The tumor volume was measured on the day before treatment and 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13 d after treatment. Tumor tissues were isolated for examination of the expression of bcl-2, bax and caspase 3 by immunohistochemical method, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.


RESULTS
The tumor volume was markedly lower in groups C and D than in groups A and B (group C or D vs group A or B, P<0.01). The volume was markedly lower in group D than in group C (P<0.05). The expression of protein and mRNA of bcl-2 was markedly lower in groups C and D than in groups A and B (group C or D vs group A or B, P<0.01), and was markedly lower in group D than in group C (P<0.01). The expression of bax and caspase 3 in groups C and D was significantly increased, compared with that in groups A and B (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The targeted magnetic nanoparticles containing 5-FU can improve the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-FU against hepatocellular carcinoma by decreasing the expression of bcl-2 gene, and increasing the expression of bax and caspase 3 genes.
Wang
Jian-Ming
JM
Department of General Surgery of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China. wjm18jgm@yahoo.com.cn
Xiao
Bao-Lai
BL
Zheng
Jian-Wei
JW
Chen
Hai-Bing
HB
Zou
Sheng-Quan
SQ
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D053758:Nanoparticles; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3; D005472:Fluorouracil