title: [Effect of valproate acid sodium on apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells and its mechanism study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of valproate acid sodium(VPA) on apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell BGC-823 and to explore its possible mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell growth inhibition was examined by MTT assay. Apoptosis rate was detected by FCM with Annexin V/PI staining. The activities and protein expression levels of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 were examined by spectrophotometry and indirect immunofluorescence technique respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The growth inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of human gastric cancer cells, treated with 0.75-4.00 mmol/L VPA for 24 h and 48 h, elevated in time- and dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis rates of VPA 0.75 mmol/L 24 h and 48 h were (7.2 +/- 0.5)% and (9.2 +/- 1.0)%, of VPA 4.00 mmol/L 24 h and 48 h were (16.7 +/- 2.2)% and (20.4 +/- 1.6)% respectively, which were significantly different as compared to the control [24 h, (4.9 +/- 0.2)%, 48 h, (5.1 +/- 0.8)%] (P< 0.001). The activities and protein expression levels of caspase 3 and caspase 9 were up-regulated compared with the control group (P< 0.001), meanwhile the activity and protein expression of caspase 8 enhanced slightly after VPA treatment for 48 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VPA can inhibit the growth and induce the apoptosis of BGC-823 cells mainly through the activation of caspase 9 pathway.
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan 250014, China. chwshi@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Chang-wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Li-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Jing-jie
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ai-wu
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid; D020169:Caspases