title: [Effects of zearalenone on the proliferation of SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate effects of zearalenone (ZEA) on the proliferation of SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells in vitro and its possible mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  SK-N-SH cells were cultured in estrogen-free improved minimum essential medium and divided into 5 groups based on different treatments: group 1, without treatment; group 2, treated with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)); group 3, treated with ZEA; group 4, treated with both E(2) and ICI 182780; group 5, treated with both ZEA and ICI 182780. Absorbance value (AV) was determined at the time point of 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours, and DNA proliferation index (PI) at 72 hours. Flow cytometer, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) were employed to monitor cell apoptosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 24, 48 and 72 hours, the AV of group 3 were 1.39, 1.32, and 1.22 times to those of group 1, respectively. PI in group 3 was 1.43 times of that in group 1 at 72 hours. The results of group 2 were similar to those in group 3. At the same time, the growth of cells was inhibited by ICI 182780 despite the presence of E(2) and ZEA. Apoptosis cells were abundant in group 1 and ICI 182780 groups, but little in E(2) and ZEA groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ZEA might promote the proliferation of SK-N-SH cells to a level similar to that of E(2), which might probably be brought about via estrogen receptor pathways and depressing apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Ji-cui
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Xian-min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Kui-ran
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D015025:Zearalenone