title: [Sorafenib reverses multidrug resistance of hepatoma cells in vitro].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the role of sorafenib in reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) in hepatoma BEL-7402/FU cells and its possible mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  MTT colorimetric assay was used to obtain the dose-response curve of sorafenib in BEL-7402/FU cells, and flow cytometry performed to assess the effect of sorafenib on Rho123 concentration in the cells. The optimal dose of sorafenib for cell treatment was determined according to the results of MTT assay and flow cytometry. MTT assay was employed to evaluate the effect of sorfenib on the cytotoxicity of the antitumor drugs, flow cytometry performed to determine the expression of cell membrane transport protein (P-gp), and RT-PCR used to detect mdr1 gene expression in the cells treated with sorafenib at the optimal dose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sorafenib at the concentration of 4 micromol/L, efficiently reversed the MDR of the cells with minimal side effects. At the concentration of 4 micromol/L, sorafenib partially reversed the drug resistance of BEL-7402/FU cells to ADM, 5-FU, GEM and DDP, with reversal indexes of 2.98, 7.16, 1.99 and 10.08, respectively. Treatment of the cells with 4 micromol/L, sorafenib also partially down-regulated P-gp expression in BEL-7402/FU cells, and caused a reduction of mdr1 gene expression by 27.3% in comparison with the control cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sorafenib can reverse MDR in human hepatoma cells probably in association with down-regulation of mdr1 gene expression and increased accumulation of the chemotherapeutic agents in the cells.
authors.affiliation: Center of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. bensonlily@163.com
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Da-yong
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Yan-zhi
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Ai-min
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cheng-wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Rong-cheng
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000187:drug effects*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077157:Sorafenib
chemical_list: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D011725:Pyridines; D009536:Niacinamide; D000077157:Sorafenib