title: Study on norcantharidin-induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells through mitochondrial pathways.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the mechanism of norcantharidin (NCTD)-induced SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  SMMC-7721 cell growth inhibition was measured by the MTT method. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of cytochrome c, caspase-3, AIF, Bcl-2 and Bax expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NCTD inhibited SMMC-7721 cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The cells treated with NCTD showed the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of caspase-3, cytochrome c, AIF, and Bax were up-regulated after NCTD treatment at different doses. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased after treatment with NCTD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NCTD could induce SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis. The activation of the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the process of NCTD-induced SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Pathogenic Microorganism Department, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
authors.forename: Xian-qian
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shi-he
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Gui-lian
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Xiao-hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C069741:norcantharidin; D045304:Cytochromes c; D053148:Caspase 3