title: Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in human HepG2 hepatoma cells by decabromodiphenyl ethane.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the toxic effects of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), used as an alternative to decabromodiphenyl ether in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  HepG2 cells were cultured in the presence of DBDPE at various concentrations (3.125-100.0 mg/L) for 24, 48, and 72 h respectively and the toxic effect of DBDPE was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays and nuclear morphological changes, DBDPE inhibited HepG2 viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner within a range of 12.5 mg/L to 100 mg/L and for 48 h and 72 h. Induction of apoptosis was detected at 12.5-100 mg/L at 48 h and 72 h by propidium iodide staining, accompanied with overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a widely used ROS scavenger, significantly reduced DBDPE-induced ROS levels and increased HepG2 cells viability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DBDPE has cytotoxic and anti-proliferation effect and can induce apoptosis in which ROS plays an important role.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Ru Bao
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Zhu Ge
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Hong Lian
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001969:Bromobenzenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001969:Bromobenzenes; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C491509:decabromodiphenyl ethane