[Apoptosis effects of drug sensitivity leukemia cells induced by nano-realgar].
OBJECTIVE
To explore apoptosis-inducing effects of realgar nanoparticle (nano-realgar) on drug-sensitive leukemia cells.


METHODS
Preparation of nano-realgar was mechanical milled using a high-energy planetary ball mill. Using drug-sensitive leukemia cells (K562) as target cells, MTT assay was used to detect the proliferating activity of K562 cells, and the cellular apoptosis was investigated with double staining of FITC-Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry (FCM) was employed to detect expression of intracellular Bax, Bcl-2, P-53 protein and the activity of Caspase-3.


RESULTS
The raw realgar was made to ultra-fine powder by ball milling, and the average diameter of the nanoparticle was (72.72 +/- 22.18) nm measured with electron microscopes. Nano-realgar significantly inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells, Treated for 24, 48 and 72 hours, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 43.48, 20.52, 16.07 mg x L(-1). After exposure to 20 mg x L(-1) and 50 mg x L(-1) nano-realgar for 48 hours, the apoptosis of K562 cells detected by Annexin V/PI staining was increased, the apoptotic rate of K562 cells was 10. 52% and 73.25%. After the target cells were treated with 20 mg x L(-1) and 50 mg x L(-1) nano-realgar for 48 h, the expression of P-53, Bax, Bcl-2 markedly increased in a time and dose-dependent manner. After administration of 20 mg x L(-1) and 50 mg x L(-1) nano-realgar for 48 h, the percentage of BCRP+, P-gp+ and co-expressing P-gp and BCRP cell population in K562 cells incrased dramatically.


CONCLUSIONS
Nano-Realgar significantly induced apoptosis of drug-sensitive leukemia cells.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute of Gansu Province, Central Laboratory, Lanzhou 730050, China.
Yong-Sheng
YS
Wang
Si-Tong
ST
Zhou
Hu-Lai
HL
Wei
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D036103:Nanotechnology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D013440:Sulfides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis
D001152:Arsenicals; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D013440:Sulfides; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C058317:arsenic disulfide