title: Effects of SSd combined with radiation on inhibiting SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell growth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Saikosaponin-d (SSd) combined with radiotherapy on SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines and its mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines are selected in our research. With MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide) method, the effects of SSd and radiation on inhibiting SMMC-7721 cell growth were investigated. We also used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe ultrastructural changes of cells. Colorimetry methods were used to measure content changes of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both SSd and radiation inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells. The combination of SSd and radiotherapy had a time-dependent synergistic effect. Radiation caused ultrastructural damage to cells, and the damage was enhanced in combination with SSd. Radiation decreased the GSH content and increased the MDA content in cells, and this effect was suppressed after the intervention of SSd.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SSd can inhibit the growth of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines in vitro. Additionally, it significantly enhances the effects of radiation on inhibiting the growth of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines, and up-regulates the antioxidant level after the radiotherapy. Thus, SSd could be an ideal radiotherapy sensitizer for the treatment of liver cancer.
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Bao-Feng
authors: BF
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Shuai
authors: S
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Ming Hua
authors: MH
authors: Bai
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Ling-Qin
authors: LQ
authors: Song
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Wei-Li
authors: WL
authors: Min
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Meng
authors: M
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Pengtao
authors: P
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Hong-Bing
authors: HB
authors: Ma
authors: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China (mainland).
authors: Xi-Jing
authors: XJ
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D012503:Saponins; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D009828:Oleanolic Acid; C022616:thiazolyl blue; C025759:saikosaponin D