Nano-realgar effect on A549 lung cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration

Wang Wei-wei; Wang De-guang; Wu Zheng-wei; Zhang Yong; Qian Ke-bao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.34.013

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Studies have found that realgar has anti-tumor effect, but its effect on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of A549 lung cancer cels is rarely reported. <br> OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of nano-realgar on A549 lung cancer cel proliferation, apoptosis and migration. <br> METHODS:Cultured A549 lung cancer cels were seeded onto 6-wel culture plates containing 100 mg/L nano-realgar (experimental group) or normal saline (control group). Cel growth was observed under microscope for 48 hours. Cel proliferation and apoptosis were detected using MTT assay (24, 48, 72 hours of culture) and flow cytometry (24 and 48 hours of culture), respectively. Integrin β1 and cadherin expression was detected using immunohistochemical methodat 24 hours of culture. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Cel growth.In the experimental group,shrunk cels that were round or oval-shaped were scattered, and cel number was reduced. In the control group, adherent cels characterized by big size, abundant cytoplasm and fusiform shape grew vigorously. Moreover, some cels were fused into pieces. (2) Cel proliferation. The absorbance values of cels were significantly lower in the experimental group thanthe control group at different time (P< 0.05), while the cel growth inhibition ratio was higher in the experimental group than the control group (P< 0.05). (3) Cel apoptosis. The end-stage apoptoticrate and total apoptotic rate of cels were both higher in theexperimental group than the control group (P< 0.05). (4) Immunohistochemical detection. The A549 cel surface integrin β1 and cadherin positive densities were significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group (P< 0.05). Taken together, the nano-realgar can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and induce apoptosis in A549 cels.