In Vitro Study On Arsenic Trioxide-inducing Apoptosis In Laryngeal Carcinoma Hep-2 Cells

Objective: To observe the apoptosis and the cell cycle in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma strain Hep-2 exposed to arsenic trioxide (As2O3). Methods:Using flow cytometry ,light microscopy and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis technique, we investigated in vitro Hep-2 cells in different conditions.Results: Hep-2 was adherent cells in normal survival condition. As2O3 affected Hep2 cell growth apparently. Under fluorescence microscope,necrotic cells were red, normal cells were evenly blue ,and apoptotic cells were blue with condensed and fragmented nuclei.The latter and the increased volume of cells appeared to be time and dose dependent. DNA"ladder" and obviousSub-G1 phase peak occurred in flow cytometry were observed for Hep-2 cell exposed to 2μmol/L As2O3 48h and 72h .The most prominent effect As2O3 of on cell cycle kinetics was a slowdown in S-phase transit during which cells undergone apoptosis.S-phase cell percentage increased after exposed to for 24h .With time elapsing,S-phase cell reduced.Conclusion: As2O3 can induce apoptosis of Hep-2 cell,which can be related to the cell cycle arrest.