[Effects of arsenic trioxide on apoptosis and proliferation of human lung cancer cells under hypoxia].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of different concentrations of arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) on apoptosis and proliferation of human lung cancer cell line A549 in vitro under hypoxia and normoxia.

METHODS

A549 cells were treated with 0, 1, 2, 4 micromol/L As2O3 for 12, 24 and 48 h under hypoxia (5% O(2)) and normoxia (21% O(2)). The proliferative inhibition rate of A549 cells was measured with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, and the apoptotic rate of A549 cells was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double staining.

RESULTS

Under normoxia and hypoxia, 1, 2, 4 micromol/L As(2)O(3) could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells. The results depended on the drug concentration and action time. And the hypoxia couldn't influence the effects of As(2)O(3).

CONCLUSIONS

As(2)O(3) can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells under hypoxia and normoxia.