Palmitic acid induces apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line, HepG2 cells

• Published in: Zhōngguó yīxué kēxuéyuàn xuébào Vol. 26; no. 6; p. 671
• Main Authors: Zhang, Li, Ji, Jun, Zhu, Xiao-Yu, Wu, Yuan-Yuan, Yu, Huan, Zhang, Bin, Li, Xue-Ling, Sun, Xi-Zhuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.12.2004
• Subjects: Apoptosis - drug effects; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - pathology; Cell Cycle - drug effects; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - metabolism; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Palmitic Acid - pharmacology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1000-503X

To investigate the effects of palmitic acid (PA) on human hepatocytes and its mechanism. We administered a mimic hyperlipidemia condition of 0.2-0.4 mmol/L PA to human hepatoma cell line, HepG2 cells. Cell viability was determined by Trypan blue staining. Cell cycle and early apoptosis were determined by propidium iodide and/or Annexin V staining, and the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed by flow cytometry. An inhibition of cell growth was observed at a dose- and time-dependent manner in HepG2 cells after the treatment of PA. An apoptosis with appearance of sub-G1 fraction determined by cell cycle analysis significantly increased after the treatment of PA for 4 days. Bcl-2 level slightly decreased; in contrast, Bax level elevated markedly, which resulted in a significant decrease of Bcl-2/Bax ratio. PA may induce cell death on hepatocytes via mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by reducing the level of Bcl-2/Bax.