Studying of Molecular Mechanism of Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer Cell Line Induced by Arsenic Trioxide

Objective To observe the effects of a wide-range concentration of arsenic trioxide on the growth of colorectal cancer cell lines lovo and LS-174T. Methods Colorectal cancer cells were cultured with 0.125-2 μ mol/L arsenic trioxide for various duration.Cell activity morphologic changes and cell-DNA distribution were studied. Results Colorectal cells cultured with 1～2 μ mol/L As2O3 presented apoptotic features:intact cell membrane,chromatin condenstation,nucleic fragmentation and apoptotic body formation.Flow cytometry analysis showed a sub-G1 cell peak.Agorose eletrophoresis showed marked DNA ladder. Conclusion 1～2 μ mol/L As2O3 can induce apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and this apoptosis has some relation with the expression of Fas and Fas-L.