Objective:To explore the inhibitory effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
Methods :The proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells(HepG2) was assessed by MTT, immunohistochemical method of PCNA and growth curve respectively. Apoptosis was detected by fluorescent staining, transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry.
Results:The proliferation of HepG2 was inhibited significantly by ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with a dosage-dependent(range from 15 to 75 μg/mL, P＜0.05) and time-dependent manner. Under transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy, some HepG2 cells underwent typical apoptosis after 48 h incubated with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Compared with the controls, the apoptosis index was significantly increased after 48 h incubated with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (P＜0.05).
Conclusions:ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid could suppress the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce apoptosis.