ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of combination treatment with L-carnitine and 5-fluorouracil on the proliferation and cell apoptosis of gastric cancer MGC803 cells. METHODS: MGC803 cells were divided into control group, 5-fluorouracil group and the combination of L-carnitine and 5-fluorouracil group (L-carnitine +/→5-fluorouracil group) in vitro. The inhibitory rate of cells was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle of cells were detected by FLOW. Western blot was used to analyzed the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, adenine nucleotide translocator1 (ANT1) and cleaved-PARP. RESULTS: Compared with 5-fluorouracil group, the inhibition rate of MGC803 cells was increased when cells were treated with the combination of L-carnitine and 5-fluorouracil. The apoptosis rate of cells was raised and the cells were blocked at S phase. In addition, the combination group can decrease the expression of Bcl-2 and increase the expression of Bax, ANT1 and cleaved-PARP. At the same time, the apoptosis rate of cells and the cell cycle were different with the different dosage regimen when treated with the combination. Compared with the L-carnitine + 5-fluorouracil group, the apoptosis rate of cells was increased to (24.17 ± 3.12)% from (19.60 ± 1.06)% (P < 0.05). The G0/G1 phase proportion of cells was decreased to (62.62 ± 1.04)% from (72.95 ± 0.91)%, and the S phase proportion of cells was increased to (37.35 ± 1.03)% from (27.05 ± 0.91)% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Treatment with L-carnitine and 5-fluorouracil could enhance the inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil on MGC803 cells. The possible mechanism of action is achieved by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein family and influencing the cell cycle.