ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of fentanyl and remifentanil on the viability of human adenocarcinoma cell line A549.Methods Human adenocarcinoma A549 cells cultured in logarithmic growth phase were seeded in 75 ml culture bottles or 96-well plates.After being cultured for 24 h,the cells were randomly divided into 9 groups (n =30 each):4 fentanyl groups (groups F1-4 ),4 remifentanil groups (groups RF1-4 ) and control group (group C).Groups F1-4 were exposed to fentanyl with the final concentrations of 0.5,5.0,50.0 and 500.0 ng/ml respectively.Groups RF1-4 were exposed to remifentanil with the final concentrations of 0.5,5.0,50.0 and 500.0 ng/ml respectively.The viability of the cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay after being incubated for 24,48 and 72 h.The cell cycle progression and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry after being incubated for 24 h.Results Compared with group C,the viability of A549 cells were gradually decreased at 72 h of incubation,the proportion of the cells in S phase was gradually decreased at 24 h of incubation,and the proportion of the cells in G2/M phase and apoptotic rate were gradually increased in groups F2-4 and in groups RF2-4 ( P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Fentanyl and remifentanil with the final concentration ≥5 ng/ml can inhibit the viability of human adenocarcinoma cell line A549 in a dose-independent manner by inducing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase.