ABSTRACT
AIM:To observe the effects of exogenous zinc on the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcino -ma ( HCC) cell line BEL-7404.METHODS: BEL-7404 cells were cultured with zinc sulfate at various concentrations . The intracellular concentration of zinc , cell viability , cell cycle , cell apoptosis and migration and invasion abilities were measured by TSQ fluorescent probe , MTT assay, DNA ploid analysis, acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescence stai-ning and Transwell assay , respectively .The mRNA and protein expression levels of albumin in the BEL-7404 cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot , respectively .RESULTS: With the elevated concentration of zinc in cul-ture condition, the concentration of zinc in the BEL-7404 cells was increased (P<0.05).The cell viability and migration and invasion abilities were decreased , while the apoptotic rate was increased (P<0.05).The cells in G0/G1 phase were decreased, while the cells in G2/M phase were increased.Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression of albumin also increased (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The zinc ion inhibits the cell viability as well as migration and invasion abilities , blocks the cells in G 2/M phase , and may reduce cell malignant phenotype .