ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the protective effects of proanthocyanidin on radiation-induced injury of AHH-1 and HIEC cells, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism. Methods: CCK-8 assay was applied to examine the survival of AHH-1, HIEC cells after γ-ray irradiation with or without proanthocyanidin pretreatment. Annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate the apoptosis and cell cycle of AHH-1 and HIEC cells. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was analyzed by Western blotting assay. Results: Pretreatment with proanthocyanidin significantly increased the cell survival rate after radiation(P<0.01). The apoptosis rates of cells in the proanthocyanidin+radiation group were (11.78% at 4 Gy[AHH-1] and 5.32% at 8 Gy[HIEC], respectively) greatly lower than those of the single radiation group (26.38% at 4 Gy[AHH-1] and 12.45% at 8 Gy[HIEC], respectively, P<0.01). Moreover, the inhibition of Bcl-2 protein expression in AHH-1, HIEC cells was attenuated in the proanthocyanidin + radiation group. Conclusion: Proanthocyanidin has satisfactory protective effect on radiation-induced cellular injury; the mechanism may be related to the attenuation of Bcl-2 protein inhibition.