ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, lovastatin (LOV), on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell MCF 7 and the role of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i) in this event. Methods After treated with LOV at the dosages of 4, 8 and 16 ?mol/L for 1-3 d respectively, the proliferation of MCF 7 cells was examined with MTT, and the distributions of cell cycles with FCM assay. Meanwhile, the change of [Ca 2+ ]i of MCF 7 cells was observed with laser scanning confocal microscopy, and the expression of plasma membrane calcium ATPase isoform 1 (PMCA1) mRNA with RT PCR. Results Lovastatin, inhibited the proliferation of MCF 7 cells and arrested MCF 7 cells in the G 0/G 1 phase of cell cycle, in a dose and time dependent manner. However, apoptosis of LOV treated MCF 7 cells was not obvious. Simultaneously, LOV increased [Ca 2+ ]i of MCF 7 cells, but didn't change the expression of PMCA1 mRNA. Conclusion The results suggest that LOV has the capabilities of inhibiting the proliferation of MCF 7 cells and arresting them in G 0/G 1 phase. These effects of LOV maybe correlate with LOV changing the function of PMCA1and increasing [Ca 2+ ]i of MCF 7 cells.