RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibitory effects of tyroservatide and its amino acid mixture on growth of hepatocarcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hepatocarcinoma in nude mice was induced by implantation of cells of human hepatocarcinoma cell line BEL-7402. The inhibition of hepatocarcinoma growth was determined by calculating the tumor volume and measuring the tumor weight. The effects of tyroservatide on tumor cells in nude mice were assessed by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), electron microscopic observation of ultrastructure, and apoptosis of tumor cells using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tyroservatide significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocarcinoma in nude mice, with an inhibiting rate more than 60%. But the mixture of amino acid did not show a significant inhibitory effect on the tumor growth. Tyroservatide also induced apoptosis of tumor cells and decreased the expression of PCNA in tumor cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tyroservatide may significantly inhibit the growth of human hepatocarcinoma in nude mice by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation of tumor cells.</p>