Metabolomics study of the effect of arsenic trioxide on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To reveal the mechanism of the effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through metabolomics study. Methods: HCC cell line HepG2 was treated with ATO for 12 h, 24 h and 36 h respectively. The global metabolite profiles were monitored by metabolomics analysis using GC/MS and LC/MS/MS. Results: A total of 307 certified metabolites were detected. Bioinformatics analysis showed that glycosylation and one-carbon metabolism were the main cellular functions that have been affected. Other affected cellular functions/pathways included mitochondrial function fatty acid β-oxidation, TCA cycle, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and glutathione metabolism. Conclusion: ATO treatment affects the main metabolomic pathway of HepG2, and inhibits cell growth and migration, then exacerbates oxidative stress to induce cancer cell apoptosis.