The sensitivity of the gastric and esophageal carcinoma cells to arsenic trioxide is associated with the inherent cellular level of reactive oxygen species / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the association of the inherent cellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the sensitivity of the gastric and esophageal carcinoma cells to arsenic trioxide (As 2O 3). Methods The difference of sensitivity to apoptosis induction by low concentration (2 ?mol/L) of As 2O 3 between the gastric carcinoma cell line SGC7901 and MKN45, and between the esophageal carcinoma cell line EC/CUHK1 and EC1867 was firstly demonstrated. SGC7901 was more sensitive than MKN45, and EC/CUHK1 more sensitive than EC1867 to As 2O 3. Then dihydrogenrhodamine 123 (DHR123), as a ROS capture, was incubated with the cells in the absence of As 2O 3. The fluorescent intensity of rhodamine 123, the product of cellular oxidation of DHR 123, was assayed by flow cytometry. The ROS levels was thus detected. Results Inherent cellular ROS level is higher in SGC7901 and EC/CUHK1. They are more sensitive to As 2O 3, than the corresponding cell line MKN45 and EC1867. Conclusions The difference in inherent cellular ROS level of gastric and esophageal carcinoma cells is associated with the cellular sensitivity to apoptosis induced by As2O 3.