Observations On The Inhibitory Effects Of Docosahexaenoic Acid On Growth And Proliferation Of HepG2 Cells

Objective To investigate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatic cancer cell line HepG2 cells in vitro.Methods The HepG2 ceils were cultured in vitro with different concentration of DHA(15μg/ml,30μg/ml,45μg/ml,60μg/ml,75μg/ml).The inhibitory effect of DHA on the cell growth was assayed by MTT.Morphous of cell was observed by phase-contrast and fluorescent microscopy.The ultrastructural changes were observed by transmission electron microscope.Flow cytometry was used to test the changes of apoptostic rate.Results The results showed that DHA could inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner(p＜0.01).Plenty of fatty was found after oil red staining.Under transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy,some HepG2 cells underwent a typical apoptosis.Early apoptosis of HepG2 cells was proved by flow cytometry(p＜0.01).Conclusions DHA could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells.Promoting cell apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms.