Millimeter wave radiation induces apoptosis via affecting the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of millimeter wave radiation has been proven for various types of malignant tumors. However, the mechanisms underlying effects of millimeter wave radiation on apoptosis are still unclear. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of millimeter wave radiation on cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential, and to determine the molecular mechanism of millimeter wave radiation-induced apoptosis by investigating the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bax), caspase-9 and caspase-3 in SW1353 cells. We found that millimeter wave radiation suppressed the viability of SW1353 cells, demonstrating that millimeter wave radiation induced cell apoptosis and reduced cell viability in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, we observed that treatment of cells with millimeter wave radiation significantly induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated proapoptotic Bax, caspase-9 and caspase-3, but did not significantly change levels of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. These data suggested that millimeter wave radiation may induce apoptosis via affecting the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in SW1353 cells.