Effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on differentiation and induction of the P21WAF1/CIP1 anti-oncogene in human liver carcinoma cell lines

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on the proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle arrest and induction of the P21WAF1/CIP1 anti-oncogene in human liver carcinoma cell lines Bel-7402 and HepG2. Methods: Bel-7402 and HepG2 human liver carcinoma cells were treated with sodium phenylbutyrate at different concentrations. Light microscopy was used to observe morphological changes in the carcinoma cells. Effects on the cell cycle were detected by using flow cytometry. P21WAF1/CIP1 expression was determined by both reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Statistical analysis was performed by using one-way anova and Student's test. Results: Sodium phenylbutyrate treatment caused time- and dose-dependent growth inhibition of Bel-7402 and HepG2 cells. This treatment also caused a decline in the proportion of S-phase cells and an increase in the proportion of G0/G1 cells. Sodium phenylbutyrate increased the expression of P21WAF1/CIP1. Conclusions: Sodium phenylbutyrate inhibits the proliferation of human liver carcinoma cells Bel-7402 and HepG2, induces partial differentiation, and increases the expression of P21WAF1/CIP1. © 2005 Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, ChineseSociety of Gastroenterology and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.