Induction of apoptosis in human gastric cancer by sodium butyrate
Litvak, D.A.; Hwang, K.O.; Evers, B.M.; Townsend, C.M.
Anticancer Research 20(2a): 779-784
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 10810354 Document Number: 514027
Background. Novel therapeutic agents are needed in the adjuvant treatment of gastric cancer. The differentiating agent sodium butyrate (NaBT) inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells; its effects on gastric cancers are not known. The purpose of our study was to characterize the effects of NaBT on human gastric cancer. Material and Methods. The human gastric cancer, SIIA, was treated with NaBT (5 mM) for 12-72 h. Cell number, viability and death were measured. Expression levels of the tumor- suppressor protein, p53, the cell-cycle inhibitors, p21Waf1/Cip1 and p27Kip1, and the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax, Bak, and Bik, were determined. Results. NaBT significantly inhibited SIIA gastric cancer cell proliferation in a time-dependent fashion by a process involving the induction of apoptosis. Treatment with NaBT was associated with increased expression levels of p21Waf1/Cip1 p27Kip1, Bax, Bak, and Bik. Conclusions. NaBT triggers growth arrest and apoptosis in the human gastric cancer SIIA potentially through the induction of the cell-cycle inhibitors, p21Waf1/Cip1 and p27Kip1, and the proapoptotic genes, Bax, Bak, and Bik. NaBT may be an effective adjuvant agent in the treatment of gastric cancer.