Inhibitory effects of genistein on proª²liferation in human ovarian carcinoma cell line 3AO and related mechanism

    TIAN Shuang1, XIN Xiaoª²Yan1, HUANG Yanª²Hong1, GAO Xu2, ZHANG Wei1,YUAN Peng1

    1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China, 2Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710038,China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To investigate the effects of genistein on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction in human ovarian carcinoma cell line 3AO and to explore its antiª²cancer mechanism. METHODS: After cultured with different doses of genistein for different time periods, the cells were tested by MTT assay. Study on the ultrastructure of 3AO cells was performed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) after the administration of genistein. Apoptosis was detected by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTPª²biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Apoptosis rate and cell cycle distribution of 3AO cells were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of estrogen receptor ¦Â protein was measured by immunocytochemical technique. RESULTS: After 3AO cells were treated with different concentrations of genistein, doseª² and timeª²dependent growth inhibition was demonstrated. Inhibition percentage in cells exposed to 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L genistein for 72 h were, respectively, 54.24% and 65.99%. Also, genistein could block 3AO cells in the G2/M phase of cell cycle, and a typical subª²diploid apoptosis peak was demonstrated before G1/G2 phase. Moreover the apoptosis was timeª²dependent. The characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis in genisteinª²treated 3AO cells were observed by TEM. TUNEL staining revealed apoptosisª²positive cells. Genistein could upª²regulate the expression of ER¦Â. CONCLUSION: Genistein can doseª² and timeª²dependently inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cell line 3AO the potential pathway of ER¦Â. ......