Apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells induced by selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib and its relationship with mitochondrial pathway / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on inducing the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells, and to elucidate the concerning mechanisms. Methods Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry (FCM) was employed to assay apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular free Ca 2+. Results After being exposed to celecoxib (25, 50, 100 and 200?mol/L) for 4, 8, 12 and 24h, the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells was strongly inhibited in a dose-time dependent manner. The apoptosis induced by celecoxib was accompanied with the attenuation of mitochondrial membrane potential and the elevation of intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration, suggesting the importance of mitochondria in the apoptotic pathway. Conclusion The mitochondrial pathway may be involved in the apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells induced by celecoxib.