Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of N-(4-hydroxyphengl)  retinamide （4HPR） on apoptosis in Hela cells. Methods Morphologic changes of Hela cells induced by 4HPR were detected by light microscopy, laser focusing, fluorescent and electron microscopy. The morphologic and biochemical features and the percentage of apoptosis in Hela cells were determined by flow cytometry(FCM) and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Results It was found that Hela cells had obvious morphological changes, such as cell pykermis, nuclear membrane twist, nuclear chromomocre assembled to lump and closed to membrane under laser focusing and electron microscopy. Apoptotic bodies could be found under light microscopy and fluorescent microscopy. Typical DNA ladder appeared in 4HPR-treated cells in DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Detected by flow cytometry, the sub-diploid nuclear peak appeared to the left of the G1 peak, and the diploid cell peak was reduced. The apoptotic percentage of Hela cells was positively correlated with the concentration and time of the 4HPR action（P＜0.01）. Conclusion  4HPR could induce cervical cancer cell apoptosis in concentration-and time-dependent manners.

Key words: N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide; Cervix neoplasms; Apoptosis