Abstract:

 Objective To investigate the effects of sodium phenylbutyrate (SPB) on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction of the brain glioma cells. Methods The C6 glioma cells were first induced by 1, 2, 4mmol/L SPB, then the morphological changes of the C6 cells were observed by a light microscope; the ultra-structure of the cells were observed by an electron microscope; cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay; cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry; cell colony formation rate was measured by the soft agar clone forming test; and  expression of GFAP was determined by immunohistochemistry staining. Results  The morphology and ultrastructure of the C6 cells were differentiated towards normal cells; cell proliferation was inhibited by MTT assay;  cells that stayed at the G0/G1 phage were increased (P＜0.01), while those that stayed at the S phage were decreased (P＜0.01), and cell apoptosis peaked in the 4mmol/L SPB group as shown by flow cytometry;  cell cloning efficiency was degraded (P＜0.01) by the soft agar clone forming test; and expression of GFAP was increased. Conclusions  SPB can apparently inhibit the proliferation of C6 cells and can induce cell differentiation and even apoptosis of C6 cells.

Key words: Sodium phenylbutyrate; Brain neoplasms; Cell differentiation;  Apoptosis