Selenious-beta-lactoglobulin induces the apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells via an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway

摘要

In this study, the cytotoxic activity of selenious--lactoglobulin (Se--Lg) and the anticancer mechanism were investigated in human lung cancer A549 cells in vitro. MTT assay showed that Se--Lg at 200g/mL exhibited a significant suppression effect on A549 cells and the maximum inhibition rate reached 90 after 72h treatment. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that 200g/mL of Se--Lg induced cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase. Cell apoptosis was induced via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (m) in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Se--Lg suppressed the expression of Bcl-2 and improved the level of Bax, leading to the release of cytochrome c and a higher expression of caspase-3 in A549 cells. In summary, Se--Lg could induce apoptosis in A549 cells via an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and it might serve as a potential therapeutic agent for human lung cancer.