Effect of fentanyl on viability of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC-803

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of fentanyl on the viability of human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803. Methods The human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 was purchased from Cell Biology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and cultured in DMEM liquid culture medium. The cells were seeded in 6-well or 96-well plates and divided into 3 groups (n = 60 wells each): group Ⅰ normal control (group C); group Ⅱ and Ⅲ were exposed to fentanyl 0.01 and 1.00 μmol/L respectively (group F1, F2). The viability of the cells was detected by MTT assay after being incubated with fentanyl for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h. The cell cycle progression and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry and the ulrastructure of the cells was examined with transmission electron microscope after being incubated with fentanyl for 24 h. The proliferation of the cells was determined by colony formation assay at 7 day of incubation with fentanyl. Results The viability and proliferation of the cells and the proportion of the cells in S phase were significantly lower, while the proportion of the cella in G2/M phase and the apoptotic rate were higher in group F1 and F2 than in group C but no significant difference was found between group F1 and F2. The nuclear evelope was intact, the nucleolus and chromosomes were clearly visible in group C, while in group F1 and F2 fregmentation of nuclear envelope and nucleolus, chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies were observed in group F2. Conclusion Fentanyl can inhibit the viability of human gastric cancer cells by its pro-apoptosis inducing effect. Key words: Fentanyl; Cell line, tumor; Cell survival