Effects of hyperbaric oxygen combined with vinblastine on the anti-cancer activity against human cervical cancer HeLa cells

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of vinblastine(Vin) enhanced by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) pretreatment on the anti-cancer activity against in vitro human cervical cancer HeLa cells and possible molecular mechanism involved. Methods Upon completion of cell culture, related cells were divided into 4 groups: the control group, the Vin group (30 μmol/L Vin), the HBO group (HBO pretreatment at 0.24 MPa for 3 hours) and the HBO+ Vin group (HBO pretreatment + 30 μmol/L Vin treatment). MTT assay was used to detect the effects of HBO and Vin alone or in combination on the proliferation of human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Fluorescent staining and flow cytometry were performed to detect the apoptosis of human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Western blotting assay was used to detect apoptosis and expression of p38/ERK pathway-related proteins. Results Vin enhanced by HBO preconditioning could increase cell survival rate (42.47%), which was obviously lower than that of the Vin group (68.32%)(P<0.05). The rate of apoptosis for the HBO+ Vin group [(65.84±1.83)%] was noticeably higher than that of the Vin group [(25.12±2.85)%] (P<0.01). As compared with those of the Vin group, the Bcl-2 expression in the HBO+ Vin group obviously decreased, while Bax and caspase-3 expression levels noticeably increased(P<0.01). Compared with those of the Vin group, p-ERK expression level in the HBO+ Vin group obviously decreased, while p-p38 expression level significantly elevated(P<0.01). Conclusion HBO could enhance the inhibitory effect of vinblastine on the proliferation of HeLa cells, the mechanism of which might be realized through the approach of activating the p38 signaling pathway and inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Cervical cancer; HeLa cell; Vinblastine; p38/ERK signal pathway