Induction of apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma and fibrosarcoma cell lines by a novel nutrient mixture

Abstract

Sarcomas of soft tissues account for more than 10% of diagnosed cancer in adults. Once the sarcomas have metastasized, current treatment methods are generally ineffective. We have identified a nutrient mixture (NM) containing lysine, proline, ascorbic acid and green tea extract that demonstrates a broad spectrum of antitumor activity. We investigated whether the antitumor effect of a NM on sarcoma cell lines was due to apoptosis.Chondrosarcoma (SW‐1353), synovial sarcoma (SW‐982), liposarcoma (SW‐872) and fibrosarcoma (HT‐1080) cell lines (ATCC) were cultured in the recommended media and treated with NM in different doses: 0, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, morphology by H&E staining, and apoptosis by Live Green Caspase Detection Kit.The sarcoma cell lines studied showed no toxicity at 100 μg/ml NM, moderate at 500 μg/ml and significant at 1000 μg/ml. When treated with NM at 500 and 1000 μg/ml, obvious apoptotic cells were observed by H&E. The apoptotic cells showed shrinkage with condensed and darkly stained nuclei and strongly acidophilic cytoplasm. Slight apoptosis was observed at 100 μg, moderate at 500 μg/ml and significant at 1000 μg/ml NM for all sarcoma cell lines.The results suggest that NM induces apoptosis in sarcoma cell lines and raises the possibility of its use as a new therapeutic agent.