Effect of Pentamidine on proliferation and apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cell line Hela

Ojbective: To investigate the effects of Pentamidine on proliferation and apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cell line Hela.Methods: After culturing with different dose of Pentamidine for different time,cells were tested by MTT assay.Morphological changes was performed by light microscope.Apoptosis rate、 cell cycle phase distribution and bcl-2 protein expression of Hela cells were measured by flow cytometry（FCM） and indirect immunofluorescence technique of FCM.Results: After Hela cells were treated with different concentrations of Pentamidine,dose and time dependent growth inhibition was demonstrated.Inhibition rate in cells exposed to 10.00μmol/L and 100.00 μmol/L Pentamidine for 72 hours were 89.32% and 97.26% respectively.Also,The characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis in Pentamidine treated Hela cells were observed by interted microscope and light microscope.FCM analysis showed G₀/G₁ stage of expreriment group and apoptosis rate go up,S stage and bcl-2 protein expression rate of Hela cells decreased markedly.Conclusion: Pentamidine can inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cell line Hela,simultaneously lower bcl-2 protein expression.