Effect of propofol on proliferation of human liver cancer cell line HepG2

Objective To evaluate the effect of propofol on proliferation of human liver cancer cell line HepG2.Methods HepG2 cells were seeded in 96-well plates (100μl/hole) with a density of 1 × 105/ml and randomly divided into 5 groups (n =33 each)∶ control group (group C),group intralipid (group Ⅰ),and propofol 30,60 and 120μg/ml groups (groups P1-3).In groups P1-3,propofol 30,60 and 120 μg/ml were added to the culture medium and then the cells were cultured for 72 h.In group Ⅰ,10％ intralipid was added to the culture medium and then the cells were cultured for 72 h.The morphology of cells was observed with the light microscope after 24 h of incubation with propofol.The proliferation of the cells was determined at 0,24,48 and 72 h of incubation with propofol.The expression of Fas was determined at 48 h of incubation with propofol.Results The number of the cells was gradually smaller in groups P1-3.The proliferation of the cells was significantly higher in group Ⅰ,while lower in groups P1-3 than in group C (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression of Fas between group Ⅰ and group C (P ＞ 0.05).The expression of Fas was significantly higher in groups P1-3 than in group C (P ＜ 0.05).The proliferation of the cells was significantly lower,and the expression of Fas was significantly higher in group P3 than in group P1 or group P2 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Propofol can inhibit the proliferation of human liver cancer cell line HepG2 in a concentration-dependent manner and up-regulation of the expression of Fas is involved in the mechanism. Key words: Propofol;  Cell line, tumor;  Cell proliferation