Effect of heparin on telomerase activity and proliferation in gastric carcinoma cells in vitro

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of heparin on proliferation and telomerase activity in gastric carcinoma cells.METHODS:SGC7901 cells was treated with heparin of different concentration (0.5,1.0, 2.0 and 0 mg/mL) in 4 group.Cell proliferation was observed by phase contrast microscope and growth curve.Telomerase activity was measured using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay and enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (TRAP-ELISA).RESULTS:When the heparin concentration was 1.0 mg/mL,the telomerase activity of SGC7901 cells was inhibited significantly,P0.05.The cell growth speed of each group was also inhibited in a certain degree,especially when the concentration was 1.0 mg/mL.But there were no cell death in each group.CONCLUSIONS:Heparin can inhibit telomerase activity and the proliferation of carcinoma cell itself in SGC7901 cells.But heparin can not cause cell death. Chin J Cancer Prev Treat,2005,12(2):107-109