Study of apoptosis induced by nordihydroguaiaretic acid in human ma-lignant glioma cell line SHG-44

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on apoptosis in human malignant glioma cell line SHG-44. Methods: Cell growth inhibition was measured with MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was observed with light and electron microscopy and TUNEL. Expression of bcl-2 gene was measured with immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and image analyses. Results: NDGA at the concentration of 100 μmol/L inhibited the proliferation of SHG-44 cells and induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. The expression of Bcl-2 protein in SHG-44 cells was decreased in the present of 100 μmol/L NDGA along with the duration of treatment in a negative correlation with the degree of cell apoptosis. The bcl-2 mRNA expressed in SHG-44 cells was reduced after treatment with 100 μmol/L NDGA, apparently consistent with the immunohistochemical results. Conclusion: NDGA can induce apoptosis of human malignant glioma cells probably by down-regulating expression of bcl-2 gene, though the exact mechanism needs further study.