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Research on the Induction of Apoptosis in MCF7 Cells Enhanced by Thapsigargin

ObjectiveTo study the apoptotic induction effect of Thapsigargin on estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer cell lines MCF7. MethodsCells were treated with Thapsigargin and 5FU in vitro. The rate of cell apoptosis and distribution of cell cycle were detected on flow cytometry. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay and ultrastructural changes in apoptotic cells were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.ResultsThapsigargin could increase the rates both of cell apoptosis and growth supression of MCF7 cells induced by 5FU and alter the distribution of cell cycle. Under electron microscope, apoptotic bodies in MCF7 cells considerably increased.ConclusionThapsigargin apparently enhances the effect of apoptotic induction of 5FU on MCF7 cells, it is worthy of being further studied.