[Apoptosis and regulation of expressions of apoptosis-related gene Bcl-2 and p53 induced by selenium dioxide in three leukemia cell lines].

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms underlying the effect of selenium dioxide (SeO(2)) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and apoptosis-related gene expressions of Bcl-2 and p53 in 3 leukemia cell lines NB4, K562 and HL-60.
Methods: The three leukemia cell lines were treated with 3, 10 and 30 mmol/L SeO(2) and apoptosis detected by flow cytometry and analysis of p53 and Bcl-2 expressions.
Results: SeO(2) at 10 and 30 mmol/L could inhibit the proliferation of three leukemia cell lines. SeO(2) treatment at 30 mmol/L for 48 h induced an apoptosis rate of 54.0 %, 46.5 %, 49.6 % in NB4, K562, and HL-60 cells respectively, and down-regulated Bcl-2 expression in NB4 and K562 but not in HL-60 cells.
Conclusion: SeO(2) can induce apoptosis in NB4, K562 and HL-60 leukemia cells, involving the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of p53.