Roles of Se and NO in apoptosis of hepatoma cells

Mice inoculated with hepatoma cell (H22) suspension subcutaneously at their right axilla were administered orally with kappa-selenocarrageenan (Se) so lution, the inoculated hepatoma's growth was suppressed. Different concentr ations of Se solution added in human hepatoma cell line culture could inhib it proliferation and induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Meanwhile Se solut ion could increase the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the m ice's plasma and the content of NO in the mice's sera and the hepatoma cell culture supernatant as well. Therefore, apoptosis in hepatoma cell induced by Se solution may be associated with the increase in antioxidative activi ty, the suppression free radical's intervention, and the excessive release of NO by stress. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.