Effects of NK-104 on apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective: To study the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG 2 induced by pitavastatin (NK-104) and to investigate the change of caspase-3 activity.Methods: HepG 2 cells were treated with NK-104 for 48 hours and observed under a microscope by using Hoechst 33258 staining. The proliferation of the cells was detected with WST-8 method. The apoptosis peaks were examined by flow cytometry. The caspase-3 activity was detected with caspase-3 colorimetric protease assay. Results: The treatment of HepG 2 with 10 μmol/L NK-104 could inhibit the proliferation, and induce HepG 2 apoptosis and up-regulate the caspase-3 activity. Conclusion: NK-104 at 10 μmol/L induces apoptosis of HepG 2 cells. It is dependent on caspase-3 pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.