Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) reuptake specific inhibitor fluoxetine on apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). Methods HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of fluoxetine (5 μM, 7.5 μM, 10 μM, 12.5 μM, 15 μM) for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Apoptosis was detected using Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry and proteolytic enzyme 3 immunofluorescence assay. Results The 24 h apoptosis rates of HepG2 treated with 10 μM and 12.5 μM fluoxetine were 14.41%±5.40% and 19.43%±5.91%, which were significantly higher than that with control treatment (4.05%±1.90%, both P<0.05 )，respectively. The apoptosis rate was 20. 32%±6. 23% after 48 h treatment with 5 μM fluoxetine, which was significantly higher than that with control treatment (12. 40%±4.18%，P<0. 05). Treatment with 10 μM or 12. 5 μM fluoxetine for 24 h significantly increased activated caspase 3 positive cells. ConclusionFluoxetine could promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which provides a clue for the clinical application of fluoxetine in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Key words: HepG2 cells, Fluoxetine, Apoptosis, Hepatocellular carcinoma