OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on cisplatin (DDP)- induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell and the underlying mechanisms.
 METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells were divided into a control group, a LMWH group, a DDP group and a LMWH plus DDP group. The effect of the drugs on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells were evaluated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di- phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay, and the apoptosis were detected by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double fluorescence method and flow cytometry method. The expression levels of apoptosis-related protein Fas, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.
 RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells was inhibited in the DDP group and the LMWH plus DDP group (both P<0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of Fas, Bcl-2, Bax in the SMMC-7721 cells were not obviously changed in the LMWH group (all P>0.05). The Fas level was increased obviously (P<0.05), while the Bcl-2 level moderately reduced (P<0.05), Bax were not obviously changed in the DDP group (P>0.05). Compared with the control group and the DDP group, the Bcl-2 level was reduced significantly in the LMWH plus DDP group (both P<0.05), while the level of Bax was increased obviously (both P<0.05). Compared with control group, the Fas level was increased significantly in the LMWH plus DDP group (P<0.05), but the increase was not significant compared with the DDP group (P>0.05).
 CONCLUSION LMWH can enhance the cisplatin-induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells, which might be related to activation of mitochondrial pathway.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism