Gastric Cancer
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2005; 11(33): 5136-5141
Published online Sep 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i33.5136
In vitro effects of chitosan nanoparticles on proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 cells
Li-Feng Qi, Zi-Rong Xu, Yan Li, Xia Jiang, Xin-Yan Han
Li-Feng Qi, Zi-Rong Xu, Yan Li, Xia Jiang, Xin-Yan Han, Nano-biology Laboratory of Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Li-Feng Qi, Nano-biology Laboratory of Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, Zhejiang Province, China. lifengqi01@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-571-86971075 Fax: +86-571-86994963
Received: December 6, 2004
Revised: January 23, 2005
Accepted: January 26, 2005
Published online: September 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects of chitosan nanoparticles on proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 in vitro and the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS: Chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, and morphology. After treatment with various concentrations of chitosan nanoparticles (25, 50, 75, 100 μg/mL) at various time intervals, cell proliferation, ultrastructural changes, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell cycle phase distribution and apoptotic peaks of MGC803 cells were analyzed by MTT assay, electron microscopy, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometry.

RESULTS: Chitosan nanoparticles exhibited a small particle size as 65 nm and a high surface charge as 52 mV. Chitosan nanoparticles markedly inhibited cell proliferation of MGC803 cells with an IC50 value of 5.3 μg/mL 48 h after treatment. After treatment with chitosan nanoparticles, the typical necrotic cell morphology was observed by electron microscopy, a typical DNA degradation associated with necrosis was determined by DNA agarose electrophoresis. Flow cytometry showed the loss of MMP and occurrence of apoptosis in chitosan nanoparticles-treated cells.

CONCLUSION: Chitosan nanoparticles effectively inhibit the proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 in vitro through multiple mechanisms, and may be a beneficial agent against human carcinoma.

Keywords: Chitosan nanoparticles; Gastric carcinoma; Necrosis; Apoptosis