Abstract: Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of T-2 toxin on proliferation of the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its promotion effect of apoptosis. Methods:The HepG2 cells in the logarithmic phase were selected and divided into control group (without T-2 toxin) and experimental groups (given 0.25, 2.50, 25.00, 250.00 and 2 500.00 μg·L^-1T-2 toxin). After 24 h treatment, the morphology of cells was observed under inverted microscope; the inhibitory rate of proliferation of cells was determined by MTT assay; the cell cycle and apoptotic rate of cells were analyzed by flow cytometry; Hochest 33258 staining was used to observe the apoptotic morphology of cells; the activity of caspase-3 in HepG2 cells was detected. Results:After treated for 24 h, the inverted microscope observation results showed that the number of the cells in experimental groups was decreased significantly and the cells shrank and deformed. The MTT results showed that compared with control group, the inhibitory rates of proliferation of the cells in experimental groups were increased (P<0.01). The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group, the percentage of the cells in SubG₁ phase in experimental group was significantly increased, and the apoptotic rates of the cells in experimental groups were significantly increased. The Hoechest 33258 staining results showed that the chromatin condensation was observed in the cells in experimental groups, and the nuclei were dense and stained. Compared with control group, the activities of intracellular caspase-3 of the cells in experimental groups were significantly increased (P<0.01). Conclusion:T-2 can inhibit the proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, and induce the apoptosis.

Key words: T-2 toxin, liver neoplasms, apoptosis, caspase-3