Effects of Low Dose Radiation on Tumor Apoptosis, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis-Related Protein Bcl-2 in Tumor-Bearing Mice

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of low dose radiation (LDR) on tumor apoptosis, cell cycle progression and changes of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 in tumor-bearing mice. Methods: Male mice of Kunming strain were implanted subcutaneously with S180 sarcoma cells in the left inguen as an in situ experimental animal model. Seven days later, the mice were subjected to 75 mGy whole-body γ-irradiation. At 24 and 48 h after the irradiation, all mice were sacrificed. The tumor sizes were measured, and tumor cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 and the apoptotic rate of tumor cells were observed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Results: Tumors grew significantly slower after LDR (P<0.05). The tumor cells were arrested in G1 phrase and the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased at 24 h. Apoptotic rate of tumor cells was increased significantly at 48 h after LDR (P<0.01). Conclusion: LDR could cause a G1-phase arrest and increase the apoptosis of tumor cells through the low level of apoptosis-related protein bcl-2 in the tumor-bearing mice. The organized immune function and anti-tumor ability are markedly increased after LDR. Our study provides practical evidence of clinical application to cancer treatment.