Published online Apr 15, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i8.1132
Revised: October 23, 2003
Accepted: November 12, 2003
Published online: April 15, 2004
AIM: To study the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on growth of human gastric cancer cell line in vitro.
METHODS: Experiment was divided into control group, rhGH group, oxaliplatin (L-OHP) group and rhGH+L-OHP group. Cell inhibitory rate, cell cycle, cell proliferation index (PI) and DNA inhibitory rate of human gastric cancer line BGC823, at different concentrations of rhGH treatment were studied by cell culture, MTT assay and flow cytometry.
RESULTS: The distinctly accelerated effects of rhGH on multiplication of BGC823 cell line were not found in vitro. There was no statistical significance between rhGH group and control group, or between rhGH+L-OHP group and L-OHP group (P > 0.05). The cell growth curve did not rise. Cell inhibitory rate and cells arrested in G0-G1 phase were obviously increased. Meanwhile, cells in S phase and PI were distinctly decreased and DNA inhibitory rate was obviously increased in rhGH+L-OHP group in comparison with control group and rhGH group, respectively (P < 0.01). Cell inhibitory rate showed an increasing trend and PI showed a decreasing trend in rhGH+L-OHP group compared with L-OHP group.
CONCLUSION: In vitro rhGH does not accelerate the multiplication of human gastric cancer cells. It may increase the therapeutic efficacy when it is used in combination with anticancer drugs.