Induction of apoptosis in human gastric cancer by sodium butyrate

Background. Novel therapeutic agents are needed in the adjuvant treatment of gastric cancer. The differentiating agent sodium butyrate (NaBT) inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells; its effects on gastric cancers are not known. The purpose of our study was to characterize the effects of NaBT on human gastric cancer. Material and Methods. The human gastric cancer, SIIA, was treated with NaBT (5 mM) for 12-72 h. Cell number, viability and death were measured. Expression levels of the tumor-suppressor protein, p53, the cell-cycle inhibitors, p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1), and the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bax, Bak, and Bik, were determined. Results. NaBT significantly inhibited SILA gastric cancer cell proliferation in a time-dependent fashion by a process involving the induction of apoptosis. Treatment with NaBT was associated with increased expression levels of p21(Waf1/Cip1) p27(Kip1), Bax, Bak, and Bik. Conclusions. NaBT triggers growth arrest and apoptosis in the human gastric cancer SIIA potentially through the induction of the cell-cycle inhibitors, p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1), and the pro-apoptotic genes, Bax, Bak, and Bik. NaBT may be an effective adjuvant agent in the treatment of gastric cancer.