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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
A Model of Experimental Steatosis In Vitro: Hepatocyte Cell Culture in Lipid Overload-Conditioned Medium
Published on: May 18, 2021
[Palmitic acid induces apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line, HepG2 cells]
Li Zhang1, Jun Ji, Xiao-Yu Zhu
1Department of Central Laboratory, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Dalian University Medical College, Dalian 116033, China. tyouri19652004@yahoo.com.cn
Objective:
To investigate the effects of palmitic acid (PA) on human hepatocytes and its mechanism.
Methods:
We administered a mimic hyperlipidemia condition of 0.2-0.4 mmol/L PA to human hepatoma cell line, HepG2 cells. Cell viability was determined by Trypan blue staining. Cell cycle and early apoptosis were determined by propidium iodide and/or Annexin V staining, and the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results:
An inhibition of cell growth was observed at a dose- and time-dependent manner in HepG2 cells after the treatment of PA. An apoptosis with appearance of sub-G1 fraction determined by cell cycle analysis significantly increased after the treatment of PA for 4 days. Bcl-2 level slightly decreased; in contrast, Bax level elevated markedly, which resulted in a significant decrease of Bcl-2/Bax ratio.
Conclusion:
PA may induce cell death on hepatocytes via mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by reducing the level of Bcl-2/Bax.
