Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Apoptotic Biomarkers in Actinomycin D-Treated SiHa Cervical Cancer Cells
13:53

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Apoptotic Biomarkers in Actinomycin D-Treated SiHa Cervical Cancer Cells

Published on: August 26, 2021

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Si-Nan Sun1, Wei-Dong Jia, Hao Chen

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University No. 17 Lujiang Road, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology
|January 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) induces apoptosis in human liver cancer cells by altering key protein expressions and inhibiting migration. This omega-3 fatty acid shows potential in combating tumor invasion and survival.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, is recognized for its potential role in inhibiting cancer incidence and progression.
  • DHA's involvement in regulating cell apoptosis, a critical process in cancer development, has been suggested.
  • Emerging research links DHA to signal transduction pathways involving key molecules such as Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and MMP-9.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between DHA and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.
  • To determine the effect of DHA on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and cell migration in Bel-7402 HCC cells.

Main Methods:

  • Human hepatocellular carcinoma (Bel-7402) cells were pre-treated with DHA.
  • Western blot analysis was used to assess protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax.
  • Caspase-3 activity and Bim mRNA levels were measured.
  • Cell migration assays were performed to evaluate the impact of DHA on cell motility.

Main Results:

  • DHA treatment induced apoptosis in Bel-7402 cells.
  • DHA significantly down-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression and Bim mRNA levels.
  • DHA up-regulated caspase-3 activity and Bax protein expression.
  • DHA was found to inhibit the migration of Bel-7402 cells.

Conclusions:

  • DHA induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
  • DHA modulates key apoptotic pathway molecules, including Bcl-2, Bax, Bim, and caspase-3.
  • DHA exhibits anti-migratory effects on HCC cells, suggesting a role in reducing tumor invasion and enhancing survival outcomes.
Keywords:
Bcl-2Docosahexaenoic (DHA)MMP-9caspase-3

More Related Videos

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen19:44

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Published on: May 30, 2012

Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells07:47

Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells

Published on: January 21, 2020

Related Concept Videos

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...