Objective: To explore the relationship between glycodeoxycholate (GDC) and rat hepatocellular apoptosis.
Methods: GDC was used to treat rat hepatocytes cultured in vitro and the apoptotic cells were observed and analyzed with light microscope, transmission electron microscope, TUNEL in situ hybridization, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry.
Results: When rat hepatocytes were incubated with GDC (final concentration of 100 micromol/L) for 2h, apoptotic hepatocytes were observed with light and transmission electron microscope, and TUNEL in situ hybridization. When the hepatocytes were incubated with GDC (final concentration of 50, 100, 150 micromol/L, respectively) for 2h, or with GDC (final concentration of 100 micromol/L) for 2, 4, 6, 8h, respectively, agarose gel electrophoresis of the hepatocytes DNA demonstrated the typical ladder patterns.
Conclusion: GDC with final concentration of 50, 100, 150 micromol/L could induce rat hepatocellular apoptosis.