Objective: This study was conducted to assess the growth inhibition of colorectal adenoma cells by sulindac and identify the possible mechanisms.
Methods: The colorectal adenoma cells from human sporadic adenomatous polyps were cultured, and then treated with sulindac. The cell viability was examined by MTT colorimetric assay; the S-phase fraction and the percentage of apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.
Results: Following sulindac treatment at different concentrations for 24, 48 and 72 hours, reduction of the cell viability was time- and dose-dependent. After 48-hour-treatment, S-phase fraction was decreased and the percentage of apoptosis was increased; both indexes of all groups except 0.3 mmol/L group were different from those of controls (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: These data suggested that sulindac could inhibit the growth of the colorectal adenoma cells, and its mechanisms might be related to suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis.