Objective: In order to investigate the roles of mitochondria in vitamin E succinate (VES)-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.
Methods: Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (deltapsi(m)) was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, while the expression of cytochrome c in cytosol and caspase-3 was measured by western blotting after the cells were treated with VES at 5, 10, 20 microg/ml.
Results: VES obviously decreased deltapsi(m) with dose- and time-dependent relationship, increased the expression of cytochrome c in cytosol and caspase-3 and activated caspase-3 as well.
Conclusion: VES-induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells might involve mitochondrial permeability transition, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 downstream.