Transport of the organic cations gonyautoxin 2/3 epimers, a paralytic shellfish poison toxin, through the human and rat intestinal epitheliums.

The aim of this work is to study the mechanisms involved in gonyautoxins (GTXs) intestinal absorption. For this purpose, we studied the transport of GTX 2/3 epimers by intestinal epithelial cell lines (IEC-6 and Caco-2) cultured on polycarbonate filters. Specific transport was calculated by subtracting from the flux of GTX 2/3 measured at 37 degrees C that occurring at 4 degrees C, this being an indication of transcellular transport. The transcellular apical-to-basolateral (A-B) flux in Caco-2 cell monolayers, was greater than that in the opposite direction, suggesting the involvement of an active transport system favoring the absorption of the toxin. However, in IEC-6 cells the transcellular basolateral-to-apical (B-A) specific transport of the toxin was greater than that in the opposite direction. The A-B and B-A fluxes were, respectively, 127 +/- 26 and 205 +/- 23 nmol/min, suggesting the presence of a prevalent secretive process of the toxin in IEC-6 cells. The A-B transport of GTX 2/3 epimers in Caco-2 cells, but not in IEC-6 cells, was partially Na(+)-dependent and significantly inhibited by adenosine. TEA and verapamil in both Caco-2 and IEC-6 cells failed to affect the A-B and B-A transport of GTX 2/3 epimers. Cyanine in IEC-6 cells, but not in Caco-2 cells, increased the A-B flux of the toxin, suggesting the involvement of the organic cation transporter in the absorption of GTX 2/3 epimers. The mitochondrial energetic uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol significantly inhibited the A-B and the B-A transport in both cell lines. In conclusion, IEC-6 cells secrete actively the toxins, whereas Caco-2 cells were found to absorb the toxins in a process that was inhibited in the presence of adenosine and the absorption was dependent of Na(+).     

M3受体通过激活MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号通路促进H9c2心肌细胞生存

目的研究毒蕈碱型胆碱受体(M受体)对H9c2心肌细胞MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号通路的调控作用及其对细胞活力的影响。方法 H9c2心肌细胞用非选择性或选择性M受体拮抗药处理30 min之后,以氨甲酰胆碱刺激细胞,然后用Western Blot检测全细胞蛋白质中MEK1/2和ERK1/2磷酸化水平的变化,采用Alamar Blue法检测细胞活力。结果以氨甲酰胆碱刺激H9c2心肌细胞能显著增加MEK1/2和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平,这种活化作用可被非选择性M受体拮抗药阿托品完全阻断;M3受体选择性拮抗药DAU 5884可以阻断氨甲酰胆碱对MEK1/2-ERK1/2的激活,但M1、M2和M4受体的选择性拮抗药则没有这种阻断作用;在无血清的培养基中,氨甲酰胆碱能增加H9c2心肌细胞的生存能力,这种细胞保护作用可被阿托品和DAU 5884消除。结论在H9c2心肌细胞中,氨甲酰胆碱通过M3受体调控MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号通路,并由此促进细胞的生存。     

Effect of cationized gelatins on the paracellular transport of drugs through caco-2 cell monolayers

Cationized gelatins, candidate absorption enhancers, were prepared by addition of ethylenediamine or spermine to gelatin and the effects of the resulting ethylenediaminated gelatin (EG) and sperminated gelatin (SG) on the paracellular transport of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF), FITC-dextran-4 (FD4), and insulin through caco-2 cell monolayers were examined. The Renkin function was used for characterization of the paracellular pathway and changes in the pore radius (R) and pore occupancy/length ratio (epsilon/L) calculated from the apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) of CF and FD4 are discussed. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) increased the R of the caco-2 cell monolayer and the P(app) of all compounds examined was markedly increased by the addition of EDTA. On the other hand, EG and SG did not increase R and their enhancing effects were not as strong as those of EDTA. The increase in epsilon/L could be the enhancing mechanism for the cationized gelatins. The number of pathways for water-soluble drugs, such as CF and FD4, in the caco-2 monolayers could be increased by the addition of the cationized gelatins. The ratios of the permeability coefficients of insulin (observed/calculated based on the Renkin function) suggest that insulin undergoes enzymatic degradation during transport which is not inhibited by enhancers.     

熊果酸通过ROS／AMPK／STAT3信号通路抑制胃癌细胞COX-2表达

目的：探讨胃癌细胞中活性氧（ROS ）／单磷酸腺苷激活的蛋白激酶（AM PK ）／信号转导与转录活化因子3（STAT 3）信号通路在熊果酸抑制环氧化酶2（COX‐2）表达中的作用。方法在人胃腺癌细胞株SGC‐7901中加入不同浓度熊果酸（0、10、20、30μmol／L ）培养24 h ,或用抗氧化剂N‐乙酰‐L半胱氨酸（NAC 2.5 mmol／L）预处理30 min后熊果酸再干预培养24 h。采用荧光探针2′,7′‐二氯荧光素（DCFH‐DA）检测细胞内ROS水平,Western blot检测AMPK、STAT 3磷酸化水平和COX‐2蛋白表达。结果熊果酸明显增加SGC‐7901细胞内ROS生成和AMPK磷酸化水平,抑制STAT3磷酸化和 COX‐2蛋白表达（P＜0．01或P＜0．05）;而 NAC 能有效逆转上述各指标的变化过程（P＜0．01或P＜0．05）。结论熊果酸可能通过 ROS／AMPK／STAT3信号转导通路抑制胃癌细胞COX‐2表达。     

Gab2通过PI3K/Akt/ARK5/MMP途径影响乳腺癌的侵袭和转移

目的探讨Gab2在乳腺浸润性导管癌侵袭和转移中的分子机制,为临床预防乳腺癌的侵袭和转移提供理论依据。方法采用免疫组织化学SP法检测80例乳腺浸润性导管癌组织及癌旁相对正常组织(>5 cm)中Gab2蛋白表达情况,并分析其表达与乳腺浸润性导管癌临床病理参数的相关性,分析浸润性导管癌中Gab2、MMP-2及MMP-9蛋白表达的相关性。采用Western blot检测乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7、MDA-MB-231中Gab2蛋白的表达情况。采用RNAi技术将小RNA干扰质粒瞬时转染乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231,应用Western blot检测转染成功后各组细胞中MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白的表达情况,应用Transwell体外侵袭实验检测各组细胞的侵袭性,用EGF刺激细胞后Western blot检测Akt及ARK5的磷酸化情况。结果浸润性导管癌组织中Gab2蛋白的阳性表达率明显高于癌旁正常组织(P<0.01),浸润性导管癌中Gab2蛋白的表达与ER、组织学分期及淋巴结转移密切相关(P<0.05),且其表达与MMP-2及MMP-9蛋白的表达呈正相关;MDA-MB-231细胞系中Gab2蛋白表达量高于MCF-7细胞系中表达量;转染干扰质粒24 h后,与转染空载细胞组相比,SiG ab2/MDA-MB-231细胞组中Gab2蛋白的表达量明显降低,结果显示转染成功。同时,SiG ab2/MDA-MB-231细胞组穿过Transwell小室人工基膜数量明显减少(P<0.05),并伴有MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达降低(P<0.05)。用EGF刺激各组细胞,结果显示:在SiG ab2/MDAMB-231细胞组Akt及ARK5的磷酸化明显受到抑制。结论Gab2通过PI3K/Akt/ARK5信号通路影响MMP-2、MMP-9的表达从而促进乳腺癌的侵袭与转移。     

Platelet-activating factor increases pH(i) in bovine neutrophils through the PI3K-ERK1/2 pathway

1. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is known to stimulate a variety of neutrophil activities, including chemotaxis, phagocytosis, degranulation, reactive oxygen species production and intracellular pH increase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PAF on pH((i)), specifically if these changes in pH are the result of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation in bovine neutrophils. 2. PAF caused intracellular alkalinization in 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester-loaded bovine neutrophils. This phenomenon seems to be mediated by amiloride-sensitive Na(+)/H(+) exchange, and is inhibited by WEB2086 (a selective PAF receptor antagonist), genistein (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), wortmannin and LY294002 (PI3K inhibitors), and PD98059 and UO126 (MEK inhibitors). 3. PAF 100 nm induced an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins 62, 44 and 21 kDa with a maximum response at 2 min of incubation. 4. Unlike human neutrophils, bovine neutrophils are strongly stimulated by PAF via phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase) with an EC(50) of 30 and 13 nm, respectively. 5. PAF MAPK activation was also inhibited by WEB2086, pertussis toxin (PTX), genistein, wortmannin, LY294002, PD98059 and UO126 in bovine neutrophils. The ERK1/2 activation is dependent on PI3K pathway, because protein kinase B was phosphorylated by PAF and inhibited by wortmannin and LY294002, but not by U0126. 6. Our results suggest that PAF induces intracellular alkalinization via PI3K-MAPK activation. This effect is upstream regulated by PAF receptor, PTX-sensitive G protein, tyrosine kinase, PI3K and MEK1/2 in bovine neutrophils.     

Aspirin protects Caco-2 cells from apoptosis after serum deprivation through the activation of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/p21Cip/WAF1pathway

Our previous studies indicated that millimolar doses of aspirin induced growth arrest and resistance to anticancer drug treatment in Caco-2 cells. The present study was designed to better elucidate at the molecular level the effect of aspirin treatment on pathways that regulate cell death during serum withdrawal. Caco-2 cells were cultured under serum deprivation in the presence or absence of aspirin. Effects on cell cycle, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways were investigated. We found that aspirin, but not the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor N-[2-(cyclohexyloxyl)-4-nitrophenyl]-methane sulfonamide (NS-398); prevented apoptosis and G2/M transition after prolonged Caco-2 cells serum deprivation. Aspirin-dependent inhibition of apoptosis and G2/M transition was prevented by treatment with the PI3-kinase inhibitor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002), but not with the MAP kinase kinase inhibitor 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059). The effects of aspirin were mediated at molecular levels, through activation of PI3-kinase/AKT pathway and increase in the p21Cip/WAF1 level. The ability of aspirin to activate AKT protein was observed also in presence of etoposide cotreatment. Our data indicate a new intracellular target of aspirin with potential clinical impact for treatment schedules involving both anticancer agents and aspirin in malignancies.     

Emodin induces apoptosis through caspase 3-dependent pathway in HK-2 cells

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a major constituent of rhubarb. Although it has been claimed to have a wild spectrum of therapeutic value, its side effects, especially in human kidney cells have not been well characterized. In the present study, we treated human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 cells with emodin in vitro and evaluated its toxic effects with cell viability, cell cycle phases and induction of apoptosis/necrosis and activity of caspase 3. The proliferation of HK-2 cells was inhibited by emodin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis revealed that HK-2 cells were locked in G1 phase by emodin as for 12h. Apoptosis was supported by the Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay and the occurrence of a sub-G1 peak. Emodin caused an increase in caspase 3-like activities and a caspase 3 inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO, attenuated the apoptosis. These results suggested that HK-2 cells are sensitive to emodin-induced cytotoxic effects, which are mediated through the induction of apoptosis in caspase 3-dependent pathway.     

SMND-309 promotes neuron survival through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/CREB-signalling pathway

Context In clinical practice, the promotion of neuron survival is necessary to recover neurological functions after the onset of stroke.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the post-ischaemic neuroprotective effect of SMND-309, a novel metabolite of salvianolic acid, on differentiated SH-SY5Y cells.

Materials and methods SH-SY5Y cells were differentiated by pre-treating with 5?μM all-trans-retinoic acid for 6 d. The differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2?h and reperfusion (R) for 24?h to induce OGD/R injury. After OGD injury, differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were treated with or without SMND-309 (5, 10, 20?μM) for another 24?h. Cell viability was detected through Cell counting kit-8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay. Apoptosis was evaluated through flow cytometry, caspase-3 activity assay. Changes in protein levels were assessed through Western blot.

Results SMND-309 ameliorated the degree of injury in the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells by increasing cell viabilities (5?μM, 65.4%?±?4.1%; 10?μM, 69.8%?±?3.7%; 20?μM, 75.3%?±?5.1%) and by reducing LDH activity (20?μM, 2.5 fold) upon OGD/R stimulation. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining results suggested that apoptotic rate of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells decreased from 43.8% induced by OGD/R injury to 19.2% when the cells were treated with 20?μM SMND-309. SMND-309 significantly increased the Bcl-2 level of the injured differentiated SH-SY5Y cells but decreased the caspase-3 activity of these cells by 1.6-fold. In contrast, SMND-309 did not affect the Bax level of these cells. SMND-309 evidently increased the protein expression of BDNF when Akt and CREB were activated. This function was antagonized by the addition of LY294002.

Conclusion SMND-309 can prevent neuronal cell death in vitro. This process may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt/CREB-signalling pathway.     

抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路对HER-2/neu诱导的Ishikawa细胞增殖的影响

目的研究抑制磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(Akt)信号通路对表皮生长因子受体2(HER-2/neu)诱导的雌激素依赖性子宫内膜癌细胞增殖的拮抗作用。方法①表皮生长因子(EGF)处理Ishika-wa细胞株及转染HER-2/neu的Ishikawa细胞株,蛋白印迹法检测转染细胞前后总Akt(t-Akt)及磷酸化Akt(p-Akt)蛋白、环氧化酶(COX)-2蛋白的表达。酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)方法检测细胞培养上清液中雌二醇(E2)的含量。②用PI3K/Akt的抑制剂LY294002抑制信号通路,以不同时间(浓度为20μmol/L时,分别作用10,20,40和60min)和不同浓度(5,10,20和40μmol/L)作用30min后,再次检测COX-2的表达水平,ELISA检测E2水平。结果 HER-2/neu可引起子宫内膜癌细胞Akt活化,经EGF刺激后p-Akt/t-Akt比值、COX-2及细胞上清液中E2的表达量在转染组显著高于未转染组(P<0.05)。应用抑制剂抑制PI3K/Akt通路后,转染HER-2/neu的Ishikawa细胞株中COX-2的表达水平低于正常的Ishikawa细胞株,同时细胞上清液中肿瘤E2的含量于转染HER-2/neu的Ishikawa细胞株明显低于正常Ishikawa细胞株(P<0.05);随药物浓度的增加及作用时间的延长,2组细胞COX-2及E2的表达均逐渐减少,且抑制作用与浓度及作用时间呈依赖关系。结论 HER-2/neu可能通过PI3K/Akt通路来诱导COX-2的转录,进而导致雌激素的分泌增多,使子宫内膜癌细胞无限生长。     

Low dose methamphetamine mediates neuroprotection through a PI3K-AKT pathway

High doses of methamphetamine induce the excessive release of dopamine resulting in neurotoxicity. However, moderate activation of dopamine receptors can promote neuroprotection. Therefore, we used in vitro and in vivo models of stroke to test the hypothesis that low doses of methamphetamine could induce neuroprotection. We demonstrate that methamphetamine does induce a robust, dose-dependent, neuroprotective response in rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). A similar dose dependant neuroprotective effect was observed in rats that received an embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Significant improvements in behavioral outcomes were observed in rats when methamphetamine administration delayed for up to 12 h after MCAO. Methamphetamine-mediated neuroprotection was significantly reduced in slice cultures by the addition of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor antagonist. Treatment of slice cultures with methamphetamine resulted in the dopamine-mediated activation of AKT in a PI3K dependant manner. A similar increase in phosphorylated AKT was observed in the striatum, cortex and hippocampus of methamphetamine treated rats following MCAO. Methamphetamine-mediated neuroprotection was lost in rats when PI3K activity was blocked by wortmannin. Finally, methamphetamine treatment decreased both cleaved caspase 3 levels in slice cultures following OGD and TUNEL staining within the striatum and cortex in rats following transient MCAO. These data indicate that methamphetamine can mediate neuroprotection through activation of a dopamine/PI3K/AKT-signaling pathway.     

Retinoids induce cytochrome P450 3A4 through RXR/VDR-mediated pathway

A panel of retinoids and carotenoids was screened as potential inducers of CYP3A4 through the RXR/VDR-mediated signaling pathway. Transient transfection assays revealed that 3 out of 12 retinoids screened transactivated RXR/VDR and induced CYP3A4 reporter activity. These three retinoids are the active metabolites of retinoids, 9-cis-retinal, 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA), and all-trans-retinoic acid (all-trans-RA). 9-cis-RA and all-trans-RA preferentially transactivated the RXR/VDR heterodimers and RXR homodimers. Retinoids and VDR agonist 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, but not PXR or CAR activator, could induce Cyp3a11 mRNA level in hepatocytes derived from PXR/CAR-double null mouse. Moreover, retinoids induced CYP3A4 enzyme activity in HepG2 human hepatoma and Caco-2 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. A direct role of retinoid-mediated CYP3A4 induction through RXR/VDR was proved by the results that 9-cis-retinal, 9-cis-RA, and all-trans-RA recruited RXR and VDR to CYP3A4 regulatory region pER6 (proximal everted repeat with a 6-nucleotide spacer) and dXREM (distal xenobiotic-responsive enhancer module). Thus, using various approaches, we have unequivocally demonstrated that retinoids transactivate RXR/VDR heterodimers and RXR homodimers and induce CYP3A expression at mRNA as well as enzyme activity levels in both liver and intestinal cells. It is possible that retinoids might alter endobiotic metabolism through CYP3A4 induction in vivo.     

lncRNA HOST2通过PI3K/Akt途径调控卵巢癌SKOV3 细胞对顺铂的敏感性

摘要：目的 探讨下调长链非编码RNA（lncRNA）上皮性卵巢癌转录因子2（HOST2）表达对人卵巢癌SKOV3细 胞顺铂敏感性的影响及其作用机制。方法 体外培养人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞,取对数生长期细胞分为空白对照组、阴 性对照组和siRNA干扰组,其中阴性对照组和siRNA干扰组SKOV3细胞应用Lipofectamine 2000分别转染阴性对照 siRNA 和 lncRNA HOST2-siRNA,空白对照组未进行转染。采用 qPCR 法检测各组细胞 lncRNA HOST2 的表达; Western blot检测磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶（PI3K）/蛋白质丝氨酸苏氨酸激酶（Akt）信号通路相关蛋白Akt、p-Akt （S473）、pAkt（S380）及Bcl-2的表达;CCK-8法检测经不同浓度（0、20、40、60、80、100 μmol/L）顺铂作用后细胞的存活情况,并计算半抑制浓度（IC50）;流式细胞术检测经20 μmol/L顺铂作用后的细胞凋亡率。结果 与空白对照组和阴性对照组 比较,siRNA 干扰组细胞 lncRNA HOST2 表达及 p-Akt（S473）、p-Akt（S380）和 Bcl-2 蛋白表达水平均降低（均 P＜ 0.05）;3组Akt蛋白表达水平差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。空白对照组、阴性对照组和siRNA干扰组细胞存活率均 随顺铂药物浓度的增加而降低,IC50分别为（59.58±5.97）、（51.42±5.22）和（39.75±5.31）μmol/L。siRNA干扰组细胞凋 亡率（12.42%±1.46%）明显高于空白对照组（7.53%±1.25%）和阴性对照组（8.16%±1.31%）。结论 下调 lncRNA HOST2表达可增强人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞对顺铂的敏感性,其机制与抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路相关蛋白的表达有关     

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway negatively regulates Nod2-mediated NF-kappaB pathway

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing proteins (Nods) are intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize conserved moieties of bacterial peptidoglycan and activate downstream signaling pathways, including NF-kappaB pathway. Here, we show that Nod2 agonist muramyldipeptide (MDP) induces Akt phosphorylation in time and dose-dependent manner. The pharmacological inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) (wortmannin) and dominant-negative forms of p85 (the regulatory subunit of PI3K) or Akt enhance, while constitutive active forms of p110 (the catalytic subunit of PI3K) or Akt inhibit, NF-kappaB activation and the target gene interleukin (IL)-8 induced by MDP. In addition, the pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K (wortmannin and LY294002) enhance phosphorylation of NF-kappaB p65 on Ser529 and Ser536 residues, which result in enhanced p65 transactivation activity. Furthermore, we show that the inhibition of PI3K by the pharmacological inhibitors prevent the inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta, suggesting that the negative regulation of PI3K/Akt on MDP-induced NF-kappaB activation is at least in part mediated through inactivation of GSK-3beta. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PI3K/Akt pathway is activated by Nod2 agonist MDP and negatively regulates NF-kappaB pathway downstream of Nod2 activation. Our results suggest that PI3K/Akt pathway may involve in the resolution of inflammatory responses induced by Nod2 activation.     

白花蛇舌草的有效成分2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌通过Fas/FasL信号通路诱导卵巢癌细胞凋亡

目的研究中药白花蛇舌草的有效成分2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌对人卵巢癌细胞HO-8910生长的抑制作用和凋亡的影响。方法不同浓度的2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌与人卵巢癌细胞HO-8910分别培养0、24、48、72 h,用台盼蓝染色法测定HO-8910细胞存活率;以Annexin V FITC/PI双染流式细胞仪检测HO-8910细胞的凋亡率;Western blot法检测Fas和Fas L蛋白的表达;采用荧光比色法测定Caspase-3和Caspase-8蛋白酶的活性。结果随着2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌浓度的增加及作用时间的延长,药物对HO-8910细胞的生长有明显的抑制作用;HO-8910细胞的凋亡率亦随之增高,且呈药物浓度及时间依赖关系;2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌作用HO-8910细胞后Fas和Fas L的蛋白表达水平逐渐上升;Caspase-3和Caspase-8蛋白酶的表达亦逐渐增强;Caspase-3和Caspase-8抑制剂能够抑制2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌诱导的HO-8910细胞凋亡。结论 2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌可以诱导HO-8910细胞凋亡,Fas/Fas L通路在2-羟基-3-甲基蒽醌诱导的HO-8910细胞凋亡过程中起重要作用。     

Furazolidone induces apoptosis through activating reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway and suppressing PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in HepG2 cells

Furazolidone (FZD), a synthetic nitrofuran with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities, has been shown to be genotoxic and potentially carcinogenic in several types of cells. However, the proper molecular mechanisms of FZD toxicity remain unclear. This study was aimed to explore the effect of FZD on apoptosis in HepG2 cells and uncover signaling pathway underlying the cytotoxicity of FZD. The results showed that FZD induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner characterized by nuclei morphology changes, cell membrane phosphatidylserine translocation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and a cascade activation of caspase-9 and -3. FZD could enhance reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, up-regulate Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and subsequently cause cytochrome c release. Both ROS scavenger (N-acetyl cysteine, NAC) and caspase inhibitors suppressed FZD-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, NAC attenuated FZD-induced ROS generation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, FZD treatment inhibited both the activation and expression of Akt, and PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 promoted FZD-induced apoptosis. On the contrary, PI3K/Akt activator insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) attenuated lethality of FZD in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, it is first demonstrated that FZD-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells might be mediated through ROS-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway and involves PI3K/Akt signaling.