Apoptosis Pathway in The Combined Treatment of X-Ray and 5-FU-Loaded Triblock Copolymer-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles
Rezvan Golbaz, Samideh Khoei, Sepideh Khoee, Sakine Shirvalilou, Majid Safa, Seied Rabi Mahdavi, Mohammad Karimi
Abstract
Aim: In this study, the effects of ionizing radiation and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded triblock copolymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) on the induction of apoptosis in HT-29 and HCT-116 were investigated. Materials & methods: The percentage of apoptotic cells and alteration of the expression of apoptotic-related proteins were evaluated in treated cells by flow cytometry and western blot analysis, respectively. Results: Combination treatment with 5-FU and radiation had a stronger effect on decreasing Bcl-2 expression and increasing expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP compared with each treatment alone. Conclusion: The combination of radiation and triblock copolymer-coated magnetic NPs as 5-FU drug carriers works by triggering apoptosis to improve in vitro treatment efficacy. Additional study may present the NPs as an effective approach for the treatment of colon cancer.