Effect of Tetrabromobisphenol A on Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Apoptosis of HepG2 Cells

Objectives To investigate the effect of tetrabromobisphenol A on the apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Methods The viability of HepG2 cells was measured by MTS assay kit, the effect of tetrabromobisphenol A on mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by using a JC-1 fluorescence probe; and the apoptosis of cells labeled with AnnexinⅤand PI was detected by flow cytometry.

Results The viability of cells was decreased with the increase of TBBPA exposure.Comparing with control cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells treated with 20 and 30 μmol/L TBBPA was significantly decreased. The apoptosis of cells induced by TBBPA was increased in a dose-dependent manner, and a statistically significant increase of apoptosis was observed at a concentration of 30 μmol/L.

Conclusions TBBPA could induce an apoptosis of HepG2 cells, which may be related to the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential.