The Effects of Cytotoxic Dose of Testosterone on Bax , Bcl2, and CD82/KAI1 Genes Expression in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (HT29) and Brain Glioblastoma Cells(A172)

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Studies have shown that sex steroids affect cancer cells at cellular and molecular level. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cytotoxic dose of testosterone on the expression of Bax, Bcl2, and CD82/KAI1 genes in adenocarcinoma colorectal (HT29) and brain glioblastoma cells (A172). Methods: In this laboratory-experimental study, HT29 and A172 cells, were divided into control group and groups exposed to cytotoxic dose of testosterone (1 and 0.1 mg/ml for HT29 and A172, respectively). Real time PCR was used to evaluate the expression levels of Bax, Bcl2, and CD82/KAI1 genes. The data were statistically analyzed between groups using one way ANOVA statistical test. Results: The expression levels of BCL-2 and Bax genes significantly increased and decreased in HT29 cells exposed to cytotoxic dose of testosterone, respectively (p<0.001), but, expression level of CD82/KAI1 gene did not significantly change. The expression levels of Bax and CD82/KAI1 genes significantly increased (p<0.01) and decreased (p<0.001) in A172 cells received cytotoxic dose of testosterone, respectively; however, BCL-2 gene expression level did not significantly change. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the cytotoxic concentration of testosterone in colorectal adenocarcinoma and brain glioblastoma cells induces Bax gene-related apoptosis. Also, it had no antimetastatic effect in adenocarcinoma colorectal cells. Whereas, in the brain glioblastoma cells, it decreases the expression level of CD82/KAI1 anti-metastatic gene, which may also increase the metastatic potential.

Keywords

• testosterone
• colon cancer
• glioblastoma