Abstract:

To investigate the effects of testosterone on proliferation and telomerase activity of Hep2 cells. MethodsProliferation activity of Hep2 cells was assessed by MTT assay. Expressions of Androgen Receptor antigen and Telomerase antigen were determined at 48?h after testosterone (10-8mol/L ) treatment by an immunocytochemistry method. ResultsOD values of Hep2cells before treatment and at 48?h after testosterone (10-8mol/L) treatment were 0.150±0.008 and 0.281±0.010. Testosterone at a concentration of 10-8mol/L may stimulate proliferation activity of Hep2 cells. Others had no such effect. Testosterone antigen activity was respectively 95.73% and 93.84% before and after testosterone (10-8mol/L) treatment, with no significant changes. However, telomerase activity increased from 52.35% to 89.21%, with obvious statistical significance. Slides with strong expression of telomerase increased from 2 to 8. ConclusionThe Hep2 cell line is androgensensitive cell. Testosterone can stimulate proliferation of Hep2 cells through increasing telomerase activity. Therefore, it has potential to develop endocrine therapy and antitelomerase drugs for laryngeal carcinoma.

Key words: Testosterone; Hep2; Telomerase