Zeaxanthin Induces Apoptosis in Human Uveal Melanoma Cells through Bcl-2 Family Proteins and Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway
Figure 3
Effect of zeaxanthin on melanoma cell apoptosis as measured by annexin V-FITC/ethidium homodimer III (annexin/EtD III) flow cytometry. Melanoma cells (C918 and SP6.5) were treated by zeaxanthin at 30 μM for 6 and 24 h, and the extent of apoptosis was determined by annexin/EtD III staining and analyzed by flow cytometry (see Section 2). (a)–(f) Annexin and EtD III negative cells are nonapoptotic cells (low left). Annexin positive and EtD III negative cells are in early stage of apoptosis (low right). Annexin and EtD III positive cells are in advanced stage of apoptosis (upper right). (a), (b), and (c) and (d), (e), and (f) are C918 and SP6.5 treated without zeaxanthin and treated with zeaxanthin at 6 and 24 h, respectively. Zeaxanthin significantly increased the rate of total apoptotic cells (the sum of early and advanced stage of apoptotic cells) in C918 (g) and SP6.5 (h). Data are mean ± SD (). , versus control (cells cultured without zeaxanthin).
