[Experimental study of simvastatin induced apoptosis of K562 cells by caspase-12 activation].

Objective: To explore the apoptotic effect of simvastatin on K562 cells through Caspase-12 activation.

Methods: Morphological changes of apoptotic cells were observed by Hoechst33258 fluorescent staining under fluorescent microscope; Apoptosis rate of cells was determined with annexin V-FITC/PI double staining by flow cytometry; Intracellular calcium concentration ([ca2+]i) was measured by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope(LSCM); The expression levels of GRP78 and Calpain gene mRNA were determined by RT-PCR; The expression levels of Caspase-3,-6,-7,-9,-12 and GRP78 proteins were evaluated by Western blot.

Results: Typical morphological changes of K562 apoptosis cells were observed post 72 hours treated with 10, 20, 30 micromol/L simvastatin.