Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of nifedipine on gastrin-induced proliferation of HT29 colon carcinoma cells and inquire into the possible mechanisms.
Methods: Flow cytometry was used to monitor the cytoplasmic free calcium; MTT colorimetry was used to determine the proliferation of HT29 cells.
Results: The results showed that 2.5 x 10(-6) mol/L pentagastrin (PG) induced a quick rise of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) (P < 0.01). 10(-5) mol/L nifedipine can significantly inhibited the rise of [Ca2+]i induced by pentagastrin (P < 0.01), in parallel, at growth assay we demonstrated that 10(-5)-10(-6) mol/L nifedipine could obviously block the increase in cell number elicited by 2.5 x 10(-6) mol/L PG.
Conclusion: These data indicate that nifedipine can stop the influx of Ca2+ and hence inhibit the pentagastrin-induced proliferation.