Effects of Sufentanil Nanoparticles on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Abstract

This research was aimed to investigate the effects of sufentanil nanoparticles (Suf-NPs) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells, and to provide theoretical support for future drug therapy. Based on the preparation method of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), stearic acid and lecithin were used as materials to prepare Suf-NPs. The physical and chemical properties of Suf-NPs were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and particle size analyzer. A549 human LUAD cell line was selected. According to different cell treatment methods, A549 cells were randomly divided into control (Con), sufentanil (Suf), blank SLN, and Suf-NPs groups. Con was cultured routinely, and Suf group was treated with 0.02 μg/mL sufentanil. Suf-NPs group was treated with Suf-NPs, and the concentration was the same as that in the Suf group. The SLN group was added with blank SLN suspension. CCK8 assay was adopted to test the proliferation inhibition rate (PIR) of A549 cells treated with SUF-NPs. Flow cytometry and dual-color fluorescence microscopy were adopted to detect the apoptosis rate. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins P53, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot. The results revealed that the average particle size of Suf-NPs was (113.86±2.03) nm, the zeta potential was (−28.44±1.52) mV, the encapsulation efficiency (PER) was (82.02±3.56) %, and the drug loading (DL) capacity was (50.31±6.49) %. As against Con, the PIR, apoptosis rate, P53, and Bax protein expression was significantly higher (P <0.001), and Bcl-2 protein was markedly inferior in Suf, SLN, and Suf-NPs groups (P <0.05). Compared with the Suf, the Suf-NPs group had markedly higher PIR, apoptosis rate, and expression of P53 and Bax proteins (P < 0.05), and markedly lower expression of Bcl-2 protein (P <0.05). Suf-NPs can markedly restrain A549 human LUAD cells, promote their apoptosis, and affect the expression of related genes and proteins. It provides a theoretical basis for the future development of Suf-NPs as a drug for the treatment of lung cancer (LC).