The Apoptotic Effects of Testosterone on Lung Cancer (A549) Cells

Studies have shown that sex steroids affect the proliferation of cancer cells at cellular and molecular levels. The present study investigated the apoptotic effects of testosterone on lung cancer (A549) cells in cell culture medium. In this experimental-laboratory study, the cytotoxic effects of testosterone on Hek293 and A549 cells were assayed using MTT method. Real time PCR was used to evaluate the expression levels of Bax and Bcl2 genes in A549 cells exposed to IC50 dose of testosterone. The data were statistically analyzed between groups using one-way ANOVA. Exposure of Hek293 and A549 cells to higher dose of testosterone (1000 microg/ml) of testosterone resulted in significant decrease in cell viability (P<0.001). IC50 dose of testosterone significantly decreased the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression level (P<0.001) in A549 cells, however, did not significantly change the expression level of apoptotic Bax gene. The cytotoxic concentration of testosterone induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells by its inhibitory effect on anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression level. Accordingly, appropriate dose of testosterone has anti-cancer effects against lung cancer cells.