Desipramine induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

In this study, we examined the effects of desipramine in human hepatoma Hep3B cells. To evaluate anti-proliferative effects of desipramine in Hep3B cells, we determined cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, and intracellular Ca2+ levels after desipramine treatment. Desipramine reduced cell viability, increased ROS production, and decreased MMP activity in Hep3B cells. In addition, desipramine activated MAPKs (ERK 1/2, JNK, and p38) and increased intracellular Ca2+ levels. Pro-apoptotic effects of desipramine were abolished after MAPK inhibitors (PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125) or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), as a ROS scavenger, treatments. These findings suggest that desipramine sho...

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