Figure 5. SAHA enhanced antitumor effect of DHA on Hep G2 xenograft tumor in mice. A.

Combination of SAHA and DHA noticeably halted the growth of Hep G2 xenograft tumor. Nude mice were inoculated with 1×10⁷ of Hep G2 cells. After the formed tumor was palpable, mice were randomly divided into four groups. DHA (5 mg/kg mouse body weight) was given to the ‘DHA’ group, SAHA (1 mg/kg mouse body weight) was given to the ‘SAHA’ group, combination of SAHA and DHA was given to 'DHA+SAHA' group, once daily for five consecutive days per week for 24 d. The tumor volumes were calculated every two days. Six xenografts were performed in each group. Data are mean±SD, *P<0.05, versus the DMSO group. B. Combination of SAHA and DHA treatments resulted in a dramatic decline of tumor weight. On day 24, mice were sacrificed, and the tumor weights were measured. C. Apoptosis was induced in vivo. Tumors were sectioned and apoptosis was determined using in situ cell death detection kit. Apoptotic cells were observed under fluorescent microscope. D. SAHA significantly increased apoptosis in DHA-treated mice. Percentages of apoptotic cells were measured by counting the number of green cells under five random fields.