Figure 2. Cholesterol depletion reduces cellular cholesterol levels and inhibits proliferation without inducing apoptosis.

(A–B) Cholesterol depletion reduces cellular proliferation of LNCaP (A) and PrEC cells (B). Cell proliferation was determined at the indicated times by crystal violet staining. Data are plotted as cell proliferation (A.U., absorption units) vs. time (days) ± SD (n = 5). (C) Incubation in cholesterol-depleted media (CDM) reduces cellular cholesterol levels. LNCaP cells were incubated in control media (RPMI 10% FBS) or CDM for 18 h. Cholesterol level data are presented as percent cholesterol vs. treatment ± SD (n = 3). (D) Cholesterol depletion does not induce apoptosis. LNCaP cells were treated in control media or CDM for 18 h and were analyzed for levels of apoptosis by flow cytometry. Cell populations at Sub-G₀/G₁ are apoptotic. *p<0.05 (Student’s t-test).