Figure 2.

Apoptotic rate of cells was assayed by flow cytometry using an Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit. L02 human hepatic cells were treated with RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 20% FBS, healthy serum or acute liver failure serum for up to 20 h and then subjected to Annexin V-FITC and PI staining and flow cytometry. The acute liver failure serum triggered a significantly higher apoptosis rate than that in the FBS- and healthy serum-treated control groups. ^*P<0.05 and ^**P<0.05. FBS, fetal bovine serum; PI, propidium iodide.