Arylamine N-acetyltransferases: a new inhibitor of apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) is related to cell apoptosis. METHODS: NAT activity in apoptotic HepG2 cells was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells acted upon by an NAT inhibitor was measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS: NAT activity was lowered in apoptotic HepG2 cells; apoptosis rate induced by camptothecin (CAM) increased after inhibition of NAT activity in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: NAT can inhibit apoptosis in HepG2 cells.