CuO NPs induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

<p>(A) Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of mRNA levels of apoptotic genes in HepG2 cells exposed to CuO NPs. (I) p53, (II) bax, (III) bcl-2 and (IV) caspase-3. Data represented are mean ± SD of three identical experiments made in three replicate. *Statistically significant difference as compared to the controls (p<0.05 for each). (B) Western blot analysis of protein levels of apoptotic genes in HepG2 cells treated with CuO NPs. (I) Immunoblot images of p53, bax, bcl-2 and bax proteins. (II) Protein levels were also analyzed by desitometric analysis using AlphaEase TM FC StandAlone V.4.0.0 software. Results are expressed as a fold change over the control group. *Statistically significant difference as compared to the controls (p<0.05 for each).