Evaluation of FOXCUT, CCAT2, and HULC LncRNA Expression Levels and Apoptosis Induction by Sodium Butyrate in PC-3 and LNCAP Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

Sodium butyrate (NaBu) is a short-chain fatty acid acting as a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and has been shown to be a potential regulator of cancer cell death. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of NaBu on cell cycle control, apoptosis, and expression of some lncRNAs in two human prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and LNCAP). Cell viability was assessed and the appropriate dose was determined using the MTT assay. Real-time PCR technique was also used to evaluate the expression levels of HULC, FOXCUT, and CCAT2 lncRNAs. Apoptosis was diagnosed using annexin V staining, and cell cycle distribution was then assessed using flow cytometry with propidium iodide DNA staining. NaBu induced apoptosis in both prostate cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The expressions of CCAT2 and HULC lncRNAs genes have significantly decreased in the presence of NaBu (P <0.05) in both PC3 and LNCAP cell lines, in comparison with the control. However, no significant difference was observed in the expression of FOXCUT lncRNAs. Moreover, the results of flow cytometry showed an increase in cell cycle arrest of LNCAP cell line at the sub-G1 stage as compared to the control cells, but no significant difference was observed between the control cells and NaBu-exposed PC-3 cells. In addition, the percentages of early and late apoptotic cells following treatment with NaBu were 80% and 49.63% in LNCAP and PC-3 cells, respectively. Our results suggest that NaBu has a positive effect on the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell cycle in PC-3 and LNCAP prostate cancer cells.