Ascorbic Acid Induces either Differentiation or Apoptosis in MG-63 Osteosarcoma Lineage

Background/Aim: Osteosarcoma originates frommesenchymal stem cells with impaired bone differentiation.In the present study we investigated the effect of ascorbic acid(AsA) on osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis of the MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line. Materials and Methods: Weevaluated the expression of runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2) and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) genes byreal-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and ofendogenous bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) andosteocalcin proteins by immunohistochemistry. We analyzedosteoblast maturation by phosphatase alkaline synthesis andcalcium deposition, and apoptosis by (TUNEL) test andAnnexin staining. Results: Our results showed that RUNX2and SPP1 gene expression was increased in cells treated withlow concentrations of AsA with respect to untreated cells. Athigher concentrations, AsA induced apoptosis ofosteosarcoma cells, possibly with the involvement of p21.Conclusion: Our findings support the ability of AsA to induceboth differentiation, by affecting the target involved in earlyand late phases of osteogenic maturation, and apoptosis inpoorly-differentiated osteosarcoma cells.