Fig. 2

Antioxidants NAC and GSH exhibited pro-oncogenetic effects on human HCC cells and desensitized NRF2/GCLC related antioxidant production pathway in vitro. a–b Sphere formation assay showing the relative numbers of spheres formed of MHCC-97L and Hep3B cells in the presence of NAC and GSH as compared to the vehicle control. Results were from 3 independent experiments. c–d Migration rates of MHCC-97L and Hep3B cells in the presence of NAC and GSH as compared to the vehicle control. Results were from 3 independent experiments. e–f Invasion rates of MHCC-97L and Hep3B cells in the presence of NAC and GSH as compared to the vehicle control. Results were from 3 independent experiments. g NRF2 stable knockdown in MHCC-97L cells. h GCLC expression by qPCR and western blot upon NRF2 knockdown. i Expression of NRF2 (left) and GCLC (right) upon treatment with t-BHP, combination of t-BHP and NAC or GSH, and control. *P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001 vs. control; One-way ANOVA