Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes and apoptosis genes in L02 cells after treatment with trichloroethylene (TCE). METHODS：Liver cells (L02 cells) were cultured with various doses of TCE (0.25，0.5，1.0 and 2.0 mmol/L) for 24 h，or with a single dose of TCE (1.0 mmol/L) for different periods of time (3 h，6 h，12 h，24 h)，the control was treated with DMSO. Real-time fluorescent PCR assay was applied for detection of mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes (CYP1A2，CYP3A4，CYP2E1) and apoptosis genes (BAX，BAD，Bcl-2). RESULTS：The relative levels of mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes and apoptosis genes markedly increased after TCE treatment at various doses for 24 h. The elevation of mRNA expression in TCE treatment groups was significant in comparison with control (P<0.05，or P <0.01). Additionally，when the cells were treated with a single dose of TCE (1.0 mmol/L) for different periods of time，the mRNA expression also increased significantly compared with control (P<0.05，or P <0.01). CONCLUSION：Trichloroethylene could induce changes in mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes and apoptosis genes. These genes might play important roles in cytotoxicity of trichloroethylene.

Key words: trichloroethylene, L02 cells, metabolic enzyme, apoptosis genes