Fig. 5

Activation of mitochondrial-caspase pathway of apoptosis by low-intensity ultrasound combined with 5-FU. a Representative fluorescence images of the translocation of cytochrome c in BEL-7402 cells. Cytochrome c in NAC-untreated US + 5-FU group diffused in the cytosol (long arrow), which was anchored to the mitochondria in the Control and NAC-treated US + 5-FU groups (short arrow). Representative expression of apoptosis-related proteins in vivo (b) and in vitro (c) after the treatment. d Representative expression of apoptosis-related proteins with and without NAC in BEL-7402 cells. Data was presented as the mean ± SD (n = 6, ^★ p < 0.05 vs. other three groups)