Objective    To observe the effect of D-glucosamine 2-((3-carboxy-1-oxopropyl)amino)-2-deoxy-D-glucose (COPADG) on apoptosis and caspase-3 activation and bcl-2 protein expression in human esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells and discuss the possible mechanisms.     Methods    Eca-109 cells were cultured in vitro

then exposured to  0.03 mmol/L COPADG for different time periods. The cell morphological changes were observed by inverted phase contrast microscopy. Caspase-3 activity and bcl-2 expression were detected by flow cytometry

and apoptosis rate was analyzed by Annexin V/PI fluorescence staining together with flow cytometry.     Results    COPADG could significantly induce Eca-109 cells to apoptosis

and increase mean fluorescence intensity of caspase-3 and bcl-2 protein expressions in the cells.     Conclusion    COPADG induces the apoptosis of human esophageal cancer cell line Eca-109

as well as the activation of caspase-3 and the downregulated expression of bcl-2 protein. This may not an unique mechanism in COPADG-induced apoptosis.