Histone deacetylase inhibitors that increase histone acetylation on transformed cells are being investigated as unique anticancer drugs. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate an antiproliferative activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitors sodium butyrate (NaBT) and trichostatin A on 5 glioma cell lines, T98G, A172, U-87 MG, U-118 MG, and U-373 MG, with the examination of the altered expressions in p21 and gelsolin genes. Treatment with 5-mM NaBT and 40 ng/ml trichostatin A for 48 h caused more than a 50% growth inhibition in 5 cell lines as measured by cell proliferation assays. An increase in histone acetylation was confirmed in each cell line. After treatment with 5 mM NaBT, T98G, A172, and U118 cells undergo apoptosis as indicated by DNA ladder formation. Treatment with NaBT and trichostatin A also decreased DNA synthesis as examined by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis in T98G and U87 cells. In addition to the suppression of cell growth, the up regulation of p21 and gelsolin expression was observed after treatment with NaBT, especially in T98G cells. Maximum expression of p21 and gelsolin was observed within 24 h after treatment. Results from our in vitro studies indicate that the treatment of human glioma cells with one of the histone deacetylase inhibitors suppresses cell growth with decreasing DNA synthesis and stimulates apoptosis, and that associated molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects include increased histone acetylation as well as enhanced expression of p21 and gelsolin.