ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of metformin and exaliplatin on proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. The antitumor effects of metformin combined with exaliplatin on gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 were compared. Methods SGC-7901 cells were cultured in vitro. The proliferation inhibition rate of cancer cell after treatment with various concentrations of metformin(5.0,10.0,15.0 mmol/L)、exaliplatin(2.5,5.0,10.0 μmol/L)or 15.0 mmol/L metformin combined with 10.0 μmol/L exaliplatin was analyzed via MTT colorimetric assay at 24,48,72 h.After 24 h, the SGC-7901 cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and the relative activity of caspase-3 and bax was detected by western blot. Results The co-administration of metformin and exaliplatin or single agent treatment could increase the proliferation inhibition rates of SGC-7901 cell in a time-and dose-dependent manner, while there was a significant higher proliferation inhibition rate in co-administration versus single-agent treatment (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate induced by 15.0 mmol/L metformin and 10.0 μmol/L exaliplatin and combined treatment was (16.0 ± 2.1)%, (19.0 ± 2.7)%, (29.0 ± 3.5)%, higher than that in blank control group (10.0 ± 1.1)%, and there was significant difference (P <0.05). Both of metformin and exaliplatin could increase caspase-3 and Bax activity.Caspase-3 and Bax activity in the combination of metformin and exaliplatin was significantly higher than that of metformin group and exaliplatin group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Metformin combined with exaliplatin has synergistic effect in inhibiting the growth and inducing apoptosis of gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901.Enhancing caspase-3 and Bax expression may be the related mechanism