Effect of metformin on apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma cells in vitro and its mechanisms / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of metformin on the apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells in vitro and its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry were used to examine the changes in the apoptosis of 786-O cells after metformin treatment. The possible signaling molecules involved in this process were analyzed by immunoblot analysis of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and caspase 9.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Metformin induced apoptosis and caspase 9 activation in 786-O cells in low-serum medium but not in normal-serum medium. Metformin also induced AMPK activation in 786-O cells, but this activation was not associated with the cell proliferation inhibition or apoptosis-inducing effect of metformin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Metformin can induce apoptosis of RCC cells in vitro, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for RCC.</p>