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Ghrelin inhibits 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in colonic cancer cells
Xiao-Tong He1, Xiao-Ming Fan, Xi-Liang Zha
1Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background And Aim:
The aim of the present study was to investigate if ghrelin inhibits apoptosis in colonic cancer cells.
Methods:
Cell viability in HT-29 cells was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was measured using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and flow cytometry. The protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 activation was examined using Western blotting.
Results:
Ghrelin dose dependently decreased the growth inhibition of HT-29 cells induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Cells treated with 5-FU displayed chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, which are typical changes of apoptosis. However, co-treatment with ghrelin reduced these changes. Flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide showed that ghrelin decreased the apoptotic rate of HT-29 cells induced by 5-FU. Caspase-3 activation was significantly lower in the co-treated group than in the group treated with 5-FU alone. In addition, ghrelin reversed the 5-FU-induced Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio.
Conclusion:
Ghrelin inhibits 5-FU-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells through the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio.
Insights
Ghrelin inhibits apoptosis in colon cancer cells treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). This study shows ghrelin reduces cancer cell death by regulating the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Colon cancer is a significant global health concern.
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a critical process in cancer development and treatment.
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a common chemotherapeutic agent used for colon cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of ghrelin in modulating apoptosis in colon cancer cells.
- To determine if ghrelin affects the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to 5-FU treatment.
Main Methods:
- HT-29 colon cancer cells were used to assess cell viability via MTT assay.
- Apoptosis was quantified using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and flow cytometry.
- Western blotting was employed to analyze the protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and activated caspase-3.
Main Results:
- Ghrelin demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in 5-FU-induced growth inhibition of HT-29 cells.
- Co-treatment with ghrelin significantly decreased the apoptotic rate and morphological changes associated with apoptosis.
- Ghrelin treatment led to a significant decrease in caspase-3 activation and modulated the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio.
Conclusions:
- Ghrelin exhibits anti-apoptotic effects in colon cancer cells.
- Ghrelin inhibits 5-FU-induced apoptosis by regulating the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio, suggesting a potential therapeutic role.
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