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Published on: June 18, 2015
Salinomycin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human uterine leiomyoma cells
Hyun Gyo Lee1, Ji Min Lee2, So Jin Shin2
1Institute for Cancer Research, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of the salinomycin in cell proliferation and apoptosis in primary cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells.
Methods:
Cell viability was measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Caspase-3 activity assay and DNA fragmentation assay were performed to determine the effect of apoptosis. The expression of apoptosis regulatory-related proteins was evaluated by western blot.
Results:
The cell viability and proliferation of uterine leiomyoma cells were significantly reduced by salinomycin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation assay results showed apoptotic cell death after salinomycin incubation. Salinomycin activated caspase-3, -8, and -9, causing apoptosis in uterine leiomyoma cells. Down-regulation of Bcl-2, XIAP, and FLIP with a concomitant increase in Bax, Fas, and DR5 were observed.
Conclusion:
These results provided the first evidence that salinomycin induce both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. Therefore, salinomycin may be a promising chemopreventive and therapeutic agent against human uterine leiomyoma.
Insights
Salinomycin effectively reduces uterine leiomyoma cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. This suggests salinomycin
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Uterine leiomyomas are common benign tumors.
- Limited effective therapeutic options exist for uterine leiomyomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate salinomycin's anti-proliferative effects on human uterine leiomyoma cells.
- Determine salinomycin's role in inducing apoptosis in these cells.
Main Methods:
- Cell viability assessed using MTT assay.
- Apoptosis evaluated via caspase activity and DNA fragmentation assays.
- Protein expression analyzed by Western blot.
Main Results:
- Salinomycin significantly reduced leiomyoma cell viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.
- Salinomycin induced apoptotic cell death, activating caspases-3, -8, and -9.
- Modulation of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, XIAP, FLIP, Fas, DR5) observed.
Conclusions:
- Salinomycin triggers both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in uterine leiomyoma cells.
- Salinomycin demonstrates potential as a chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for uterine leiomyoma.

