Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
Published on: January 7, 2013
The apoptotic efficacy of succinic acid on renal cancer cell lines
Goksu Kasarci1, Baris Ertugrul1, Elif Sinem Iplik2
1Department of Molecular Medicine, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
Recently, studies on the effects of non-toxic substances on cancer prophylaxis have gained value as an alternative to existing treatment options. Current studies have shown that succinic acid or its derivatives exhibit anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis. We aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of succinic acid on renal cancer for the first time in the literature. The cytotoxic activity of succinic acid on CAKI-2 and ACHN as renal cancer cell lines and MRC-5 as a healthy cell line was determined using the WST-1 cytotoxicity test. Apoptotic activity was measured by Annexin V test and cell death ELISA kit. The results showed that 25 μM and 50 μM doses of succinic acid for 24 h remarkably reduced the cell viability for CAKI-2 cells (89.77% and 90.77%) and ACHN cells (41.57% and 54.54%). Also, no significant effect was observed on the healthy cell line, as we expected. Additionally, administration of succinic acid at same doses resulted in apoptotic activity for ACHN cells (19.1 and 12.7) and CAKI-2 cells (19.85 and 29.55). ELISA results with same doses of succinic acid treatment increased the apoptotic fragment rates by 4.7 and 2.13-fold in CAKI-2 cells, and 32.92, 12.7-fold in ACHN cells. Succinic acid is a focal point for cancer treatments not only for its apoptotic success on cancer cells but also for its capacity to be metabolically active for humans. Our results suggest that succinic acid could be a potential therapeutic agent for individual cancer treatment approaches together with further molecular research.
Insights
Succinic acid demonstrates significant anticancer effects on renal cancer cell lines by inducing apoptosis. This non-toxic substance shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for kidney cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Non-toxic substances are increasingly explored for cancer prophylaxis.
- Succinic acid and its derivatives have shown potential anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticancer activity of succinic acid on renal cancer cell lines for the first time.
- To evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of succinic acid on CAKI-2 and ACHN renal cancer cells and MRC-5 healthy cells.
Main Methods:
- WST-1 cytotoxicity assay to determine cell viability.
- Annexin V test and cell death ELISA kit to measure apoptotic activity.
- Utilized CAKI-2, ACHN (renal cancer), and MRC-5 (healthy) cell lines.
Main Results:
- Succinic acid (25 µM and 50 µM) significantly reduced viability in CAKI-2 and ACHN cells but not in MRC-5 cells.
- Succinic acid induced apoptosis in both CAKI-2 and ACHN cells, confirmed by Annexin V and ELISA.
- ELISA showed a substantial increase in apoptotic fragment rates in treated cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- Succinic acid exhibits potent cytotoxic and apoptotic effects specifically on renal cancer cells.
- Succinic acid is a potential therapeutic agent for renal cancer, warranting further molecular investigation.
- The metabolic activity of succinic acid makes it an attractive candidate for cancer treatment approaches.
