title: [Effect of metformin on apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma cells in vitro and its mechanisms].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of metformin on the apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells in vitro and its mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metformin can induce apoptosis of RCC cells in vitro, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for RCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. looselm@126.com
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei-lie
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Chun-hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Hai-yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhi-hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Zhi-peng
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Xiao-chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Shen-qiu
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008687:Metformin; C506433:CASP9 protein, human; D053453:Caspase 9