Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
Background: Recently, cytotoxic effects of statins on breast cancer cells have been reported. However, the mechanism of anti-proliferative effects is currently unknown. Autophagy is non-apoptotic programmed cell death, which is characterized by degradation of cytoplasmic components and as having a r...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Galenos Publishing House
2018-05-01
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| Series: | Balkan Medical Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://balkanmedicaljournal.org/text.php?lang=en&id=1969 |
| _version_ | 1828018775023157248 |
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| author | Tuğba Alarcon Martinez Naciye Dilara Zeybek Sevda Müftüoğlu |
| author_facet | Tuğba Alarcon Martinez Naciye Dilara Zeybek Sevda Müftüoğlu |
| author_sort | Tuğba Alarcon Martinez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Recently, cytotoxic effects of statins on breast cancer cells have been reported. However, the mechanism of anti-proliferative effects is currently unknown. Autophagy is non-apoptotic programmed cell death, which is characterized by degradation of cytoplasmic components and as having a role in cancer pathogenesis.
Aims: To investigate the anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells with respect to both autophagy and apoptosis.
Study Design: Cell culture study.
Methods: Cell viability was analyzed using WST-1 cell proliferation assay. Apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL method, whereas autophagy was assessed by Beclin-1 and LC3B immunofluorescence staining. Ultrastructural analysis of cells was performed by electron microscopy.
Results: Atorvastatin reduced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner inducing TUNEL-, Beclin-1-, and LC3B-positive cells. Moreover, ultrastructural analysis showed apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic morphological changes in treatment groups. A statistically significant increase in the apoptotic index was detected with higher concentrations of atorvastatin at 24 h and 48 h (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on breast cancer cells is mediated by the induction of both apoptosis and autophagy which shows statins as a potential treatment option for breast cancer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T11:08:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cf425b80980e40169f2016bc5c95e1aa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2146-3123 2146-3131 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T11:08:14Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | Galenos Publishing House |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Balkan Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-cf425b80980e40169f2016bc5c95e1aa2023-02-15T16:19:17ZengGalenos Publishing HouseBalkan Medical Journal2146-31232146-31312018-05-0135325626210.4274/balkanmedj.2017.0604Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer CellsTuğba Alarcon Martinez0Naciye Dilara Zeybek1Sevda Müftüoğlu2Department of Histology and Embryology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, TurkeyDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, TurkeyDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, TurkeyBackground: Recently, cytotoxic effects of statins on breast cancer cells have been reported. However, the mechanism of anti-proliferative effects is currently unknown. Autophagy is non-apoptotic programmed cell death, which is characterized by degradation of cytoplasmic components and as having a role in cancer pathogenesis. Aims: To investigate the anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells with respect to both autophagy and apoptosis. Study Design: Cell culture study. Methods: Cell viability was analyzed using WST-1 cell proliferation assay. Apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL method, whereas autophagy was assessed by Beclin-1 and LC3B immunofluorescence staining. Ultrastructural analysis of cells was performed by electron microscopy. Results: Atorvastatin reduced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner inducing TUNEL-, Beclin-1-, and LC3B-positive cells. Moreover, ultrastructural analysis showed apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic morphological changes in treatment groups. A statistically significant increase in the apoptotic index was detected with higher concentrations of atorvastatin at 24 h and 48 h (p<0.05). Conclusion: The anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on breast cancer cells is mediated by the induction of both apoptosis and autophagy which shows statins as a potential treatment option for breast cancer.http://balkanmedicaljournal.org/text.php?lang=en&id=1969Apoptosisatorvastatinautophagybreast cancercytotoxicityMCF-7 cells |
| spellingShingle | Tuğba Alarcon Martinez Naciye Dilara Zeybek Sevda Müftüoğlu Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Balkan Medical Journal Apoptosis atorvastatin autophagy breast cancer cytotoxicity MCF-7 cells |
| title | Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells |
| title_full | Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells |
| title_short | Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells |
| title_sort | evaluation of the cytotoxic and autophagic effects of atorvastatin on mcf 7 breast cancer cells |
| topic | Apoptosis atorvastatin autophagy breast cancer cytotoxicity MCF-7 cells |
| url | http://balkanmedicaljournal.org/text.php?lang=en&id=1969 |
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