Abstract
Objective The antitumor effect of metformin have been explored in various type of cancers. In colorectal cancer, the mechanism of inhibition effect of metformin is unclear. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of metformin on proliferation of colon cancer cells. Methods The variation of proliferation rate of HT29 colon cancer cell line was detected by MTT assay. Western Blotting assay was performed to test the variation of protein expression level in metformin treated HT29 cells. Results Metformin could inhibit proliferation of HT29 cells which present concentration dependence. After metformin treated HT29 cells for different duration, protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular regulated protein kinases (Erk) phosphorylation were down-regulated. Further investigation showed that metformin could inhibit insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) phosphorylation level which is the upstream of Akt and Erk signaling pathway in HT29 cells. Conclusion Metformin inhibit proliferation of HT29 colon cancer cell by blocking IGF1R and downstream Akt and Erk signaling pathway. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Metformin; Cell proliferation; MTT assay; Western blotting assay
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