Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis ›› 2021, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3): 197-202.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-616x.2021.03.007

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Inhibition of metformin on phthalate-induced proliferation and migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

CHENG Bin1, WANG Xinyu2, SUN Yu1, ZHANG Jiatai1, DONG Shuying1   

  1. 1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang;
    2. Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
  • Received:2020-10-27 Revised:2021-04-19 Online:2021-05-30 Published:2021-06-09

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore induction of proliferation and migration in MCF- 7 breast cancer cells by phthalates (DEHP,DBP) as well as their inhibition by metformin. METHODS: MCF-7 cells were treated with DEHP (20,40,100,200 and 400 μg/mL),DBP (0.14,0.28,0.7,1.4,2.8,14,28 μg/L) or metformin (2.5,5,10,20 mg/mL). Untreated cells were used as controls. 20 mg/mL metformin was added to DEHP (100 μg/mL) and DBP (0.7 μg/L) respectively. The effects of DEHP and DBP on induction of proliferation of MCF-7 cells,and inhibitory effects of metformin were detected by MTT assay. Effects of DEHP and DBP on migration of MCF- 7 cells and the inhibitory effects of metformin were detected by the wound healing and Transwell assay. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, MTT and cell migration assays revealed that DEHP (20-400 μg/mL) and DBP (0.14-28 μg/L) treatments significantly increased cell proliferation and migration in MCF-7. On the other hand,metformin (2.5-20 mg/mL) treatment diminished cell proliferation and migration (P < 0.05). Compared with the DEHP and DBP groups, the combined exposures to phthalate (100 μg/mL DEHP, 0.7 μg/L DBP) and metformin (20 mg/mL) diminished cell proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that metformin inhibited proliferation and migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells which were induced by DEHP and DBP.

Key words: phthalates, DEHP, DBP, breast cancer cells, metformin

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