BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a life-threating malignancy worldwide. Accumulating studies suggest propofol has anti-tumor functions in addition to the anesthetic effect. This study aimed to figure out the effects of propofol treatment in GC development.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human GC SGC-7901 and NCI-N87 cells were treated with different doses of propofol. Then the invasion and migration of GC cells was measured. SGC-7901 cells following 10 μM propofol treatment were applied in the following experiments. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) with differential expression in cells with or without propofol treatment were analyzed. Expression of miR-195-5p, Snail, vimentin and E-cadherin in SGC-7901 cells was measured, and then loss-of-function of miR-195-5p and gain-of-function of Snail were performed. Target relation between miR-195-5p and Snail was confirmed using luciferase assay. Xenograft tumor was induced in nude mice to identify the effect of propofol on GC in vivo.

RESULTS: Propofol reduced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and migration of GC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol elevated miR-195-5p expression but reduced Snail expression, and it reduced vimentin but increased E-cadherin expression in SGC-7901 cells. miR-195-5p directly bound to Snail. miR-195-5p inhibition or Snail promotion reversed propofol-inhibited malignant behaviors of SGC-7901 cells. In vitro results were reproduced in in vivo experiments.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that propofol could inhibit EMT, invasion, and migration of GC cells by promoting miR-195-5p expression and suppressing Snail expression. This study may provide novel insights in GC treatment.

Keywords: Propofol, Snails, Anesthetics, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Snail Family Transcription Factors