Antioxidants induce the proliferation of
cancers by decreasing the expression of p53.
Propofol, one of the most extensively used
intravenous anesthetics, provides its antioxidative activity via activation of the nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) pathway, but the mechanisms involved in the effects remain unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the function of p53 and Nrf2 in the human
breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 following treatment with
propofol. The cells were treated with
propofol (2, 5 and 10 µg/ml) for 1, 4 and 12 h, and MTT assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation, and a wound healing assay was used to evaluate cell migration. Cell apoptosis,
caspase-3 activity, and western blot analysis for p53 and Nrf2
protein were also assessed. Finally,
PIK-75, a potent Nrf2 inhibitor, was used to confirm the effects of Nrf2
after treatment with
propofol. Treatment of MDA-MB‑231 cells with
propofol resulted in increased proliferation and migration in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
After treatment with
propofol for 12 h, the Nrf2
protein expression was increased, while the percentage of apoptotic cells,
caspase-3 activity, and expression of p53 were significantly decreased. Additionally, treatment with the Nrf2 inhibitor increased the percentage of apoptotic cells, inhibited the migration almost completely, and decreased the degree of proliferation, while the expression of p53 was not affected. In conclusion,
propofol increased the proliferation of human
breast cancer MDA-MB‑231 cells, which was at least partially associated with the inhibition of the expression of p53, and induced cell migration, which was involved in the activation of the Nrf2 pathway.