Open Access

Caffeine induces sustained apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by activating the caspase‑9/caspase‑3 signalling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Hanyang Liu
    • Yan Zhou
    • Liming Tang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 30, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6894
  • Pages: 2445-2454
  • Copyright: © Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed substances found in beverages, and has demonstrated anticancer effects in several types of cancer. The present study aimed to examine the anticancer effects of caffeine on gastric cancer (GC) cells (MGC‑803 and SGC‑7901) in vitro, and to determine whether the apoptosis‑related caspase‑9/-3 pathway is associated with these effects. The sustained antiproliferative effects of caffeine on gastric cancer were also investigated. GC cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using cell counting and colony forming assays, following treatment with various concentrations of caffeine. Flow cytometry was performed to assess cell cycle dynamics and apoptosis. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the activity of the caspase‑9/-3 pathway. The results indicated that caffeine treatment significantly suppressed GC cell growth and viability and induced apoptosis by activating the caspase‑9/-3 pathway. Furthermore, the anticancer effects of caffeine appeared to be sustained, as the caspase‑9/-3 pathway remained active following caffeine withdrawal. In conclusion, caffeine may function as a sustained anticancer agent by activating the caspase‑9/-3 pathway, which indicates that it may be useful as a therapeutic candidate in gastric cancer.
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September-2017
Volume 16 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Spandidos Publications style
Liu H, Zhou Y and Tang L: Caffeine induces sustained apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by activating the caspase‑9/caspase‑3 signalling pathway. Mol Med Rep 16: 2445-2454, 2017.
APA
Liu, H., Zhou, Y., & Tang, L. (2017). Caffeine induces sustained apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by activating the caspase‑9/caspase‑3 signalling pathway. Molecular Medicine Reports, 16, 2445-2454. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6894
MLA
Liu, H., Zhou, Y., Tang, L."Caffeine induces sustained apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by activating the caspase‑9/caspase‑3 signalling pathway". Molecular Medicine Reports 16.3 (2017): 2445-2454.
Chicago
Liu, H., Zhou, Y., Tang, L."Caffeine induces sustained apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by activating the caspase‑9/caspase‑3 signalling pathway". Molecular Medicine Reports 16, no. 3 (2017): 2445-2454. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6894