Melatonin Regulates Cisplatin Resistance and Glucose Metabolism Through Hippo Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

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Published on Monday, 30 March 2020

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy that occurs in the liver. Clinical cases have been recorded worldwide, particularly in the Saharan area and Asia. In the present work, we aimed to probe the characteristics of melatonin involved in human HCC development, especially in cisplatin resistance and glucose metabolism.

Methods: Two HCC cells, HepG2 and Hep3B cells, were treated with melatonin. Cell cycle test was then used to define the role of melatonin in cell progression while Western blotting and qPCR assay were applied to determine the associated proteins in the treatment. Annexin V/PI staining and MTT assay was used to probe the involvement of melatonin in cisplatin-induced cell apoptosis process. Successively, we assessed glucose consumption in melatonin treated cells along with Western blotting for detection of GLUT-3 expression level. Yes-associated protein (YAP), a key regulator of Hippo signaling pathway, was further examined to characterize the function of melatonin on adjusting GLUT3 and Bcl-2 expression.

Results: Melatonin enabled inhibition of HepG2 and Hep3B proliferation and cell cycle progression via affecting the cell cycle-associated proteins. Annexin V/PI staining and MTT assay results demonstrated that melatonin assisted cisplatin-induced apoptosis accompanied with upregulated caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, as well as Bcl-2 expression. It revealed that melatonin inhibits glucose uptake and ATP production via downregulation of Glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3). In addition, YAP was downregulated by melatonin treatment. The YAP depletion in HepG2 and Hep3B cells suppressed mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 and GLUT3, whereas overexpression of YAP in melatonin treated cells partly reversed the melatonin-induced inhibition on proliferation, cisplatin-induced apoptosis, and GLUT3 and Bcl-2 expression.

Conclusion: Melatonin hindered HCC proliferation and aided cisplatin resistance via regulating the Hippo signaling pathway.



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- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Cyclophosphamide 50mg tablets and/or Hydroxyurea 500mg tablets, one or two per day);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Melatonin tablets. From 30-40mg/day up to 200mg/day orally in patients with advanced stage of cancer disease and/or patients without respond to traditional treatments);

- Melatonin with adenosine solubilized in water and stabilized with glycine for oncological treatment - technical preparation, effectivity and clinical findings;

- About Melatonin - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- Publication: Melatonin anticancer effects: Review (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication: Key aspects of melatonin physiology: 30 years of research (from Di Bella's Foundation);

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