Effect of anaesthetics on glioblastoma cell line migration, proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase-2

Introduction: Anaesthetic technique and other perioperative factors have the potential to impact the invasion and migration ability of tumour cells that can affect long-term outcome after cancer surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sevoflurane and thiopentone on cell migration, proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 of glioblastoma cell line. Methodology: Human glioblastoma U87MG cell line was chosen for the study. The study comprised a study group (cell line exposed to different concentration of sevoflurane/thiopentone) and a control group (cell line not exposed to sevoflurane/thiopentone). In the thiopentone group, cells were treated with 100 μM, 500 μM and 1000 μM concentrations of thiopentone for 30 min. In these voflurane group, the cells were exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane in air-oxygen mixture with a FiO₂ of 45–55% in an incubator chamber for 90 min. Cells in control group for sevoflurane were only exposed to mixture of 45–55% O₂. Migration and activity of MMP-2 were assessed by wound healing migration assay and gelatin zymography assay, respectively, after incubation for 24 h whereas proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after 48 h of incubation. Results: Various concentrations of thiopentone and 2.5% sevoflurane significantly lowered the migration of the U87MG glioma cells and MMP-2 activity (P < 0.05) compared to controls. However, there was no significant effect of both thiopentone and sevoflurane on proliferation. Discussion: Anaesthetics at increasing concentration cause a decrease in cell migration and MMP activity essential for metastasis. This study may have implications for future development of anti-malignant therapy and can influence the choice of anaesthetic agent in cancer surgeries.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).