Abstract: Objective To investigate the influence of propofol on the proliferation and apoptosis of endometrial cancer cell line RL95-2 and the effect on mTOR/S6K1 signaling pathway. Methods Human endometrial cancer cell line RL95-2 was divided into control group and propofol group (different concentrations of propofol were added). CCK-8 method was used to detect cell proliferation; Clone formation assay was used to detect the ability of cell clone formation; Flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis; Colorimetric was used to measure the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9; Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1). Results Compared with the control group, the proliferation rate and colony forming ability of RL95-2 cells in propofol groups were significantly lower (P＜0.05), the apoptosis rate and the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were significantly higher(P＜0.05), the phosphorylation levels of p-Akt, p-mTOR and p-S6K1 were significantly lower(P＜0.05). Conclusions Propofol may inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of endometrial cancer cell line by regulating mTOR/S6K1 pathway.

Key words: propofol, endometrial carcinoma, mTOR signaling pathway, proliferation, apoptosis