Leptin decreases the sensitivity of human colon cancer cell HT-29 to 5-flurouracil

To verify whether leptin attenuated the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to 5-flurouracil (5-FU). HT-29 cells were treated with 5-FU in the absence or presence of various concentrations of leptin. The cytoprotective effect of leptin was detected by MTT and flow cytometer. The expression of caspase-9 was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Leptin attenuated the cytotoxic response of HT-29 cells to 5-FU by facilitating cells survival and antagonizing apoptosis. In addition, leptin decreased the expression of caspase-9 in HT-29 cells induced by 5-FU. Leptin treatment reduces the susceptibility of colon cancer cells to 5-FU by promoting cell survival. Attenuation of caspase-9 expression is one of the mechanisms underlying the cytoprotective role of leptin in HT-29 cells.