Authors:
H.R. MotamedDepartment of Biology, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Islamic Republic of Iran

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M. ShariatiDepartment of Biology, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Islamic Republic of Iran

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R. AhmadiDepartment of Biology, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Islamic Republic of Iran
Avicenna International College, Budapest, Hungary

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S. KhatamsazDepartment of Biology, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Islamic Republic of Iran

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M. MokhtariDepartment of Biology, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Islamic Republic of Iran

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Abstract

Purpose

Progesterone has been reported to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer and osteosarcoma cells; however, its inhibitory mechanism has not yet been clarified. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of progesterone on apoptosis in breast cancer (MCF-7) and human osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells.

Materials and methods

In this experimental study the cytotoxic effect of progesterone was measured in MCF-7 and MG-63 cells exposed to different concentrations of progesterone using MTT assay, and effective concentrations were identified. The expression levels of the Bax, P53 and Bcl-2 genes were evaluated by real-time PCR, and caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity levels were determined using a colorimetric method. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry were used to confirm apoptosis. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent-samples t-test.

Results

Compared to the control group, we observed a significant increase in the expression levels of the Bax and P53 genes and the activity levels of caspase-3 and 9, and a significant decrease in the expression level of the Bcl-2 gene in MCF-7 and MG-63 treated with effective concentration of progesterone. The caspase-8 activity level did not change significantly in treated MG-63 but increased in treated MCF-7 cells. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry results confirmed apoptosis in the cells exposed to effective concentration of progesterone.

Conclusions

The cytotoxic effect of progesterone on breast cancer and osteosarcoma cells was mediated by apoptotic pathways. In this context, progesterone triggers the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in MCF-7 cells and induces the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in MG-63 cells.

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Editor-in-Chief

László ROSIVALL (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)

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Anna BERHIDI (Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)

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2021  
Web of Science  
Total Cites
WoS
330
Journal Impact Factor 1,697
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Physiology 73/81

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5 Year
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Journal Citation Indicator 0,47
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Physiology 69/86

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Physiology (medical) (Q3)
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2020  
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Journal
Impact Factor
2,090
Rank by Physiology 62/81 (Q4)
Impact Factor  
Impact Factor 1,866
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5 Year 1,703
Impact Factor
Journal  0,51
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Rank by Journal  Physiology 67/84 (Q4)
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Citable 42
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Scimago 29
H-index
Scimago 0,417
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Scopus Physiology (medical) 71/98 (Q3)
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Scopus 0,528
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2019  
Total Cites
WoS
137
Impact Factor 1,410
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without
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1,361
5 Year
Impact Factor
1,221
Immediacy
Index
0,294
Citable
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34
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Articles
33
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Reviews
1
Cited
Half-Life
2,1
Citing
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9,3
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0,00028
Article Influence
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0,215
% Articles
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Citable Items
97,06
Normalized
Eigenfactor
0,03445
Average
IF
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12,963
Scimago
H-index
27
Scimago
Journal Rank
0,267
Scopus
Scite Score
235/157=1,5
Scopus
Scite Score Rank
Physiology (medical) 73/99 (Q3)
Scopus
SNIP
0,38

 

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