Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to investigate,To investigate the effects of propofol on the proliferation,apoptosis and invasion of SCC-74 cells via HIF-1 α signal pathway.Methods SCC-74 cells were cultured in vitro.The final concentrations of propofol were 2.5,10 and 20 μg/mL in low-dose propofol groups,medium-dose propofol group and high-dose propofol groups,respectively.The control group was given the same amount of DMEM culture medium,and the cells were harvested after treatment for 48h.The proliferation,apoptosis and invasion of SCC-74 cells were detected.At the same time,the levels of Akt,p-Akt,HIF-1 α,Fas,FasL,Bcl-2 and Bax protein and mRNA were detected.Results Compared with the control group,the proliferation rate and invasion number of SCC-74 cells in all propofol dose groups was significantly decreased,the apoptosis rate of SCC-74 cells increased(P＜0.05),and the levels of p-Akt and bcl-2 protein in SCC-74 cells was significantly decreased,the levels of HIF-1 α,Bcl-2,Fas,FasL and Bax protein increased in a dose-dependent manner(P＜0.05).There was no significant change in the expression of Akt in SCC-74 cells(P＞0.05).Conclusion Propofol can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of SCC-74 cells and promote the apoptosis of SCC-74 cells by activating HIF-1 α signal pathway.

Key words: Propofol, HIF-1 α signal pathway, Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, Cell proliferation, Apoptosis, Cell invasion