Flufenamic acid promotes angiogenesis through AMPK activation

Int J Oncol. 2013 Jun;42(6):1945-50. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2013.1891. Epub 2013 Apr 10.

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays critical roles in development, tumor growth and metastasis. Flufenamic acid (FFA) is an anti-inflammatory agent known to alter ion fluxes across the plasma membrane. Its role in angiogenesis has not been fully addressed to date. Here, we report that FFA treatment promotes angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Applying FFA for 12 h promoted tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without affecting cell proliferation. Three angiogenesis-related genes, VEGF, e-NOS and AAMP, were analyzed by RT-PCR. A significant difference was found between the FFA group and the control; the FFA group had significantly higher mRNA accumulation levels of all the three genes (p<0.05). Moreover, in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, FFA promoted the formation of macroscopic blood vessels. Finally, western blotting showed that the FFA-treated group had significantly higher phosphorylated AMPK levels, compared with the control (p<0.05). These results suggest that FFA promotes angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo likely via promoting tube formation through AMPK activation.

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / blood supply
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / drug effects
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Flufenamic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • AAMP protein, human
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Flufenamic Acid
  • NOS3 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases