Abstract:

Objective To explore mRNA and protein expressions of PPAR-γ in meningiomas and investigate the synergistic anticancer effect of its activator in meningiomas. Methods Gene expression of PPAR-γ in 48 surgical specimens(28 benign cases and 20 atypical cases)of meningiomas was determined using RT-PCR and protein expression using an immunohisto-chemical method. Human meningioma(16 cases) cells were cultured in vitro in order to study the effect of troglitazone anticancer therapy by MTT. Flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the apoptotic rate of cultured cells. Results  Compared with the atypical group, gene and protein expressions of PPAR-γ in the benign group were decreased. Gene expression in females was stronger than in males. RT-PCR result demonstrated that growth of primary meningioma cells could be significantly inhibited by troglitazone in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry results also suggested that troglitazone induced meningioma cell apoptosis in vitro and the effect was significantly increased with an increase of concentration and time. Conclusion  PPAR-γ may play an important role in the development of meningiomas. PPAR-γ agonists induce growth arrest and apoptosis in meningioma cells in vitro.

Key words: Meningiomas; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma; Troglitazone; Apoptosis