Sevoflurane attenuate hypoxia-induced VEGF level in tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell by upregulating the DNA methylation states of the promoter region

Anaesthetic agents were confirmed to play a role on the tumor angiogenesis. The effect of sevoflurane on tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell has not been investigated. SCC-4 cells were exposed to sevoflurane after simulating hypoxia. Then, both the mRNA and protein level of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and VEGF were detected. The methylation states of the VEGF promoter region were also assessed to reveal the underlying mechanism. Finally, the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza) was administrated to reveal the relationship of DNA methylation on the regulation of the VEGF level. Results showed that sevoflurane attenuated the hypoxia-induced VEGF level without altering the HIF-1α after exposure for 24 and 72 h. Sevoflurane increased the DNA methylation of the VEGF promoter region. The attenuation effect of sevoflurane on hypoxia-induced VEGF level could be blocked by 5-Aza. We concluded that sevoflurane attenuates hypoxia-induced VEGF level via DNA methylation of the promoter region in TSCC cell.