Gliclazide Reduces Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer Formation by Deceasing Colonic Inflammation and Regulating AMPK-NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Background Gliclazide is a potential anti-cancer drug candidate for preventing carcinogenesis. However, the effect of gliclazide on colitis-associated colorectal cancer remains unknown. Aims We aimed to evaluate whether gliclazide plays a protective role in colitis-associated colorectal cancer and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods The administration of azoxymethane (AOM) followed by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) aimed to induce colitis-associated colorectal cancer in mice. C57BL mice were gavaged with gliclazide (6 mg/kg by gavage 5 days a week) for 12 weeks immediately following AOM administration. After sacrificing the mice, colon tissues were measured for tumor number and tumor burden. The proliferation- and inflammation-related molecular mechanisms were explored. Results The administration of gliclazide significantly reduced the tumor number and tumor burden in mice. Cell proliferation decreased in the gliclazide group compared with the control group, as indicated by reduced Ki-67 expression. Furthermore, gliclazide alleviated colonic inflammation, significantly decreased pro-inflammatory factor TNF-α levels and increased anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 levels in vivo . In vivo and vitro , it was shown that gliclazide increased the level of phospho-AMPK (p-AMPK) and inhibited NF-κB activity. Further studies demonstrated that the inhibition of NF-κB activity induced by gliclazide was mediated by p-AMPK in vitro. Conclusions Gliclazide effectively alleviated colonic inflammation and prevented colonic carcinogenesis in an AOM–DSS mouse model by modulating the AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, gliclazide holds potential as a chemopreventive agent for colitis-associated colorectal cancer.