Objective: Isoflurane is a widely used volatile anesthetic. The aim of the current study was to evaluate effects of isoflurane on the behavior of human cervical cancer (CC) cells and the molecular mechanisms related with this activity. Materials and Methods: The effects of isoflurane on CC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion were detected by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and matrigel invasion assay. Real-time PCR was used to assess miR-375 expression. MiR-375 mimics were transfected into CC cells to upregulate miR-375 levels. Results: Isoflurane significantly promoted CC cell proliferation and invasion, and suppressed cell apoptosis. Isoflurane also efficiently decreased miR-375 expression. Moreover, transfection of miR-375 mimics reversed the effects of isoflurane on the biological behavior of CC cells. Conclusions: The present data indicates that isoflurane could promote CC cell viability and invasion and inhibit cell apoptosis through the downregulation of miR-375.
