Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of sevoflurane on proliferation and invasion in human prostate cancer PC3 cell line. Methods The cells were randomly divided into four groups： control group and three sevoflurane groups (exposed to 1.7%, 3.4% and 5.1% sevollurane for 2, 4 and 6 h respectively). The ability of prolifera⁃ tion and invasion of PC3 cells were evaluated by MTT and Transwell invasion assays. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of hypoxia inducing factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in PC3 cells. Results The ability of proliferation and invasion of PC3 cells was significantly increased after being exposed to sevollurane for 2, 4 and 6 h (P＜0.05), and the expression of HIF-1α protein in PC3 cells was significantly higher after being exposed to sevollurane for 2， 4 and 6 h (P＜ 0.05), showing the Treat 3 group＞ Treat 2 group＞Treat 1 group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Sevoflurane can promote prolifer⁃ ation and invasion in PC3 cells, which are gradually increased with time and concentration of sevoflurane treatment. The mechanism may involve in the up-regulation of HIF-1α expression．

Key words: prostatic neoplasms, anesthesia, inhalation, ethers, cell proliferation, neoplasm invasiveness, sevoflurane, HIF-1α