Cold atmospheric-pressure plasma selectively inhibits glioblastoma via DNA damage and AKT dephosphorylation in vitro and in vivo

In this work, the effects of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAP) on glioblastoma are evaluated comprehensively. After CAP treatment, U251 cell viability, migration, and invasion functions were inhibited, while an appropriate dose of CAP had no inhibitory effect on human brain glial cell line cells. Western blots indicated that expression of caspase-3 was upregulated with ki-67 expression downregulated. Moreover, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, and energy metabolisms of U251 cells were influenced afterward. TUNEL assays and comet assays suggested the DNA damage of U251 cells after CAP treatment. Furthermore, as one of the DNA damage responses associated pathways, the AKT (AKT8 virus oncogene cellular homolog) signaling pathway was also indicated in the work. The findings raise great promise for clinical applications of CAP in glioblastoma treatments.