Fig. 4

Metformin promoted autophagy of prostate cancer cells. a The expressions of LC3I and LC3II were detected by Western blot after treatment with metformin for 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h for DU145 and PC3 cells. b The cells were treated with the autophagic inhibitor, 3-MA, for 24 h, and the viability of cells were tested by CCK8 assay. c The cells were treated with 3-MA at 50 μM for 2 h before treated with metformin at 20 mM, and the viability of cells were tested by CCK8 assay. d The cells were intervened with metformin at different concentrations for 24 h and assessed by immunofluorescence assay with an anti‐LC3 antibody. Numbers under the bands (LC3‐II for LC3) are the relative expression values to that of LC3I. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 compared with the control group. Ctr, Control; Met, Metformin