Fig. 5

MET plus Lun plus Gen augmented effects of 5-fluorouracil on apoptosis, viability, and frequency of stem cell-like subpopulation. a Representative plots of apoptotic cells (Annexin V FITC- and PI-positive) after treatment with insulin (2 μM); insulin + Lun + Gen + MET; insulin + 5FU; insulin + 5FU + MET (60 μM); or insulin + 5FU + MET + soy bioactives (Lun + Gen; 2 μM each). b Apoptosis induced by 5FU in combination Lun + Gen + MET. Values (Least-square mean ± SEM) are from two independent experiments, with each experiment carried out in triplicate. Means with distinct letters differed at P < 0.05. c HCT116 cells under the hyperinsulinemic condition were pre-treated with MET or MET + Lun + Gen for 48 h prior to receiving 5 FU. MET + Lun + Gen augmented the 5FU-mediated decrease in cell viability. Mean values with distinct letters differed at P < 0.05; two experiments, with each carried out in triplicates. d HCT116 cells under hyperinsulinemic conditions were treated with 5FU alone or 5FU after pre-treatment with MET + Lun + Gen. The percentage of CD133⁺CD44⁺ subpopulation in treated cells was evaluated by FACS. Pre-treatment with the three factors decreased the percentage of CSC-like cells in 5FU-treated cells. Data are mean ± SEM, relative to that of insulin-treated cells (two experiments, each performed in triplicates). *P < 0.05