Fig. 2

RCC proliferation, migration, cell cycle and apoptosis under VPA and metformin application (a) 786-O cells and ACHN cells were cultured with VPA 1 mM (VPA), metformin 10 mM (Met) or a combination (VPA + Met), and the cell viabilities were examined by CCK8 at 24, 48 and 72 h. *P < 0.05 vs control group, ^#P < 0.05 vs metformin group. b The migration ability of 786-O cells was tested by transwell after treatment with VPA, Met or VPA + Met. Photos were taken at 200× magnification. Bar, 100 μm. The cell numbers of groups were counted. *P < 0.05 vs control group, ^#P < 0.05 vs metformin group. c 786-O cells were treated with VPA, Met or VPA + Met for 24 h and 48 h then fixed by cold alcohol. The stained cells were detected by Muse Cell Analyzer to analyse the cell cycle distribution. Results were shown in bar graphs. *P < 0.05 vs control group, ^#P < 0.05 vs metformin group. d 786-O cells were treated with VPA, Met or VPA + Met for 48 h. The rates of apoptosis were determined and analysed. *P < 0.05 vs control group, ^#P < 0.05 vs metformin group