Fig. 5

The role of AMPK and p38 MAPK in the antiproliferative effect of metformin and ATO combination treatment on ICC cells. a Downregulation of AMPK by specific siRNAs partially rescued ICC cell survival in cells treated with metformin and ATO. b Inactivation of AMPK by compound C partially rescued ICC cell survival in cells treated with metformin and ATO (^* P < 0.05). c The activator of AMPK, AICAR, potentiated the antiproliferative effect of ATO on ICC cells. (Combination vs AICAR ^* P < 0.05, combination vs ATO ^# P < 0.05). d and e Downregulation of p38 MAPK by specific siRNAs or inactivation of p38 MAPK by SB203580 potentiated the antiproliferative effect of metformin and ATO combination treatment on ICC cells. f The expression level of AMPK and p38 MAPK was detected by western blot in ICC cells after specific siRNA interference