5-FU-induced autophagy was inhibited by capsaicin.

(A) Acridine orange staining showing lysosomal (red or orange) staining in the cells in the 5-FU treatment group. (B and D) The expression of beclin1 and atg5 mRNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in vitro (B) and in vivo (D). (C and E) Western blot analysis of LC I/II protein expression exposed to different treatments in vitro (C) and in vivo (E). (F) Western blot analysis of the AKT/mTOR pathway in QBC939 cells exposed to different treatments after 24 h. GAPDH was used as a loading control. 5-FU (40 μM), capsaicin (40 μM), control/vehicle (PBS). * P<0.05, ** P<0.01.