Shigeru Tanda

In vivo Analysis of Tumor Vascularization in the Rat

By using transparent chambers in rats, we have directly observed tumor‐induced neovascularization in the early stage and the formation of intricate networks in Yoshida rat ascites hepatoma AH109A and Sato lung carcinoma at high magnification. We counted branching point numbers per unit area in the microvascular network with and without tumors in order to clarify the sites from which new vascular sprouts originate. Branching point number per unit area in normal tissue was 13.6 ± 7.4/0.1 mm2 in the field near a terminal arteriole, and 12.9 ± 7.3/0.1 mm2 in the field distant from a terminal arteriole. There was no significant difference between these two fields in the normal vascular network. On the other hand, in the tumor vascular network, the branching point number in the field near a terminal arteriole was 50.4 ± 12.6/0.1 mm2, and 30.1 ± 11.5/0.1 mm2 in the field distant from a terminal arteriole. The difference is highly significant (P<0.001). The frequency with which new capillaries originated from veins and venules was very low. We concluded from these results that the position from which tumor vessels originated was usually the terminal portion of a terminal arteriole.

Characterization of Heterogeneous Distribution of Tumor Blood Flow in the Rat

Angioarchitectures of ascites hepatoma AH109A and Sato lung carcinoma (SLC) were quantitatively compared by measuring the following morphometric parameters: vascular density, vascular length, distance hetween tissues and their nearest blood vessel, and total length of microvascular network per unit area. When the vascular networks in these two types of tumors were compared in the initial stage, the morphological parameters were almost identical. Correlations between tumor size and the number of starting vessels and between enlargement of the tumor and the ensuing increase in pressure of the starting vessel were also evaluated with a microcomputer and an apparatus for measuring micro–vascular pressure. The total length of tumor vascular network to which one starting vessel supplied blood increased exponentially as the tumor increased in size exponentially. There was a positive correlation between tumor size and the number of starting vessels. The range of the blood supply from one starting vessel was evidently limited. The pressure of the starting vessel increased with enlargement of the tumor size. As soon as the pressure of the starting vessel reached a plateau, however, there was a rapid increase in low–flow or no–flow areas in regions within the tumor. From the results obtained, we consider that low–flow or no–flow areas, resistant to delivery of anticancer drugs, inevitably appear with the progression of tumor growth.

Increased Intratumor Concentration of Fluorescein‐isothiocyanate‐labeled Neocarzino‐statin in Rats under Angiotensin‐induced Hypertension

On the basis of the observation that the tumor tissue blood flow selectively increases under angiotensin (AT)‐induced hypertension, the change of the drug concentration in the tumor and normal tissues was examined in male Donryu rats. The intratumor concentration of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labeled neocarzinostatin was about 2‐fold higher in the AT‐induced hypertension group than in the control up to 20 min after the drug injection. In the normal organs or the uninvolved organs of the tumor‐bearing rats, however, no clear increase was seen in the experimental group compared with the control, as anticipated from the observation of the tissue blood flow. The present study supports the hypothesis that the enhanced anticancer effect in chemotherapy under AT‐induced hypertension formerly reported is due to the tumor‐selective enhancement of the drug delivery.

Comparison of the Effects of Intravenously Bolus‐administered Endothelin‐1 and Infused Angiotensin II on the Subcutaneous Tumor Blood Flow in Anesthetized Rats

To evaluate the effects of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) on tumor blood flow, the authors measured the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) of enflurane‐anesthetized male Donryu rats and the tissue blood flow of subcutaneously implanted tumor (Yoshida rat ascites hepatoma LY‐80) by using a hydrogen clearance method. The tumor blood flow was evaluated in terms of the ratio to the maximum blood flow, which was defined as the largest flow in the same position during successive measurements. After bolus intravenous administration of ET‐1 (1.0 nmol/kg), MABP reached approximately 140 mmHg (at 5 30 min), diminishing gradually to the baseline level over 2 h. The tumor blood flow increased from 36.7 ± 20.6 to 59.5 ± 30.2% (n = 32, P <0.001, at 2 min), returning to the baseline level at 10 min. On the other hand, at 2 min after the beginning of continuous intravenous infusion of [Asp1, Ile5]‐angiotensin II (AII; the dose was determined by a blood pressure control system for keeping MABP at approximately 150 mmHg, consequently 0.26 μg/kg/min on the average), the tumor blood flow increased from 42.3 ±21.6 to 76.4±22.6% (n = 32, P < 0.001), which was significantly larger than the flow after ET‐1. The results indicate that hypertension induced by systemic ET‐1 injection is less effective than hypertension induced by continuous systemic AII infusion in increasing tumor blood flow; AII is probably a suitable agent as a safe and effective enhancer of tumor blood flow. Moreover, ET‐1 appears to constrict arterial vessels in the microcirculation time‐dependently, while AII constricts probably only normal peripheral arterioles.

Effects of intravenous infusion of dopamine on tumor blood flow in rat subcutis.

To determine the effects of intravenous administration of dopamine hydrochloride (DA) on tumor blood flow (TBF), we measured the blood flow of normal subcutaneous tissue and subcutaneous tumor (LY‐80, a variant of Yoshida sarcoma) in enflurane‐anesthetized male Donryu rats using a hydrogen clearance method. Measurements were made before and during intravenous infusion of DA at a rate of 5μg/kg/min, while recording the mean arterial blood pressure of the rats. Under mild hypertension induced by DA, the blood flow of normal subcutis decreased and TBF increased significantly. SCH‐23390, an antagonist of the DA1 receptor, inhibited the enhancement of TBF by DA; while domperidone, an antagonist of the DA2 receptor, did not modify the effects of DA. In experimental chemotherapy against the tumor using adriamycin (ADM) 5 mg/kg i.v., only the combination of DA and ADM significantly inhibited the tumor growth. Moreover, DA reduced the weight loss caused by ADM. These results indicate that DA could have a role in increasing TBF and possibly enhance drug delivery to tumors. Moreover, it appears that the DA1 receptor contributes, at least in part, to the enhanced blood flow in rat subcutaneous tumor following DA administration.