Characterization of murine hepatoma BW7756. III. Hematological profile of a tumor-associated anemia

Hematological reference values and animal welfare parameters of BALB/C-FMABC (Mus musculus) inoculated with Ehrlich tumor kept in the vivarium at ABC Medical School

BACKGROUND

Biochemical and hematological parameters are important tools for assessing the physiological profile of vital organs, and can be recorded to create reference values used for clinical diagnosis of diseases. Many research laboratories lack the means to establish their own set of reference parameters for use in their research, and while there are articles in the literature that discuss laboratory parameters for healthy BALB/c mice, few studies address the evaluation of these parameters in pathological situations, such as in mice inoculated with Ehrlich tumor.

METHOD

BALB/c-FMABC mice previously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor were maintained under appropriate conditions. Blood samples were taken for analysis of hematological parameters using automated and semi-automated equipment to create a set of the animal welfare parameters for evaluation.

RESULT

Results were obtained for all the hematological parameters for all groups analyzed. These showed: statistically significant differences between the initial and final tumor weight; comparable initial tumour volume and weight; an increase in leukocytes in the 7-day group with a characteristic predominance of lymphocytes and neutrophils; statistically significant changes in RDW in the 21-day group and in the welfare parameters in the 28-day group.

CONCLUSION

The study successfully defined and established reference values for hematological and welfare parameters for all groups analyzed.

Biological roles of alpha-fetoprotein during pregnancy and perinatal development

The use of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a serum marker in cancer actually predates its employment in the detection of congenital defects; however, the latter use of AFP as a fetal defect marker has propelled its clinical utilization. Although the serum-marker capacity of AFP has long been exploited, less is known of the biological activities of this oncofetal protein during fetal and perinatal development. In the present review, the biological activities of AFP are discussed in light of this glycoprotein's presence in various biological fluid compartments: embryonic and fetal tissues, serum, urine, and reproductive fluids. After a review of the histochemical detection of AFP in various cells and tissues during development, AFP concentrations within various biological fluids were discussed in the context of gestational age and anatomic location. Discussion follows concerning the relationships and roles of AFP in developmental events such as erthyropoiesis, histogenesis/organogenesis, and ligand binding and in developmental disorders such as hypothyroidism, folate deficiencies, and acquired immunodeficiency disorder (AIDS). Based on its association with so many types of birth defects, malformations, and congenital anomalies, AFP can be viewed as a molecular "troubleshooter" until signal transduction pathways are established during pregnancy and prenatal development. The review concludes with a discussion of the place of AFP in the rapidly expanding field of proteomics.

Red blood cell polyamines, anaemia and tumour growth in the rat

In rats with Mat Lylu prostatic carcinoma, significant changes in blood composition and red blood cell (RBC) characteristics were observed. Anaemia, characterised by a decrease in the number of RBC and the reduction of haemoglobin and the iron content in plasma, was correlated with tumour size and the accumulation of spermidine and spermine in the RBC. In large tumours, spermidine levels were increased by 8-fold over normal value. Spleen weight and splenic spermidine concentrations were enhanced in animals with tumours. After splenectomy, the rate of tumour growth decreased by 30%. It is proposed that anaemia in tumour-bearing animals is caused by enhanced RBC lysis, owing to the alteration of the rheological properties of RBC. These may be caused by the alterated surface characteristics due to polyamine accumulation. RBC lysis and high concentrations of polyamines in RBC and spleen appear, not only to favour tumour growth, but also to compromise the immunological defence mechanisms against neoplastic invasion.

Rubidium and zinc fluctuations in selected tissues during the development of the BW7756 murine hepatoma

In separate studies, radioisotopes 65Zn and 86Rb were used to monitor trace element fluctuations from normal in C57L/J mice throughout the progression of a murine hepatoma. Amounts too small to upset normal levels were injected directly into the blood stream. After an equilibration period, the whole mouse and various resected organs and tissues were counted. Compared to normal levels, rubidium in diseased mice was lower in kidney and blood, and elevated in skin and muscle. Diseased mice showed depressed levels of zinc in skin and muscle. Large fluctuations during different stages of tumor growth were observed for various other tissues and organs of diseased mice.

Time dependent zinc distribution in the development of the BW7756 murine hepatoma

The Zn levels in selected tissue types were measured in a study of the BW7756 murine hepatoma utilizing 65Zn as a tracer. The total body burden and individual tissue activities (including tumor) were recorded at predetermined stages of tumor growth and directly compared to those obtained from normal (healthy) animals. 65Zn fluctuations observed with disease progression were correlated to the growth curve of the carcinoma. Normalization of individual tissue activities to the total body activity, the control of geometry and lack of significant attenuation of the accompanying gamma ray are unique advantages in the use of this isotope.