Research Of β-elemene Interventional Treatment On VX2 Carcinoma Transplanted On Liver In Rabbits

Purpose Primary liver cancer is still a major disease threatens the human health. Its incidence and mortality rates are rising year on year. According to the WHO 2005 global cancer statistics showed 626000 cases of HCC arises every year, and among them, 55% occur in China. Our situation is still very grim. Currently surgical removal of the tumor is the best treatment, however, hepatic resection or transplantation is restricted to a small minority (25%-30%) of patients. Although there is no standard treatment for irresistible tumors, TACE has become recognized as the preferred method.β-elemene is china self-developed anti-tumor drug without cytotoxicity. Experimental pharmacology studies thatβ-elemene have inhibition and anti-tumor effect for a variety of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo with immunoprotection role. It has the smaller herbal toxicity, no hepatic, renal dysfunction, no bone marrow suppression. In clinical work for patients of liver cancer , TACE way has proved effective in inactivation of tumor throughβ-elemene local infusion, it can also advanced liver function and improve clinical symptoms. But forβ-elemene use of standardized clinical, it remains to be verified.The purpose of this study is to observe VX2 carcinoma transplanted on liver in rabbits necrosis, evaluating anti-tumor and its toxicity ofβ-elemene, further approaching anti-tumor mechanisms ofβ-elemene and looking for theoretical evidence for better clinical application.Method The rabbits were all transplanted with VX2 carcinoma on liver. Percutaneous transfemoral hepatic arterial catheterization with fixation of the cathethertip inside the feeding vessel was carried out under DSA guidance. 34 rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups. A group(normal saline 2ml injection ten min), B group(lipiodol 0.5ml via hepatic arterial embolization ten min), C group(β-elemene 50mg one-shot or bolus injection 10min), D group(β-elemene 50mg continuous transarterial infusion 5hour), E group(β-elemene 50mg+lipiodol 0.5ml embolization 10 min). We observe general situation in rabbits after interventional therapy. To determine hepatic and hematologic toxicities caused by the treatment, peripheral blood was drawn via the auricular vein from the all animals before TACE and 2, 5, 7 days after TACE; Plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were measured by a biochemical autoanalyzer. we observe pathological changes of tumor under lightly microscope respectively after killing all animals and evaluate theraphy effect of different options.Resuls C,D group are that the plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels transiently increased the day after TACE and gradually decreased thereafter. The levels decreased to pre-TAE levels 7 days after TACE. B,E group are that the plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels continue increasing 2- 5days after TACE, but not return pre-TAE levels 7 days after TACE. there is a significant difference among experimental groups (C, D and B, E). Saline control group are that the plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels have not significant changes. From general observation there were manly varying degrees of necrosis among every groups, besides tumor size. Four groups(B, C, D, E) were homogeneous surface shaped fishmeat. Central region of tumor view larger necrosis with small amount of bleeding. A group were larger bleeding, with mild necrosis. It shows small patch of necrosis and survival tumor separation and has not significant change in adiacent liver tissue. Under optical microscope, tumor showed coagulation necrosis which views fine granular substance without structure, And it have completely collapsed. The tissues of tumor side can be seem visible water-like degeneration in group (C, D), however in group (B,E), there is typical balloon-like change and eosinophilic necrosis, small pieces of spot necrosis. It is seem that peripheral vascular tumor thicke and thrombosis in C, D, E group. At the same time some lymphocyte infiltration can be seen in every treatment guoup.Conclusionβ-elemene of local perfusion can effectively treat the rabbit liver cancer. We conclude thatβ-elemene therapeutic effect may not inferior to orthodox lipiodol chemoembolization. In clinical application, for the patients of liver cancer withobvious damage to liver function, unacceptable lipiodol chemoembolization,β-elemene is available options.