Effect of complex amino acid imbalance on growth of tumor in tumor-bearing rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of complex amino acid imbalance on the growth of tumor in tumor-bearing (TB) rats.METHODS: Sprague-Dawlley (SD) rats underwent jejunostomy for nutritional support. A suspension of Walker256 carcinosarcoma cells was subcutaneously inoculated.TB rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C and D according to the formula of amino acids in enteral nutritional solutions, respectively. TB rats received jejunal feedings supplemented with balanced amino acids (group A),methionine-depleted amino acids (group B), valine-depleted amino acids (group C) and methionine- and valine-depleted complex amino acid imbalance (group D) for 10 days. Tumor volume, inhibitory rates of tumor, cell cycle and life span of TB rats were investigated.RESULTS: The G0/G1 ratio of tumor cells in group D (80.5±9.0) % was higher than that in groups A, B and C which was 67.0±5.1 %, 78.9±8.5 %, 69.2±6.2 %, respectively (P＜0.05). The ratio of S/G2M and PI in group D were lower than those in groups A, B and C. The inhibitory rate of tumor in groups B, C and D was 37.2 %, 33.3 % and 43.9 %,respectively (P＜0.05). The life span of TB rats in group D was significantly longer than that in groups B, C, and A.CONCLUSION: Methionine/valine-depleted amino acid imbalance can inhibit tumor growth. Complex amino acids of methionine and valine depleted imbalance have stronger inhibitory effects on tumor growth.

Relationship between nuclear morphometry,DNA content and resectability of pancreatic cancer

AIM: To investigate the association of nuclear morphometry and DNA content with resectability of pancreatic cancer.METHODS: A total of 36 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were divided into resectable group and unresectable group. The nuclear morphometry and DNA contents of tumor cells were analyzed by IBAS autoimagine analyzer from paraffin-embedded materials. Localization size,histological type and grade, and clinical stage of the tumor were evaluated. Factors influencing resectability of pancreatic cancer were investigated using stepwise regression analysis.RESULTS: Statistical significance was found in nuclear DNA content (integrated optical density, IOD) of tumor cells (1.64±0.41 vs 2.96±0.55), DNA ploidy, ages (46.5±5.3 years vs 58.6±0.7 years) and tumor volumes (298.1±101.5 cm3 vs 634.7±512.5 cm3) in both groups (P＜0.05), and no difference was found in the nuclear morphometry (P＞0.05). The rates of diploid/tetraploid and aneuploid were 66.7 % and 33.3% in resectable group respectively, and 38.9 % and 62.1%in unresectable group, respectively (P＜0.05). IOD (X12), ploidy status (X13) and clinical stage (X3) were radical resectable indicators with statistical significance. The regression equation for resectability was Y=-9.2053+3.5428X12+2.5390X13-2.3001X3(RR=0.8780, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: There is a high correlation between resectability of pancreatic cancers and their DNA contents,DNA ploidy status and clinical stage.