Cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat mammary cancer after electrochemical treatment (EChT).
BACKGROUND
Several authors have recently reported encouraging results from Electrochemical treatment (EChT) in malignant tumours. However, EChT is not established and mechanisms are not completely understood. In vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the toxic changes and effectiveness of EChT on an animal tumour model.


METHODS
Tumours were induced by injecting cells from the R3230AC rat mammary tumour cell line clone D subcutaneously, in 28 female Fischer 344 rats. EChT was conducted by inserting a platinum electrode into the tumours. The positive and negative control groups were subjected to the same conditions but without current. The rats were kept for 0, 7 or 14 days post-treatment. Three hours prior to euthanasia an i.p. injection of Bromodioxyuridine (BrdU) was given. The rats were euthanized, the lesions extirpated and samples were collected for histopathological, and immunohistochemical examination.


RESULTS
Significant changes in cell proliferation rate were seen both in the cathode and anode regions. Apoptosis were induced in the anodic treated area outside the primary necrosis, detected with the TUNEL method.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that secondary cell destruction was caused by necrosis with cathodic EChT and apoptosis or necrosis with anodic EChT.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7037, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. henrik.von.euler@kirmed.slu.se
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H
von Euler
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Stråhle
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Thörne
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Yongqing
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009336:Necrosis; D010984:Platinum; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D010984:Platinum; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine