Heated lipiodol as an embolization agent for transhepatic arterial embolization in VX2 rabbit liver cancer model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of heated (60 degrees C) lipiodol via hepatic artery administration in a rabbit model of VX2 liver cancer.


METHODS
Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rabbits assigned to each group. VX2 carcinoma cells were surgically implanted into the left hepatic lobe. The tumors were allowed to grow for 2 weeks, and studies were performed until the diameter of the tumors detected by ultrasonograph reached 2-3cm. Under anesthesia, trans-catheter hepatic arterial embolization was performed and doxorubicin-lipiodol (37 degrees C) (1mL), lipiodol (60 degrees C) (1mL) or control (physiological saline (37 degrees C) (1mL)) solution was injected into the hepatic arteries of animals in the three groups. One week later, the volume of the tumor was measured by ultrasonograph again. The serum of all rabbits was collected before injection and at 4 and 7 days after injection, and the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was checked. The survival period of the three groups of rabbits after treatment was also recorded. During the last course of their disease, the rabbits were given analgesics to relieve suffering.


RESULTS
The tumor growth rate in the lipiodol (60 degrees C) group (0.92+/-0.21, tumor volume from 1811+/-435 to 1670+/-564mm(3)) was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.48+/-1.17, tumor volume from 1808+/-756 to 5747+/-1341mm(3)) (P<0.05) and in the doxorubicin-lipiodol (37 degrees C) group (1.69+/-0.26, tumor volume from 1881+/-641 to 2428+/-752mm(3)) (P<0.05). Consequently, the survival period of the animals in the lipiodol (60 degrees C) group (41.0+/-3.0 days) was significantly greater than that in the doxorubicin-lipiodol (37 degrees C) group (38.0+/-2.5 days) (P<0.05). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference in serum AST levels between the lipiodol (60 degrees C) group (148.2+/-11.3UL(-1)) and the doxorubicin-lipiodol (37 degrees C) group (139.7+/-12.3UL(-1)) (P>0.05). However, the serum AST level in the lipiodol (60 degrees C) group was significantly higher at 4 days after injection (P<0.05) than in the control group (68.6+/-6.6UL(-1)).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with lipiodol (60 degrees C) resulted in an effect on serum AST levels similar to that caused by treatment with doxorubicin-lipiodol (37 degrees C). Thus, lipiodol (60 degrees C) treatment could greatly prolong the survival period of rabbits with VX2 cancer by inhibiting tumor growth.
Cao
Wei
W
Department of Interventional Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, No.1 Xinshi Road, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710038, China. zjfurong2008@126.com
Wan
Yi
Y
Liang
Zhi-Hui
ZH
Duan
Yun-You
YY
Liu
Xi
X
Wang
Zhi-Min
ZM
Liu
Yi-Yong
YY
Zhu
Jia
J
Liu
Xiong-Tao
XT
Zhang
Hong-Xin
HX
D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D006490:Hemostatics; D007459:Iodized Oil