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R W Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to R W Alexander.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Angiotensin II stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Secondary signalling mechanisms.

Activation of vascular smooth muscle by angiotensin II results in the phospholipase C-mediated generation of two second messengers, inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DG). IP3 is responsible for mobilizing calcium from endoplasmic reticulum whereas DG activates protein kinase C and ultimately Na+/H+ exchange, leading to intracellular alkalinization. The IP3/calcium signal is transient, most likely serving to initiate calcium-mediated events leading to contraction, and is attenuated by activation of protein kinase C. DG formation/protein kinase C activation is sustained and may be enhanced by the concurrent intracellular alkalinization. The delay in induction of the sustained response appears to be related to cellular processing of the angiotensin II-receptor complex. Phospholipase C activity is also modulated by a cholera toxin-sensitive, pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. This guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, movement of the receptor-ligand complex, and the signals generated by the two second messengers, IP3 and DG, interact in a complex manner to cause an integrated response of vascular smooth muscle to angiotensin II stimulation.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1989

The effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and alpha-difluoromethylornithine on the growth of pancreatic cancer in vivo.

The glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), inhibits growth of some cancers. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. We and others have previously shown that DFMO inhibits cancer growth in a number of models. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of 2-DG alone and combined with DFMO on the growth of H2T hamster pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Twenty-eight male Syrian golden hamsters were inoculated with 500,000 H2T cells, and then randomized into four groups of seven each: group 1 served as control; group 2 received DFMO (3% in drinking water); group 3 received 2-DG (500 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally; group 4 received a combination of 2-DG and DFMO. Treatment began 5 days after tumor cell inoculation and continued for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, the area of the H2T tumor was reduced 31% by DFMO compared with a 22% reduction caused by 2-DG. Tumor weight was significantly reduced (31%) by DFMO but not by 2-DG. Tumor contents of DNA, RNA, and protein were also reduced by DFMO but not 2-DG. Tumor concentration of the polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, were reduced by DFMO, but 2-DG did not alter levels of polyamines. The combination of DFMO and 2-DG caused a significantly greater reduction in tumor weight and putrescine content compared with DFMO alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Atherosclerosis impairs flow-mediated dilation of coronary arteries in humans.

Studies in animals have suggested that increases in blood flow result in dilation of large arteries by an endothelium-dependent mechanism. Atherosclerosis can impair endothelium-dependent vasodilation to vasoactive agents. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not large coronary arteries in humans exhibit dilation with increases in blood flow and to test the hypothesis that this response is impaired in the presence of atherosclerosis. Graded concentrations of adenosine were infused into the distal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery to test the dilator response of the proximal LAD to increases in blood flow. The proximal LAD was thereby exposed to changes in blood flow, but not directly to adenosine. Ten patients with angiographically smooth proximal LAD segments (group 1) and seven patients with irregularities in the proximal LAD consistent with mild atherosclerosis (group 2) were studied. Infusions of adenosine throughout the range of 0.022 to 2.2 mg/min into the LAD produced a dose-dependent increase in estimated coronary blood flow and a mean increase of 305 +/- 27% at 2.2 mg/min adenosine. At 2.2 mg/min adenosine, a striking difference (p less than 0.001) occurred between the significant flow-mediated dilation of the proximal LAD observed in group 1 (+13.2 +/- 1.3% from 2.63 +/- 0.16 mm, p less than 0.001), and the lack of dilation in group 2 (+1.8 +/- 1.5% from 3.20 +/- 0.17 mm, p = NS), despite a greater increase in coronary blood flow in group 2 (+387 +/- 29%) than in group 1 (+230 +/- 36%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine↗
PubMed1989

Spontaneously hypertensive rat vascular smooth muscle cells in culture exhibit increased growth and Na+/H+ exchange.

The cellular mechanisms responsible for abnormalities in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and vasoreactivity are not defined. Because Na+/H+ exchange, which we have previously demonstrated in cultured VSMC, plays an essential role in mediating growth factor responses, we hypothesized that abnormalities in SHR growth regulation might be reflected in the activity of this transporter. To test this hypothesis, we studied DNA synthesis and Na+/H+ exchange (measured as the rate of amiloride-sensitive intracellular alkalinization or Na+ influx) in early subcultures (less than 6) of aortic VSMC from 12-wk-old SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) animals. Serum-deprived SHR VSMC grew more rapidly in response to 10% serum with an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation of 439% compared with 191% in WKY controls. Basal intracellular pH (pHi) values determined by fluorescent pH measurements were 7.37 +/- 0.04 and 7.27 +/- 0.03 (P less than 0.05) in early passage SHR and WKY, respectively. Acid recovery (initial pHi = 6.8) by SHR VSMC was faster than by WKY VSMC as measured by alkalinization (1.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.2 mmol H+/liter.min, P less than 0.05) or by amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx (14.5 +/- 1.2 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.5 nmol Na+/mg protein.min, P less than 0.05). In comparison to WKY cells early passage SHR VSMC exhibited 2.5-fold greater alkalinization and amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx in response to 100 nM angiotensin II. During serial passage, WKY cells acquired enhanced Na+/H+ exchange and growth rates so that by passage 6, these differences were no longer present. These findings in early cultures of SHR VSMC, removed from the in vivo neurohumoral milieu, suggest that increased Na+/H+ exchange in SHR may reflect alterations in Na+ homeostasis that might contribute to altered SHR VSMC function such as enhanced growth and vasoreactivity.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1989

Atherosclerosis influences the vasomotor response of epicardial coronary arteries to exercise.

We studied the vasomotion of epicardial coronary arteries during exercise and tested the hypotheses that abnormal vasoconstriction is related to the presence of atherosclerosis and may be related to endothelial dilator dysfunction. During cardiac catheterization quantitative coronary angiography was performed in 21 patients during supine bicycle exercise. 21 of 28 smooth, angiographically normal vessel segments dilated (14.0 +/- 1.8%) during exercise; four smooth segments did not change whereas only three constricted. In contrast, 15 of 16 vessel segments with irregularities constricted in response to exercise (17.0 +/- 0.1%) with only one segment dilating. All 10 stenotic segments constricted to exercise (23 +/- 4%). Six patients also received intracoronary acetylcholine before exercise to test endothelium-dependent dilator function. In five of six patients all nine vessel segments showed the same directional response to acetylcholine and exercise. Three irregular and two stenotic segments constricted with acetylcholine (51 +/- 21%) and exercise (9.0 +/- 0.6%). In contrast, four smooth segments dilated to acetylcholine (19 +/- 6%) and exercise (9 +/- 1%). Both exercise and acetylcholine generally dilated smooth but constricted irregular and stenosed coronary segments. It appears likely that atherosclerosis plays an important role in the abnormal vasomotion of diseased coronary arteries during exercise and the pattern of abnormality suggests impairment of vasodilator function.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1989

Angiotensin II stimulation of vascular smooth muscle.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation of vascular smooth muscle results in a myriad of intracellular signals that interact to produce the final physiologic response of the cell. One of the earliest documented events following incubation of these cells with Ang II is the rapid, phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate to yield two second messengers, inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. Inositol trisphosphate releases calcium from nonmitochondrial intracellular storage sites, while diacylglycerol activates protein kinase C. Ang II also stimulates calcium influx and increases calcium efflux for the duration of the stimulus, as well as causing a biphasic change in intracellular pH. The delayed alkalinization is a consequence of enhanced Na+/H+ exchange. These signals then interact to modify the targets of phospholipase C, and result in phosphorylation of numerous cytoplasmic and cytoskeletal proteins. Thus, the signaling events induced by Ang II are complex, and dynamically interact to produce a constantly changing response for the duration of the stimulus.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1988

Angiotensin II stimulates vimentin phosphorylation via a Ca2+-dependent, protein kinase C-independent mechanism in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Intermediate filaments have been proposed, via phosphorylation by protein kinase C, to be involved in sustained contraction of smooth muscle. We examined the effect of angiotensin II on the phosphorylation of the intermediate filament protein, vimentin, in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Angiotensin II induced phosphorylation of a Triton X-100- and high salt-insoluble protein with a molecular weight of 58,000. This protein was identified as vimentin based on its specific interaction with anti-vimentin antibody as detected by immunoblot analysis. Angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation of vimentin was time- and dose-dependent. Phosphorylation was detectable at 15 s, peaked at 2 min after angiotensin II stimulation, and gradually declined to a new plateau which was sustained for at least 30 min. The threshold, half-maximal and maximal concentrations of angiotensin II that stimulated vimentin phosphorylation were 0.01, 0.1, and 10 nM, respectively. The Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, stimulated vimentin phosphorylation to the same extent as angiotensin II, whereas the protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, had only marginal effects on this reaction. Pretreatment of the cells with [ethylene-bis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid attenuated angiotensin II- and ionomycin-induced vimentin phosphorylation to the same extent. Down-regulation of protein kinase C induced by prolonged treatment of the cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate did not inhibit angiotensin II-induced vimentin phosphorylation. These results indicate that angiotensin II stimulates vimentin phosphorylation via a Ca2+-dependent, protein kinase C-independent mechanism in vascular smooth muscle cells and suggest that cytoskeletal proteins are major targets for angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation events.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1988

Frequency of hypercholesterolemia after cardiac transplantation.

Cardiac transplant patients are prone to accelerated coronary atherosclerosis. The mechanism by which this process occurs is not yet known, although immunologically mediated arterial injury is thought to play a primary role in its pathogenesis. Despite immunosuppressive potency, patients treated with cyclosporin A remain at significant risk for the development of accelerated atherosclerosis. It is hypothesized that cyclosporin A's hepatotoxic effects might contribute to the atherosclerotic process by impairing low density lipoprotein hepatic clearance in transplant patients, which would be reflected in a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile. To test this hypothesis, serum cholesterol levels were analyzed after transplantation. Significant and progressive increases in total cholesterol and in the total-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were found. This atherogenic lipoprotein profile may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis in cardiac transplant patients treated with cyclosporin A.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Evidence that Na+/H+ exchange regulates angiotensin II-stimulated diacylglycerol accumulation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cells results in initial, rapid diacylglycerol (DG) formation from the polyphosphoinositides accompanied by intracellular acidification, as well as a more sustained DG accumulation which is accompanied by a prolonged intracellular alkalinization. To determine whether intracellular pH (pHi) modulates DG accumulation, NH4Cl and potassium acetate were used to alter pHi and DG formation was measured. NH4Cl (10 mM) increased pHi from 7.15 +/- 0.05 to 7.34 +/- 0.02 pH units and markedly enhanced the sustained (5 min), but not the initial (15 s), phase of DG formation in response to 100 nM angiotensin II (65 +/- 13% increase). Conversely, intracellular acidification with Na+-free buffer and potassium acetate (20 mM) decreased pHi to 6.93 +/- 0.08 and reduced subsequent angiotensin II-induced sustained DG formation by 82 +/- 9%. In intact cells, inhibition of angiotensin II-stimulated alkalinization by incubation in Na+-free buffer or by addition of the Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor dimethylamiloride (10 microM) decreased the ability of the cell to sustain DG formation, suggesting that active Na+/H+ exchange is necessary for continued DG formation. Thus, it seems that sustained, angiotensin II-induced diacylglycerol accumulation is regulated by intracellular alkalinization secondary to Na+/H+ exchange in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Ammonium Chloride↗
PubMed1988

Proliferative disease and atypia in biopsies performed for nonpalpable lesions detected mammographically.

A recent study of risk factors for breast cancer indicated elevated risks of 5.3 and 1.9 times, respectively, for women with biopsy specimens showing atypical hyperplasia (AH) and proliferative disease without atypia. These risks increase to 11 and 3.2 times, respectively, in women who also have a family history of breast cancer. This study reviews lesions detected mammographically in a series of patients with documented risk factors. The pathologic specimens of 100 consecutive localization breast biopsies performed for nonpalpable abnormalities detected mammographically were reviewed and classified according to the criteria of Dupont and Page in order to determine the incidence of AH and proliferative breast disease. The mammographic characteristics and historical risk factors of these women also were correlated. Twenty percent of the biopsy specimens showed carcinomas, 55% of which were noninvasive. AH was found in an additional 10% of the biopsy specimens, whereas proliferative disease without atypia occurred in 21% of the biopsy specimens. Forty-nine percent of the biopsy specimens showed nonproliferative changes. This study demonstrated that mammography, in addition to its ability to detect small nonpalpable cancers, identifies a high percentage (31% in this series) of women with pathologic lesions known to have an elevated risk for subsequent breast cancer. The current impetus for large-scale mammographic screening of asymptomatic women mandates the development of rational therapeutic protocols to accommodate the widening spectrum of high-risk pathologic lesions found in these selected populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effects of bombesin on growth of human small cell lung carcinoma in vivo.

Bombesin-like peptides are found in many different human tumors and are thought to function as an autocrine growth factor for small cell lung cancer in humans. In this study, a human small cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H69) was s.c. implanted bilaterally into the flanks of 12 nude mice. The mice were randomized and divided into two groups and given either bombesin (20 micrograms/kg) or saline i.p. 3 times a day. Tumor areas were measured twice weekly for 6 wk. At sacrifice, the tumors and normal pancreas were excised, weighed, and assayed for DNA, RNA, and protein content. Significant stimulation of tumor growth was observed at weeks 4, 5, and 6. Tumor weight at sacrifice was significantly elevated (77%) above the control, as was DNA content (78%). Bombesin significantly increased the weight (42%), DNA (48%), and protein (61%) contents of the normal mouse pancreas. We conclude that bombesin may act as an autocrine growth factor, or indirectly through the release of other growth factors, on human small cell lung carcinoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine inhibits polyamine biosynthesis and liver regeneration.

Polyamines are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Trifluoperazine (TFP) is a potent, competitive inhibitor of the calcium-calmodulin complex. TFP, when given to rats after partial hepatectomy, causes a significant decrease in DNA synthesis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of TFP on polyamine biosynthesis and on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. TFP (60 mg/kg, bodyweight) or saline control was administered to 80 male Sprague-Dawley rats 2 h before, 2 h after, or at the time of hepatectomy. Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) were measured at the time of hepatectomy, and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after hepatectomy. TFP, when it was administered either 2 h before or at time of hepatectomy, blocked increases in putrescine that are seen normally at 6 h after hepatectomy. When TFP was given at the time of partial hepatectomy, putrescine was increased at 24 h, and then returned to normal levels at 72 h. Spermidine was inhibited at 24 h, but not at 48 and 72 h. Spermine was not significantly altered at any time. The administration of TFP 2 h after hepatectomy did not significantly alter concentrations of polyamines. The weight of regenerating liver was decreased by TFP at 48 h (23 per cent) and 72 h (22 per cent) after hepatectomy. These findings provide evidence that the calcium-calmodulin complex is required for the synthesis of liver polyamines before liver regeneration can proceed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effects of glucocorticoids on Na+/H+ exchange and growth in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

We have examined the effects of hydrocortisone on growth and Na+/H+ exchange in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Hydrocortisone (2 microM) treatment of growth-arrested VSMC significantly decreased VSMC growth in response to 10% calf serum assayed by 3H-thymidine incorporation and cell number at confluence. This effect was associated with the appearance of an altered cell phenotype characterized by large, flat VSMC that did not form typical "hillocks." Na+/H+ exchange was also altered in hydrocortisone-treated cells assayed by dimethylamiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx into acid-loaded cells or by intracellular pH (pHi) change using the fluorescent dye BCECF. Resting pHi was 7.25 +/- 0.04 and 7.15 +/- 0.05 in control and hydrocortisone-treated cells, respectively (0.1 less than P less than 0.05). Following intracellular acidification in the absence of external Na+, pHi recovery upon addition of Na+ was increased 89% in hydrocortisone-treated cells relative to control. This was due to an increase in the Vmax for the Na+/H+ exchanger from 17.5 +/- 2.4 to 25.9 +/- 2.0 nmol Na+/mg protein x min (P less than 0.01) without a significant change in Km. Treatment of VSMC with actinomycin D (1 microgram/ml) or cycloheximide (10 microM) completely inhibited the hydrocortisone-mediated increase in Na+/H+ exchange, indicating a requirement for both RNA and protein synthesis. Because hydrocortisone altered the Vmax for Na+/H+ exchange, in contrast to agonists such as serum or angiotensin II which alter the Km for intracellular H+ or extracellular Na+, respectively, we studied the effect of hydrocortisone on activation of Na+/H+ exchange by these agonists. In cells maintained at physiological pHi (7.2), the initial rate (2 min) of angiotensin II-stimulated alkalinization was increased 66 +/- 39% in hydrocortisone-treated compared with control cells. Hydrocortisone caused no change in angiotensin II-stimulated phospholipase C activity assayed by measurement of changes in intracellular Ca2+ or diacylglycerol formation. However, angiotensin II and serum stimulated only small increases in Na+/H+ exchange in acid-loaded (pHi = 6.8) hydrocortisone-treated cells. These findings suggest that hydrocortisone-mediated increases in VSMC Na+/H+ exchange occur in association with a nonproliferating phenotype that has altered regulation of Na+/H+ exchange activation. We propose that hydrocortisone-mediated growth inhibition may be a useful model for studying the role of Na+/H+ exchange in cell growth responsiveness.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1988

Regulation of the release of cholecystokinin by bile salts in dogs and humans.

The objective of these studies was to investigate the role of bile salts in the regulation of release of cholecystokinin in response to nutrients in dogs and humans. In dogs, the intraduodenal administration of a bile salt sequestrant, cholestyramine (2, 4, or 8 g/h), resulted in a dose-related enhancement of the release of cholecystokinin-33/39 and pancreatic protein secretion in response to intraduodenal administration of amino acids. Intraduodenal administration of cholestyramine alone did not affect basal levels of cholecystokinin-33/39 or pancreatic protein secretion. Total diversion of bile also significantly increased the release of cholecystokinin and pancreatic protein secretion in response to intraduodenal administration of amino acids. Replacement of the bile salt pool by intraduodenal administration of taurocholate completely reversed the enhancement effect of both cholestyramine and bile diversion. In humans, oral ingestion of cholestyramine (12 g) significantly increased the release of cholecystokinin-33/39 and gallbladder contraction in response to the oral ingestion of either a triglyceride or amino acids. These results support a physiologic role of bile salts in the negative feedback regulation of release of cholecystokinin in response to luminal nutrients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Inhibition of growth of two human pancreatic adenocarcinomas in vivo by somatostatin analog SMS 201-995.

Somatostatin inhibits hormone secretion from gastrointestinal endocrine tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether SMS 201-995, a long-acting analog, would inhibit the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Two human pancreatic cancers grown in nude mice were studied: SKI, which has cholecystokinin receptors, and CAV, which does not. Tumors were implanted in groups of six mice each. Treatment groups received SMS 201-995 (100 micrograms/kg three times daily) by intraperitoneal injections and control animals received saline solution. Tumor area was measured twice weekly. After 7 weeks, the tumors and mouse pancreases were excised, weighed, and analyzed for protein and RNA and DNA content. In a second set of experiments, treatment was begun 21 days after transplantation. Mean body weights between groups were not different in any experiment. With treatment beginning on the day of transplantation, the tumor areas of SKI and CAV cancers were reduced by the third and fifth weeks of treatment, respectively. Tumor doubling times were prolonged with treatment in both SKI tumors (5 days) and CAV tumors (6 days). In the SKI treatment groups, tumor weight (52 percent), RNA content (72 percent), and DNA content (60 percent) were decreased at sacrifice compared with those of the control groups. In the CAV treatment group, the mean tumor weight (55 percent) and protein (48 percent), RNA (67 percent) and DNA contents (60 percent) were decreased compared with the CAV control group. Tumor growth of SKI and CAV cancers was also inhibited when treatment was delayed 21 days after transplantation. We conclude that these effects are not mediated by inhibition of cholecystokinin, as seen by similar inhibitory effects on both tumors. Treatment with SMS 201-995 may be an effective hormonal therapy in patients with pancreatic cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Bombesin inhibits growth of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma in nude mice.

Bombesin, a 14-amino acid peptide, exhibits direct and indirect effects on the gastrointestinal tract, including release of hormones, stimulation of pancreatic, gastric, and intestinal secretion and intestinal motility. Cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin, two of the hormones released by bombesin, have been shown to play a role in maintaining the growth of normal gastrointestinal mucosa as well as in eliciting trophic responses in normal and neoplastic tissue. We studied the effects of chronic bombesin treatment on the growth of a human ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma (SKI) xenografted into nude mice, and on the growth of the normal nude mouse pancreas. Thirteen nude mice were implanted with SKI tumor and divided into two groups. Mice received 0.1 ml intraperitoneal injections of either bombesin (20 micrograms/kg) or the vehicle alone three times per day. Tumor areas were measured twice weekly until death (week 8), at which time the tumors and the host pancreas were excised, weighed, and assayed for protein, RNA, and DNA content. Significant inhibition of tumor growth was found in the bombesin-treated group at weeks 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Tumor area and weight at death (day 57) were significantly less in the bombesin-treated group (48 and 46%) as compared with control. We observed similar inhibition of tumor DNA (39%), RNA (38%), and protein (43%) content compared with controls. In contrast, bombesin significantly increased the weight (64%), protein (81%), and DNA (73%) content of the mouse pancreas compared with controls. We conclude that bombesin acts concurrently as both a trophic agent for normal host pancreas and a growth inhibitory agent in xenografted pancreatic cancer tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibits the growth of hamster pancreatic cancer but not human pancreatic cancer in vivo.

We have previously shown that hamster H2T pancreatic ductal cancer has a receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) which is not present on a cell line of human pancreatic ductal cancer (MIA). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of chronic administration of VIP on the growth of both H2T hamster pancreatic carcinoma and MIA human pancreatic carcinoma in vivo. The growth of H2T was studied in hamsters; a control group of six hamsters received 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in saline, and two treatment groups of six hamsters each received VIP (1 and 10 nmol/kg), all administered three times a day by i.p. injection for 35 days. Both doses of VIP inhibited the growth of H2T tumor (tumor area, weight, DNA, RNA, and protein content). The growth of MIA was studied in athymic Balb/c mice, one group of 10 received 0.1% BSA and the other 10 received VIP (1 nmol/kg), both three times a day by i.p. injection for 3 months. There was no difference in tumor growth rate between the two groups. Treatment with VIP did not have any effect on body weight or size of the normal pancreas in either the hamsters or the mice. We conclude that the differential response of hamster and human pancreatic cancer to VIP treatment may be due to the presence or absence of VIP receptors.

Adenocarcinoma↗