Inhibiting effect of laminarin sulfate in hamster model of liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer

Objective To investigate the inhibiting effect of laminarin sulfate (LS) in hamster model of liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer and explore its mechanism. Methods After the hamster model of liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer was established, LS of 3 different dosages was given to animals in 3 experimental groups and sodium laminarin and normal saline were given to the animals in the 2 control groups, respectively. The specimens of metastatic cancer were collected for determination of tumor weight, microvessel density (MVD), the site of metastasis and inhibiting rate. Results The mean tumor weight was 3.164±0.577, 3.15±0.911 and 2.905±1.043 g, the mean number of metastatic sites was 1.43±0.76, 1.438±0.727 and 1.368±0.648, the MVD was 26.143±4.43, 21.188±6.327 and 18.474±4.903 in the 3 experimental groups, respectively. The mean tumor weight was 4.867±0.868 and 5.147±0.94 g, mean number of metastatic sites was 2.167±1.030 and 1.89±0.9 and the mean MVD was 37.583±7.077 and 34.29±7.087 in the 2 control groups, respectively. Meanwhile, the inhibiting rate of tumor grow was 35%, 35.5% and 40.5%, respectively, in the 3 experimental groups. There were significant differences in these parameters between the experimental groups and the control groups (P0.01). The inhibiting rate was enhanced with increase in the dosage of LS. Conclusions LS can significantly inhibit growth, metastasis and angiogenesis of pancreatic cancer.