Effect on Apoptosis and Proliferation of Tumor Cells,and Liver Function of Rabbits after TACE Treatment with As_2O_3 and Lipiodol

Objective To investigate the effect on apoptotic index,expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in hepatic tumor tissue and the effect on liver function after TACE with As_2O_3 and Lipiodol.Methods Forty New Zealand white rabbits after implanted VX_2 hepatic tumor 2 weeks were randomly divided into five groups and the treatments were performed via the hepatic artery with differentmethods.The level of AST and ALT in serum was respectively tested at 3 days before treatmeat,4 days and 7 days after treatment.Theapoptosis index and proliferation index in tumor tissue were examined one week after treatment using TUNEL(in situ nick end-labeling) and anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody,respectively.Results The level of AST and ALT increased at 4 days after embolization treatment.7 days after treatment,the level of AST and ALT tended to normal,in ADM treatment group,the AST and ALT level was higher than that in other groups.Apoptosis index(AI)of tumors was 1.53±0.42,1.82±0.41,2.66±0.54,2.91±0.32 and 3.44±0.65,Proliferation index(PI) was 60.8±15.5,55.9±14.8,42.4±11.2,40.6±8.8 and 28.5±5.7 in group A,B,C,D and E,respectively,there was negative correlation between AI and PI.Conclusion The toxicity of As_2O_3 to normal liver tissue is lower than that of ADM.The apoptosis of residual tumor cells is increased and the proliferation is decreased in As_2O_3 treatment group.