[Changes and significance of peripheral blood count in tumor rejection induced by a low dose of melphalan in C57BL/6 mice].

AIM: To investigate the relationship between changes of peripheral blood counts and tumor rejection induced by a low dose of melphalan in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Mouse lymphoma EL4 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into wild type C57BL/6 mice. Twelve days later, 7.5 mg/kg melphalan were administered intraperitoneally and the same volume of Normal Saline as control. Tumor sizes were observed and recorded subsequently. Blood samples were obtained from orbital venous sinus on different days before and after melphalan treatment, and then complete blood counts were performed and the relationship between the alterations of blood counts and tumor shrinkage after melphalan treatment was analyzed. RESULTS: Tumor sizes decreased and tumors disappeared after 7.5 mg/kg melphalan treatment; while tumors grow continuously in control mice. The number of WBC was increased a little (10.6 + or - 2.3) x 10(9)/L 6 h after melphalan treatment, but there was no significant difference with mice before melphalan injection (9.8 + or - 0.32) x 10(9)/L (P>0.05); The number of WBC decreased significantly at 4(th) day after melphalan treatment (P<0.01); Later it increased a little, but at 28(th); day after melphalan it still obviously lower than that of the normal (P<0.01). Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration decreased from (132 + or - 7) g/L before melphalan treatment to (110 + or - 14) g/L at 6 h after melphalan treatment (P<0.05). Later, the amount of Hb was decreasing and at 7th day it got to its lowest point (96 + or - 5) g/L. It increased gradually back to normal in 2 weeks after melphalan treatment. The platelet count increased to (1502 + or - 142) x 10(9)/L 6 h after melphalan treatment, significantly higher that that (914 + or - 322) x 10(9)/L before melphalan injection (P<0.01). It maintained at a high level for one week and it recovered back to normal level at 28(th) day after melphalan treatment. CONCLUSION: Tumor shrinkage after melphalan treatment was not related to the decreased number of WBC or RBC, but correlated with the increased number of platelet in 10 days after melphalan treatment.

[Relationships between tumor shrinkage and peripheral blood cell changes during tumor-rejection induced by a high dose of 5-FU in C57BL/6 mice].

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the alterations of complete blood counts and tumor shrinkage during tumor rejection induced by a high dose of 5-FU in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Wild type C57BL/6 tumor-bearing mice were treated with different doses of 5-FU intraperitoneally. 75 mg/kg 5-FU was the minimal effective dose of 5-FU that could cure the tumor-bearing mice. Then another 6 tumor-bearing mice were treated intraperitoneally with 5-FU (75 mg/kg). Blood samples were obtained from orbital venous sinus on different days before and after 5-FU treatment, and then complete blood counts were performed and the relationship between the alterations of blood counts and tumor shrinkage after 5-FU treatment was analyzed. RESULTS: Tumor sizes decreased steadily and tumors disappeared within the first week after 5-FU treatment; and at the same time 75 mg/kg 5-FU also had side effects on peripherial blood cells. The number of WBC significantly decreased from the first day after 5-FU treatment (P<0.001). But during the 7 th to 15 th day the number of WBC rebounced back to normal level (P>0.05). Later it decreased again and it couldn't recover back to normal level at the 28th day after 5-FU treatment (P<0.01). The concentration of Hb decreased at the first day and lasted for 2 weeks (P<0.01). It increased gradually back to normal in 2 weeks after 5-FU treatment. The inhibitory effect of 5-FU on platelets count was not obvious. The platelet count increased significantly at the first and at the 11th day after 5-FU treatment respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Tumor shrinkage after 5-FU treatment is not related to the decreased number of WBC or RBC, but correlated with the increased number of platelet at the first day after 5-FU treatment.