Abstract
Reserpine, in small doses, inhibited the growth of three different tumors in mice. It also "synergized" the anti-tumor effect of the two alkylating agents, chlorambucil and thio-TEPA. It decreased oxygen uptake in the intact animal. DL-Triiodothyronine partially antagonized this effect, but failed to reduce the anti-tumor effect.
The anti-tumor effect of reserpine appeared to be associated with diminution of food intake. Likewise, reduction of food intake, either complete or partial, also inhibited tumor growth. Incorporation of labeled amino acids into tumor protein was inhibited in the majority of the experiments in the reserpinized mice as well as in the starved animals. An ester of reserpine (Su 3118), which did not depress the mice or reduce the food intake, failed to inhibit protein synthesis or tumor growth.
The anti-tumor effect of reserpine appears to be mostly nonspecific and to be dependent on depression and reduction of food intake of the host.
Footnotes
- Received July 14, 1960.
- © 1961, by The Williams & Wilkins Company
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