Combined transarterial chemoembolization and arterial administration of Bletilla striata in the interventional treatment of liver tumor in rats

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effect of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and arterial administration of Bletilla striata versus TACE alone for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in ACI rats. Methods: Subcapsular implantation of a solid Morris Hepatom 3924A (2 mm3) in the liver was carried out in 30 ACI rats. Tumor volume (V1) was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at day 13 after implantation. The following different agents were injected after retrograde catheterization via gastroduodenal artery (day 14) , namely: (A) TACE + 0.1 mg Mitomycin + 0.1 ml Lipiodol +Bletilla striata (1.0 mg) (n=10), (B) TACE +Bletilla striata (1.0 mg) + ligation of hepatic artery (n=10), and (C) TACE alone (control group, n=10). Tumor volume (V2) was assessed by MRI again (day 13 after treatment) and the tumor growth ratio (V2/V1) was calculated. Results: The mean ratio (V2/V1) was 6.28 in group A, 1.53 in group B, and 9.14 in group C, respectively. Compared with the control group (group C), group A and B showed significant inhibition of tumor growth (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). There was a very significant difference of tumor growth rate between group A and B (P<0.01 ). Conclusion: The combination of TACE and arterial administration of Bletilla striata plus ligation of hepatic artery can prevent the tumor growth significantly in the treatment of HCC in rats. (authors)