Primary observation on the effect of APBMV on tumor weight and general physical condition of hepatoma 22-bearing mice after radiotherapy

Objective: To observe the effect of antineoplastic polypeptide from buthus martensii venom (APBMV) combined with radiotherapy on hepatoma-bearing mouse. Methods: Hundreds H22-bearing mice were used in this experiment. The tumor growth inhibiting rate (IR%), WBC count, hemoglobin content, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), level of lipid peroxide (LPO) and spleens index (SI) were used as the parameters. After radiotherapy (RT) or after administration of different dosage of APBMV combined with RT, the changes of these parameters were observed. Results: On the 6th and 9th day after radiotherapy, the tumor weights decreased after administrating APBMV combined with RT, in which IR were 78.29% and 70.45%, respectively (comparing with RT and APBMV group, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).In RT+APBMV group, WBC count and SI were also higher than those of the RT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 ). The results of measurement of hemoglobin content in peripheral blood indicated that there were no differences (P > 0.05) among all groups. SOD activity was the lowest and LPO level was the highest in RT group (comparing with the control group, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Combining the high dosage of APBMV with RT to treat H22-bearing mice, SOD activity increased and LPO level decreased evidently (comparing with RT group, P < 0.01)and approached the levels of the control group. Conclusion: The inhibiting effect of the combining therapy (APBMV combining with RT)on H22 was stronger than radiation or APBMV alone. APBMV can also antagonize radiation injury on H22-bearing mice