Expansion of endothelial surface by an increase of vessel diameter during tumor angiogenesis in experimental hepatocellular and pancreatic cancer

doi:10.3748/wjg.v10.i21.3171

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World Journal of Gastroenterology

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1007-9327

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Clinical Research

World J Gastroenterol. Nov 1, 2004; 10(21): 3171-3174
Published online Nov 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i21.3171

Expansion of endothelial surface by an increase of vessel diameter during tumor angiogenesis in experimental hepatocellular and pancreatic cancer

Eduard Ryschich, Eduard Schmidt, Sasa-Marcel Maksan, Ernst Klar, Jan Schmidt

Eduard Ryschich, Eduard Schmidt, Sasa-Marcel Maksan, Ernst Klar, Jan Schmidt, Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.

Correspondence to: Jan Schmidt, M.D., Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. jan_schmidt@med.uni-heidelberg.de

Telephone: +49-6221-562890 Fax: +49-6221-565331

Received: August 26, 2003
Revised: January 13, 2004
Accepted: January 20, 2004
Published online: November 1, 2004

Abstract

AIM: A low vessel density is a common feature of malignant tumors. We suggested that the expansion of vessel diameter might reconstitute the oxygen and nutritient’s supply in this situation. The aim of the present study was to compare the number and diameter of blood vessels in pancreatic and liver carcinoma with normal tissue.

METHODS: Tumor induction of pancreatic (DSL6A) or hepatocellular (Morris-hepatoma) carcinoma was performed in male Lewis (pancreatic cancer) and ACI (hepatoma) rats by an orthotopic inoculation of solid tumor fragments (pancreatic cancer) or tumor cells (hepatoma). Six weeks (pancreatic cancer) or 12 d (hepatoma) after tumor implantation, the tumor microvasculature as well as normal pancreatic or liver blood vessels were investigated by intravital microscopy. The number of perfused blood vessels in tumor and healthy tissue was assessed by computer-assisted image analysis.

RESULTS: The vessel density in healthy pancreas (565 ± 89 n/mm²) was significantly higher compared to pancreatic cancer (116 ± 36 n/mm²) (P < 0.001). Healthy liver showed also a significantly higher vessel density (689 ± 36 n/mm²) compared to liver carcinoma (286 ± 32 n/mm²) (P < 0.01). The comparison of diameter frequency showed a significant increase of vessel diameter in both malignant tumors compared to normal tissue (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The expansion of endothelial cells during tumor angiogenesis is accompanied to a large extent by an increase of vessel diameter rather than by formation of new blood vessels. This may be a possible adaptive mechanism by which experimental pancreatic and hepatocellular cancers expand their endothelial diffusion surface of endothelium to compensate for inadequate neoangiogenesis.

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