effect of synthetically prepared mixed-metal polymer on experimentally induced tumour in the skeletal muscles and liver of adult female albino mice: histological and ultrastructural studies

ABSTRACT

Metals have played an important role in medicine for years. One of the main objectives of many studies is to develop new metal compounds with an anticancer activity. The present work was designed to study the effect of new conjugated polymer as an antitumour agent against experimentally induced Ehrlich tumour. Thirty nine adult female albino mice were used and divided into 3 groups, the first one was the control group of liver, the second was the mice bearing Ehrlich tumour and the third was inoculated with the Ehrlich tumour and was treated with tested compound. The specimens from liver and tumour were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Moreover, statistical analysis was used for evaluation of tumour volume in different groups. Light microscopic examination revealed multiple nodules with hyperchromatic nuclei of different shapes and sizes scattered through out the muscle in untreated mice. The muscle tissue appeared as structurless acidophilic necrotic masses. In treated group, regression of size of nodules occurred with necrosis of muscle and cellular debris. The liver of untreated animals revealed hyperchromatic nuclei of different shape and size around central vein and portal venule. The liver of treated animals showed reduction of cellular infiltration with necrosis of hepatocytes. Ultrastructural study of untreated tumour cells revealed nuclear pleomorphism with hyperchromatic change, some nuclei showed necrotic change. After treatment, the tumour cells showed apoptotic change. Ultrastructural study of liver cells affected by tumour showed vacuolation of cytoplasm and abnormal mitochondria. The treated liver cells were highly vacuolated with dilated bile canaliculs. The fluorescence microscope revealed an increase in apoptotic tumour cells in treated group compared with untreated one. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in tumour volume in treated group compared with untreated one. The tested compound showed antitumour activity against Ehrlich tumour