Studies on the inhibitory effects of glyceryl trinitrate on murine transplanted S180 tumors

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of nitroglycerin （GTN） on murine transplanted tumors. Methods: Kunming mice with sarcoma 180 cells transplanted into armpit subcutaneously had been used as experimental models and the treatment group were administrated with 0.32mg and 0.16mg of GTN through stomach respectively and the control group was treated by saline. After ten days treatment, the animals was executed and the animal weight, tumor weight, spleen weight and the tumor inhibitory rate had been researched. The blood GSH, WBC and other biochemical parameters were measured. Results: The 40% tumor growth inhibition and GSH depletion had been found. Serum Glu and AST level increased, whereas serum urea concentration decreased. There are no obvious changes of WBC and serum ALT. Conclusion: GTN could both inhibit tumor growth and improve the metabolism of the animal significantly. The mechanism might be related with the GSH oxidation and NO released by GTN.