This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Seay, H. D. Articles by Rosenkrantz, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Seay, H. D. Articles by Rosenkrantz, H.

The Effects of Several Forms of Transplantable Rat Leukemias on the Carbohydrate Metabolism of the Host¹

Department of Biology, Clark University, and the Mason Research Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts

The dependence of transplantable neoplasms on the host's carbohydrate metabolism was explored in rat lymphocytic leukemia, WR-6, myelogenous leukemia, LW-12, and a monocytic type of leukemia, R-3149. Implants were made with tissue slices or leukemic blood. Liver glycogen, plasma glucose, and lactate were followed at several postimplantation intervals. The WR-6 type was studied in more detail in relation to diet, the course of the malignancy, and the presence or absence of a tumor mass. It was found that the WR-6 evoked a severe hypoglycemia with depletion of glycogen stores. Rats bearing the leukemia LW-12 tended to resist a change in blood glucose levels while the short survival time of the R-3149 prevented emergence of carbohydrate derangement. Elevated blood lactate levels pointed to conversion by tumor tissue of the host's glucose in a wasteful process of energy production at the expense of the host's ability to survive.

¹ Supported by Contract SA-43-ph-3761 from the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center, National Cancer Institute, USPHS.

² Mrs. Seay participated in this investigation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts. Present address: North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut.

Received 1/22/65. Revised 6/14/65.