A biometrical approach for determining the effects of treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent upon heart weight in the mature rabbit.

Abstract

Changes in heart weight as attributable to treatments involving a chemotherapeutic agent (CTA) were studied using adult rabbits. CTA was administered to each subject three times a week until sacrifice. Dose level per administration was held constant with respect to mg of CTA per kgm of body weight. The level of treatment for a given animals was then determined by the length of time the animal was in the treatment program prior to sacrifice. At sacrifice, variations in heart weight were evaluated relative to sex, initial body weight, relative change in body weight and level of treatment. Regression techniques were used in the analysis of data. This procedures allowed for differentiation between the direct effects and indirect effects of treatment. The direct effect was shown to cause a significant increment in heart weight. The indirect effect as related to loss body weight was shown to lead to a significant decrement in heart weight.