Effect of tanshinone IIA on microvessel density and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor of human bladder cancer transplanted tumor in nude mice

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on microvessel density (MVD) and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of human bladder cancer transplanted tumor in nude mice. Methods Thirty-six BALB/c nude mice were collected, and divided into model group, thiotepa group, and tanshinone ⅡA group after bladder cancer xenograft models were established. Four weeks later, the tumor growth, angiogenesis, and expression of apoptosis proteins were observed. Results At 4th week, bladder tumor weight, and wet weight index were significantly higher in tanshinone ⅡA group than in model group and thiotepa group, and the inhibitory rate in tanshinone ⅡA group was significantly higher than that of thiotepa group [(0.62±0.07) g vs. (0.91±0.09) g, (0.68±0.00) mg/g vs. (0.90±0.08) mg/g, and 53.38 vs. 31.58, t=4.243-8.981, P<0.05]. MVD, bFGF and VEGF mRNA expression levels in tanshinone ⅡA group were significantly lower than those in model group, and thiotepa group [(8.45±0.75 vs. 13.06±1.65), (35.52±4.29 vs. 65.14±7.21), and (41.39±4.77 vs. 68.32±7.24)] (t=7.601-15.732, P<0.05). The expression levels of p53, and B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 associated X protein (bax) in tanshinone ⅡA group were significantly higher than those in model group and thiotepa group (1.25±0.26 vs. 0.64±0.07, 0.86±0.12 vs. 0.67±0.08), and those of B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (bcl-2), and Survivin were significantly lower than those in model group and thiotepa group (0.41±0.04 vs. 0.70±0.09, and 0.38±0.04 vs. 0.85±0.09, t=2.821-16.149, P<0.05). Conclusion Tanshinone II A can inhibit the growth of transplanted tumor of human bladder cancer in nude mice, reduce the density of blood vessels and the production of pro-angiogenesis molecules, and induce cell apoptosis. Key words: Bladder cancer; Tanshinone Ⅱ A; Transplanted tumor; Angiogenesis; Apoptosis proteins