Ultrastructural and cell surface studies of cancer epidermal cells following reserpine administration in mice

Abstract

Recently, it was postulated that a long-term administration of reserpine as an antihypertensive drug for treatment of millions with mild hypertension increased threefold the incidence of mammary carcinoma in women. However, a considerable controversy ensued over the statistical validity of this study and the role of reserpine in carcinogenesis remains still unsolved. The present study deals with the effects of long-term administration of reserpine on the ultrastructure, cytoarchitecture and cell surface of cancer epidermal cells from squamous cell carcinomas induced by 3-methycholanthrene (MCA) in mice.Young male Swiss mice (COBS) weighing 25 gm were used in these investigations and were divided in four groups: (1) First group was used as controls (2) Mice topically treated with 0.2 ml of 0.3% MCA sol. in acetone, twice a week for 12 months (3) Mice treated with MCA as above and simultaneously injected intramuscularly with 250 μg reserpine (serpasil), twice a week for 12 months and (4) Mice treated only with reserpine as above. Although multiple and large tumors occurred following MCA, only few small tumors were seen following reserpine and MCA treatment.