Angiogenesis in the adipose tissue of tumor-bearing rabbits treated by cyclic plasma perfusion.

The mechanisms of cancer cachexia have not been elucidated. We previously reported that cyclic plasma perfusion using non-coated charcoal was effective in cancer cachexia. In the present study we investigated the angiogenic effect of cyclic plasma perfusion on adipose tissue. Twenty rabbits were divided into two groups, i.e., tumor-bearing rabbits subjected to cyclic plasma perfusion (n=10, PP group), and tumor-bearing rabbits subjected to sham-perfusion (n=10, SP group). The changes in body weight, total body fat, and expression of angiogenic factors were investigated. Loss of body weight and total body fat was significantly suppressed in the PP group. Apoptosis of adipocytes was seen in both groups only in the early stage of tumor bearing. Lipolytic activity in the PP group showed a lower ratio than that in the SP group. In the PP group, increased microvessel density and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) were seen at 40 days after transplantation. Similar findings were not seen in the SP group. These results suggest that cyclic plasma perfusion not only decreased lipolytic activity but induced angiogenesis in the adipose tissue.