Blood flow modification in the SCCVII tumor: effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine, hydralazine, and propranolol.

The effects of hydralazine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and propranolol on blood flow in the SCCVII tumor were assessed using laser Doppler flowmetry. Both hydralazine and 5-HT, at doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg, reduced blood flow, as did propranolol at 10 mg/kg. Hydralazine and 5-HT at doses of 0.25 mg/kg slightly increased tumor blood flow, and a 10-20% increase in blood flow was also observed after 1 mg/kg of propranolol. However, propranolol at 1 mg/kg enhanced the blood flow reduction observed with 1 mg/kg of hydralazine. The concomitant administration of hydralazine and propranolol at these doses also translated into increased potentiation of the tumor cytotoxicity of the hypoxic cell cytotoxin RSU-1069.