Effect of dopamine on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.

Morphological studies showed that daily intraperitoneal injections of dopamine in doses of 10(-2)and 10(-1)M down-regulates the general number of cells in the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in 10 and 30 times and decreases their diameter by 27% and 59%, respectively (as compared to the control animals received physiological saline). According to ultrastructural data these injections were followed by the abnormal changes in microvilluses, forming the specific moire fringes in cytosol, thickening of cortical layer, and a significant increase in filament reticulum density (actin fibers) in tumor cells of treatment group specimens. We concluded that the oncocytotoxic effect of dopamine was related to the induced polymerization of cytosol actin.