Effect of Heavy Water (deuterium oxide) on Viability of Mouse Sarcoma and Rat Carcinoma

Abstract

Summary

1. The proliferating capacity of the mouse sarcoma 180 and the Flexner-Jobling rat carcinoma was unaffected by heavy water (94% H220) when it contained salts of a Locke-Ringer solution in an isotonic amount. 2. The growth capacity of the tumors was equally markedly destroyed when subjected to hypotonic media for 24 hours, both in ordinary and heavy water.

It was clearly shown 1 that the proliferating capacity of the mouse sarcoma 180 and the mouse melanoma was unaffected by heavy water (14.8 and 40% H² ₂O) when it contained salts of Locke-Ringer solution in an isotonic amount.

We here present the results of experiments to determine the influence of 94% heavy water on the growth of malignant neoplasms in rats and mice. This study was made possible through the courtesy of Dr. Urey of Columbia University who supplied us with the heavy water.

The mouse sarcoma 180 and Flexner-Jobling rat carcinoma were selected for the present study. The behavior of these transplantable tumors in the hosts has been reported elsewhere.

Into each of 2 weighing bottles were placed 2.5 cc. of Locke-Ringer solution which was evaporated to dryness over a covered water bath. One residue was then dissolved in 2.5 cc. of ordinary distilled water and the other in 2.5 cc. of 94% heavy water, thus making isotonic solutions. The solutions were buffered to pH 7.0 approximately by adding 0.088 cc. of 0.2 M KH₂PO₄ and 0.052 cc. of 0.2 M KOH. Small pieces of tumor tissues (each weighing about 6 mg.) were placed in these solutions and left for 24 hours at 4–5°C. At the end of this period of time, the tumor fragments were inoculated into mice. The results are presented in Figure 1.

Each set of experiments included the inoculation of animals of about the same age with untreated tumor tissue immediately after removal from the tumor-bearing animal.