Peripheral Blood Changes and Liver Catalase Response to Isologously Transplanted Rat Leukemia IRC 741

Abstract

The effects of the growth of acute leukemia IRC 741 were observed in Fischer line 344 male rats. Erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin value dropped significantly during the terminal stages. There was a progressive significant increase in leukocyte level during the development of the disease, the terminal counts being 20 times higher than normal. Blood glucose values decreased throughout the course of the disease, and amino acid values remained relatively unchanged until the terminal stage when a significant increase was observed. Liver catalase activity values were elevated slightly through day 11. This was followed by a marked reduction at day 15 and a more pronounced decrease at the terminal stage. Liver weight per body weight ratios remained relatively unchanged during the disease. Spleen weight per body weight ratios fluctuated during the early stages of the disease but increased steadily toward the terminal stage.