Effects of Glucan on the Reticuloendothelial System and on the Development of Tumors in ⁹⁰Sr-Exposed Mice

Abstract

A series of experiments was conducted to examine the effect of glucan on the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and on the development of ⁹⁰Sr-induced osteosarcomas and malignant lymphomas in CBA/S mice. Glucan demonstrated a strong RES-stimulating effect, as evidenced by a dose-related increase in lysozyme levels in the plasma and an enlargement of the liver and spleen. Weekly injections of glucan between 150 and 250 days after exposure to ⁹⁰Sr suppressed the actuarial appearance of the fibroblastic type of osteosarcomas and stimulated the emergence of malignant lymphomas. Glucan itself had no tumorigenic effect in mice not exposed to ⁹⁰Sr.