Effect of superoxide dismutase in rabbits with peritumoral edema.

We evaluated the effect of SOD, an oxygen-free radical scavenger, on peritumoral edema in 20 rabbits. The VX2 carcinoma was transplanted to the brains of these New Zealand white rabbits. Detection of superoxide radicals in vitro was performed by incubating the VX2 tumor cells with NBT. For evaluation of the effect of SOD on the tumor cells, they were treated with free SOD or PEG-SOD before and after incubation with NBT. The animals were separated into three groups: group 1, control group; group 2, SOD-untreated tumor group; group 3, two SOD-treated groups-group 3a, treated with 10,000 U/kg PEG-SOD on day 1 and 4 after tumor transplantation and sacrificed on day 13; group 3b, treated with 10,000 U/kg PEG-SOD on day 7 and 10 and sacrificed on day 13. Brain edema was assessed by SG measurement. Our preliminary in vitro data indicated that the VX2 carcinoma produced superoxide radicals but that free SOD and PEG-SOD could not penetrate into tumor cells nor inhibit superoxide radicals. In vivo data also indicated that PEG-SOD failed to reduce peritumoral edema. It was concluded that intracellular uptake or penetration of SOD must first be achieved before any effect on peritumoral edema can be assessed.