Changes in plasma gangliosides in relation to tumor growth modified by vitamin A

Treatment of Swiss male mice with vitamin A at a dose of 100 IU/mouse could inhibit the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor in these mice almost by 50%, whereas a dose of 250 IU/mouse enhanced the growth of same tumor by 60%. The inhibitory and enhancing effects of vitamin A on tumor growth were reflected in the change in concentration of gangliosides of plasma. However, changes were quite different in those two cases. Out of six gangliosides detected in the plasma of tumor-bearing mice only three were observed to be related to the tumor growth regulatory effect of vitamin A.