Effect of Yoshida ascites tumour on the circulation in rats

The circulation in anaesthetized rats with Yoshida ascites tumour was studied. Cardiac output was determined according to the reference flow method, while the distribution of cardiac output by labelled microspheres 15 mu in diameter. Arterial blood pressure decreased by 39 mm Hg and TPR by 23% at unaltered cardiac output. Blood flow of the brain and the coronaries increased by 39-43% while that of the kidney and the intestines decreased by 43 and 28%, respectively. The cardiac output fractions of the brain, the coronaries and the hepatic artery increased considerably, while that of the kidney decreased. The haematocrit decreased from 43 to 23%. It is assumed that part of the circulatory alterations (redistribution of cardiac output) were due to the anaemia and its consequences, while the others (arterial hypotension, lack of increase in cardiac output) should be regarded as an effect of a factor reaching the circulation from the cells of the ascites tumour.