Evaluation of the possible proapoptotic effect on Tetrodotoxin on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells (EAC) using P53 & Caspase 3 immunohistochemistry in mice's liver

It is becoming obvious that all cancers have a defective p53 pathway, either through TP53 mutation or deregulation of the tumor suppressor function of the wild type TP53. In this study we examined the expression of P53 and Caspase 3 in transperitoneally injected Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma cells (EAC) treated with Tetrodotoxin in the liver of adult mice in order to evaluate the possible pro apoptotic effect of Tetrodotoxin . Results: Early in the treatment, numerous EAC detected in the large blood vessels & central veins and expressed both of P53 & Caspase 3 in contrast to the late absence of P53 expressing EAC at the 12 day of Tetrodotoxin treatment. In the same context, predominantly the perivascular hepatocytes expressed Caspase 3 in contrast to the more diffuse expression pattern late with Tetrodotoxin treatment. Non of the hepatocytes ever expressed P53 neither with early nor late Tetrodotoxin treatment. Conclusion: Tetrodotoxin therapy has a proapoptotic effect on Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma Cells (EAC). This may be through enhancing the tumor suppressor function of the wild type TP53 with subsequent Caspase 3 activation.