Relation between autoradiographically measured blood flow and ATP concentrations obtained from imaging bioluminescence in tumors following hyperthermia.

The effects of moderate local hyperthermia (43.3 degrees C/30 min) on regional blood flow and regional ATP distribution in the amelanotic hamster melanoma A-Mel-3 were investigated by high-resolution techniques. Blood flow and ATP concentrations were measured simultaneously in treated and untreated tumors and in adjacent tissues by means of (14C)-Iodoantipyrine autoradiography and quantitative imaging bioluminescence in consecutive tissue sections at 3, 12 and 24 hr following treatment. Digital image processing and the use of a special algorithm allowed the regional interrelationship of the 2 parameters to be quantified. Measurements revealed a great heterogeneity of blood flow and ATP betw…