Liposomal curcumin inhibits hypoxia-induced angiogenesis after transcatheter arterial embolization in VX2 rabbit liver tumors

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the inhibition of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis after embolization in VX2 rabbit liver tumors by liposomal curcumin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 VX2 rabbits were divided into three groups, and each group had three subgroups according to the sacrifice time. The animals in the control group (n=18) underwent sham embolization. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)-treated group (n=18) animals underwent embolization with lipiodol (0.1 mL/kg body weight) and 90–180 µm polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Liposomal curcumin TAE-treated group (n=18) animals underwent embolization with liposomal curcumin (20 mg/kg body weight) mixed with lipiodol (0.1 mL/kg body weight) and 90–180 µm PVA particles. After embolization, the animals in each subgroup were sacrificed at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 3 days, and the tumor samples were collected. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins, and microvessel density (MVD). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine VEGF mRNA levels. RESULTS: The levels of HIF-1α and VEGF, and MVD in tumors of liposomal curcumin TAE-treated group were significantly decreased compared to the TAE-treated group (P<0.05). There was a slight decrease in tumor size in the liposomal curcumin TAE-treated group at third-day time points compared to the TAE-treated group; the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The HIF-1α protein correlated considerably with VEGF mRNA (r=0.705, P=0.001) and protein (r=0.655, P=0.003), and MVD (r=0.521, P=0.027). A significant correlation between VEGF protein and MVD was noted as well (r=0.519, P=0.027). CONCLUSION: Liposomal curcumin downregulates HIF-1α protein levels and inhibits hypoxia-induced angiogenesis after embolization in VX2 rabbit liver tumors.