The effects of electromagnetically generated high-energy shock waves (HESW, Siemens Lithostar) on the
phosphate metabolite levels of the NU-1 human
kidney cancer xenograft implanted under the skin of the hind limb of nude mice were monitored by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Administration of 200 and 800 HESW (18.1 kV, P(+) = 37.5 MPa, P(-) = 5.2 MPa, tr = 30-120 nsec, tw = 340 nsec, freq. = 1.25 Hz), focused on the
tumor centre, resulted in an immediate
tumor decline; 2 h after exposure to the HESW, the high-energy
phosphate resonances had decreased drastically. This decline in energy rich molecules was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the
inorganic phosphate resonance and a decrease in pH of the
tumor. During the following period, a dose-time dependent recovery of the original high-energy
phosphate resonance intensities was observed. These changes are qualitatively similar to those produced by ischemic inhibition of energy metabolism and are correlated with early histological features like vascular disruption, stasis within capillaries, and focal
thrombosis. These results demonstrate that experimental HESW treatment of the NU-1 kidney
tumor is effective in provoking a temporary reduction of both high-energy
phosphate metabolism and tissue pH of the
tumor. The data presented here strongly suggest that these effects are predominantly indirect by affecting
tumor vascularity. Overall, this study shows that MRS is a powerful technique for longitudinal investigations of HESW-induced effects and can provide information about its mode of action.