Although the endothelial dysfunction is related with tumor development, there is no consensus on the suppressive or supportive effect on tumor growth. The goal of the present study was to evaluate endothelial dysfunction related factors in animal breast cancer model that was developed by administrating endothelial nitric oxide synthase blocking agent, Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME). Endothelial dysfunction related main factors such as nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and vascular endothelial cadherin were investigated by immunohistochemically in tumor and carotid artery tissues. In tumor tissues apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay. The level of endothelin-1 in blood was measured by ELISA. İntima-media thickness of carotid artery was evaluated with Doppler-USG measurements. As a result, in this study it was shown that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, endothelin-1, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial cadherin and E-selectin molecules play a role in reducing breast tumor growth based on endothelial dysfunction.
