Effect of retinoids on AOM-induced colon cancer in rats: modulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis and aberrant crypt foci. (17/7889)

We have previously reported that the retinoids, 4-(hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR) and 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA) prevented azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon tumors and along with 2-(carboxyphenyl)retinamide (2-CPR) prevented aberrant crypt foci (ACF). In this study, we evaluated the effect of 2-CPR on AOM-induced colon tumors and the effect of the three retinoids on apoptosis and cell proliferation. Male F344 rats were administrated 15 mg/kg AOM at weeks 7 and 8 of age. 2-CPR (315 mg/kg) was administered in the diet starting either 1 week before or at week 12 after the first dose of AOM. The rats continued to receive the 2-CPR until killed at week 46. Unlike the demonstrated prevention of colon cancer by the other two retinoids, both dosing schedules of 2-CPR resulted in an approximate doubling of the yield of colon tumors. In adenomas, 2-CPR, 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA were equally effective in reducing mitotic activity, while only 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA but not 2-CPR enhanced apoptosis. When administered for only the 6 days prior to killing 4-HPR but not 2-CPR decreased the Mitotic Index and increased the Apoptotic Index in adenomas. In non-involved crypts, chronic exposure to 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA in contrast to 2-CPR reduced the Mitotic Index and enhanced the Apoptotic Index. In concurrence with our previous study, both 2-CPR and 4-HPR were very potent in preventing ACF when administered in the diet starting 1 week before the first dose of AOM and continuing for the 5 weeks of the study. Hence, unlike the other two retinoids, 2-CPR, although very potent in preventing ACF, enhanced rather than prevented AOM-induced colon cancer. Furthermore, our results suggest that the effect of 2-CPR on tumor yield is different from 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA because, unlike them, it does not enhance apoptosis.  (+info)

Hprt mutant frequency and molecular analysis of Hprt mutations in Fischer 344 rats treated with thiotepa. (18/7889)

Thiotepa is a bifunctional alkylating anticancer drug that is a rodent carcinogen and a suspected human carcinogen. In order to determine the sensitivity of mutant induction in the Hprt lymphocyte assay for detecting tumorigenic doses of thiotepa, Fischer 344 rats were treated for 4 weeks with thiotepa using a procedure adapted from a carcinogenesis protocol. At various times after beginning the treatment regimen, rats were killed and the lymphocyte Hprt assay was performed on splenic lymphocytes isolated from the animals. The 6-thioguanine-resistant T lymphocyte mutant frequency increased with time during the period of thiotepa exposure and declined slightly thereafter. Significant dose-dependent increases in mutant frequency were found using concentrations of thiotepa that eventually result in lymphoproliferative tumors. Hprt mRNA from mutant lymphocytes was reverse transcribed to cDNA, amplified by PCR and examined for mutations by DNA sequencing. This analysis indicated that the major type of point mutation was G:C-->T:A transversion and that 33% of the mutants contained simple or complex frameshifts. Also, a multiplex PCR performed on DNA from mutant clones that were expanded in vitro indicated that 34% of the clones had deletions in the Hprt gene. These results indicate that the induction of lymphocyte Hprt mutants is a sensitive biomarker for the carcinogenicity of thiotepa and that the types of mutations found in the lymphocyte Hprt gene reflect the kinds of DNA damage produced by thiotepa.  (+info)

Idoxifene derivatives are less reactive to DNA than tamoxifen derivatives, both chemically and in human and rat liver cells. (19/7889)

The drug tamoxifen shows evidence of genotoxicity, and induces liver tumours in rats. Covalent DNA adducts have been detected in the liver of rats treated with tamoxifen, and these arise through metabolism at the alpha-position to give an ester which reacts with DNA. (E)-1-(4-iodophenyl)-2-phenyl-1-[4-(2-pyrrolidinoethoxy)phenyl]-but-1-en e (idoxifene) is an analogue of tamoxifen in which formation of DNA adducts is greatly reduced; we could not detect any adducts in the DNA of cultured rat hepatocytes treated with 10 microM idoxifene, after analysis by the 32P-post-labelling method. The metabolite (Z)-4-(4-iodophenyl)-4-[4-(2-pyrrolidinoethoxy)phenyl]-3-phenyl-3-but en-2-ol (alpha-hydroxyidoxifene) gave adducts in rat hepatocytes, but far fewer than the corresponding tamoxifen metabolite. In human hepatocytes, neither idoxifene nor tamoxifen induced detectable levels of DNA adducts. We prepared the alpha-acetoxy ester of idoxifene as a model for the ultimate reactive metabolite formed in rat liver. It was less reactive than alpha-acetoxytamoxifen, as might be expected on mechanistic grounds. It reacted with DNA in the same way, to give adducts which were probably N2-alkyldeoxyguanosines, but to a lower extent. All these results indicate that idoxifene is much less genotoxic than tamoxifen, and should therefore be a safer drug.  (+info)

Lack of evidence from HPLC 32P-post-labelling for tamoxifen-DNA adducts in the human endometrium. (20/7889)

Tamoxifen is associated with an increased incidence of endometrial cancer in women. It is also a potent carcinogen in rat liver and forms covalent DNA adducts in this tissue. A previous study exploring DNA adducts in human endometria, utilizing thin layer chromatography 32P-postlabelling, found no evidence for adducts in tamoxifen-treated women [Carmichael,P.L., Ugwumadu,A.H.N., Neven,P., Hewer,A.J., Poon,G.K. and Phillips,D.H. (1996) Cancer Res., 56, 1475-1479]. However, subsequent work utilizing HPLC 32P-post-labelling [Hemminki,K., Ranjaniemi,H., Lindahl,B. and Moberger,B. (1996) Cancer Res., 56, 4374-4377] suggested that very low levels could be detected. We have sought to investigate this question further by reproducing the HPLC methodology at two centres, and analysing endometrial DNA from 20 patients treated with 20 mg/day tamoxifen for between 22 and 65 months. Liver DNA isolated from tamoxifen-treated rats was used as a positive control. We found no convincing evidence for tamoxifen-derived DNA adducts in human endometrium. HPLC elution profiles of post-labelled DNA from tamoxifen-treated women were indistinguishable from those obtained with DNA from 14 untreated women and from six women taking toremifene, an analogue of tamoxifen.  (+info)

Transplanted hepatocytes proliferate differently after CCl4 treatment and hepatocyte growth factor infusion. (21/7889)

To understand regulation of transplanted hepatocyte proliferation in the normal liver, we used genetically marked rat or mouse cells. Hosts were subjected to liver injury by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), to liver regeneration by a two-thirds partial hepatectomy, and to hepatocellular DNA synthesis by infusion of hepatocyte growth factor for comparative analysis. Transplanted hepatocytes were documented to integrate in periportal areas of the liver. In response to CCl4 treatments after cell transplantation, the transplanted hepatocyte mass increased incrementally, with the kinetics and magnitude of DNA synthesis being similar to those of host hepatocytes. In contrast, when cells were transplanted 24 h after CCl4 administration, transplanted hepatocytes appeared to be injured and most cells were rapidly cleared. When hepatocyte growth factor was infused into the portal circulation either subsequent to or before cell transplantation and engraftment, transplanted cell mass did not increase, although DNA synthesis rates increased in cultured primary hepatocytes as well as in intact mouse and rat livers. These data suggested that procedures causing selective ablation of host hepatocytes will be most effective in inducing transplanted cell proliferation in the normal liver. The number of transplanted hepatocytes was not increased in the liver by hepatocyte growth factor administration. Repopulation of the liver with genetically marked hepatocytes can provide effective reporters for studying liver growth control in the intact animal.  (+info)

Alterations in endogenous circadian rhythm of core temperature in senescent Fischer 344 rats. (22/7889)

We assessed whether alterations in endogenous circadian rhythm of core temperature (CRT) in aging rats are associated with chronological time or with a biological marker of senescence, i.e., spontaneous rapid body weight loss. CRT was measured in male Fischer 344 (F344) rats beginning at age 689 days and then continuously until death. Young rats were also monitored. The rats were housed under constant dim red light at 24-26 degrees C, and core temperature was recorded every 10 min via biotelemetry. The CRT amplitude of the body weight-stable (presenescent) old rats was significantly less than that of young rats at all analysis periods. At the onset of spontaneous rapid weight loss (senescence), all measures of endogenous CRT differed significantly from those in the presenescent period. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (a circadian pacemaker) of the senescent rats maintained its light responsiveness as determined by an increase in c-fos expression after a brief light exposure. These data demonstrate that some characteristics of the CRT are altered slowly with chronological aging, whereas others occur rapidly with the onset of senescence.  (+info)

Blood flow influences vascular growth during tumour angiogenesis. (23/7889)

Many factors play a role in tumour angiogenesis. We observed growing tumour vessels in vivo to study the relationship between blood flow and vascular enlargement. Mammary adenocarcinoma was implanted into Fisher-344 rat with dorsal skin-fold transparent chambers. Vascular growth was observed and recorded on videotape through a microscope for 6 h. Vascular networks were photographed and traced every 30 min to identify changes over time. Tumour sections were stained with Masson's trichrome and anti-Factor VIII-related antigen. Tumour growth was rapid enough for differences to be seen each hour. Vessels with a high blood flow showed an increase in diameter within a few hours and new branches formed from these vessels. In contrast, vessels without an increase in blood flow showed no change in diameter. Vessels within the interstitium surrounding the tumour were lined by endothelium that was positive for anti-Factor VIII-related antigen staining. Vessels in the tumour had extremely rare endothelial cells detectable by Masson's trichrome or anti-Factor VIII-related antigen staining. In conclusion, increased blood flow may cause vascular enlargement and some primitive vessels seem to lack endothelium.  (+info)

Evidence for involvement of B lymphocytes in the surveillance of lung metastasis in the rat. (24/7889)

These studies examined the composition of lymphocytes within the lung after the introduction of tumor cells that metastasize to the lung in rats. i.v. delivery of MADB106 tumor cells into syngeneic Fischer 344 rats caused dose- and time-dependent development of lung tumors, with surface metastases evident 7 days after injection and markedly increased 11 days after injection. The total number of lymphocytes recovered from the lung was increased 11 days after injection but not 7 days after injection. When lymphocytes from the lung, spleen, and blood were subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, the most conspicuous change was an increase in the percentage of CD45RA+ cells (i.e., B lymphocytes in the rat) in the lung, with no changes seen in the percentage of natural killer (NKR-P1+), CD4+, or CD8+ cells in the lung. Analysis of the time course showed that B lymphocytes increased in the lung soon after i.v. tumor injection, with an initial peak seen 6 h after injection. Rapid influx of B lymphocytes into lung after i.v. tumor cell injection was also observed in another syngeneic tumor model, i.e., after injection of CC531 cells into WAG rats. To determine whether the influx of B lymphocytes into the lung might participate in tumor surveillance, a high dose of antibody (100 microg) to rat B lymphocytes was given to immunoneutralize these cells; this produced an increase in lung tumors in both models. Finally, Fischer 344 rats were given a s.c. injection of MADB106 tumor cells that made them resistant to lung tumors when given a later i.v. injection of these tumor cells. These animals were found to have an elevated level of B lymphocytes residing in the lung associated with the resistance to lung tumor. These findings suggest that early responses of B lymphocytes are important in protection against tumor development in two rat models of cancer.  (+info)