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Biomedical subjects

B S Reddy

Publications and source records attributed to B S Reddy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of caffeic acid esters on carcinogen-induced mutagenicity and human colon adenocarcinoma cell growth.

Propolis, a honey bee hive product, is thought to exhibit a broad spectrum of activities including antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and tumor growth inhibition; some of the observed biological activities may be due to caffeic acid (cinnamic acid) esters that are present in propolis. In the present study we synthesized three caffeic acid esters, namely methyl caffeate (MC), phenylethyl caffeate (PEC) and phenylethyl dimethylcaffeate (PEDMC) and tested them against the 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl, (DMAB, a colon and mammary carcinogen)-induced mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100. Also, the effect of these agents on the growth of human colon adenocarcinoma, HT-29 cells and activities of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) was studied. Mutagenicity was induced in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 plus S9 activation using 5 and 10 micrograms DMAB and antimutagenic activities of 0-150 microM MC, 0-60 microM PEC and 0-80 microM PEDMC were determined. The results indicate that MC, PEC and PEDMC were not mutagenic in the Salmonella tester system. DMAB-induced mutagenicity was significantly inhibited with 150 microM MC, 40-60 microM PEC and 40-80 microM PEDMC in both tester systems. Treatment of HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells with > 150 microM MC, 30 microM PEC and 20 microM PEDMC significantly inhibited the cell growth and syntheses of RNA, DNA and protein. ODC and PTK activities were also inhibited in HT-29 cells treated with different concentrations of MC, PEC and PEDMC. These results demonstrate that caffeic acid esters which are present in Propolis possess chemopreventive properties when tested in short-term assay systems.

Caffeic Acids

Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by the synthetic organoselenium compound 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate.

The chemopreventive effect of 40% and 80% maximum tolerated dose (MTD) levels of 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC) administered in the diet during the initiation phase (2 weeks before, during, and up to 3 days after carcinogen administration) and the post-initiation phase (3 days after carcinogen treatment until termination) of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis was studied in male F344 rats. The MTD of p-XSC was determined in male F344 rats and found to be 50 ppm. Beginning at 5 weeks of age, all animals were divided into various experimental groups (42 rats/group) and fed the high-fat semipurified diet or diets containing 20 (40% MTD) and 40 (80% MTD) ppm p-XSC. At 7 weeks of age, all animals (30 rats/group) except the vehicle-treated groups (12 rats/group) were administered s.c. injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body weight/week for 2 weeks). Three days after the second injection of AOM or vehicle (normal saline), groups of animals fed the p-XSC diets and control diet were transferred, respectively, to control diet and p-XSC diets and continued on these diets until the termination of the study. All animals were necropsied during the 36th week after AOM treatment. Colonic mucosal prostaglandin E2 and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase were measured in animals fed the control and p-XSC diets at the termination of the study. The results indicate that 40 ppm p-XSC administered during the initiation phase significantly inhibited the colon tumor incidence (percentage of animals with tumors). Dietary p-XSC administered at 20 and 40 ppm levels during the initiation phase significantly inhibited colon tumor multiplicity (tumors/animal and tumors/tumor-bearing animal). Colon tumor incidence and multiplicity were significantly reduced in groups fed 20 and 40 ppm p-XSC diets at the postinitiation phase of carcinogenesis. Colonic mucosal selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity was increased, and prostaglandin E2 was reduced in animals fed the p-XSC diet compared to animals fed the control diet. Whereas the precise mechanisms of p-XSC-induced inhibition of colon carcinogenesis remain to be elucidated, it is likely that the effect during the initiation and postinitiation phases may be due to alteration in carcinogen metabolism and to modulation of prostaglandin synthesis and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity.

Adenocarcinoma

Environmental dietary factors in colorectal cancer. Some unresolved issues.

BACKGROUND: Unresolved epidemiologic issues in large bowel cancer include reasons for changes in incidence rates, differences in epidemiology of cancer in the distal and proximal colon and rectal cancer, and the optimal fat and fiber levels for low rates. METHODS: The authors examined questions of suitable procedures for the assessment of intake of specific key nutrients and mode of cooking. International data by site and nutritional factors were compared. RESULTS: Fat and fiber intake in the United States, Japan, and Finland related to differences in rates. Laboratory animal model studies indicated that type of fat affected carcinogenesis. Colon cancer rates in men in the United States increased slightly, but started to decline slightly, as in women. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary factors play a key role in causation and prevention of large bowel cancer, with a diet of 25% fat and 25 g fiber recommended. Comprehensive school health education should be used to modify the nutritional habits of children.

Animals

Inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced tumors and DNA adduct formation in the mammary glands of female Sprague-Dawley rats by the synthetic organoselenium compound, 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate.

We synthesized a novel organoselenium compound, 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (XSC), possessing low toxicity by comparison with inorganic Na2SeO3, and several other synthetic organoselenium compounds (K. El-Bayoumy, Cancer Res., 45: 3631-3636, 1985). We tested the effect of XSC treatment during the initiation phase on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma formation. A semipurified high-fat diet containing 80 ppm of XSC (40 ppm as selenium) was fed to 6-wk-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats for 2 wk, starting 1 wk before and ending 1 wk after carcinogen treatment. At 7 wk of age, rats were given a single dose of DMBA (5 mg) in 0.2 ml of olive oil by gastric intubation; the experiment was terminated 16 wk later. The development of mammary tumors in those rats that received XSC-supplemented diets was significantly inhibited when compared with the control group (fed the same diet without XSC supplements). This was evident from tumor incidence (percentage of tumor-bearing rats, 88 versus 20) and multiplicity of tumors (mean number of tumors/rats, 3.96 versus 0.28). The finding that XSC acts as a chemopreventive agent in the DMBA mammary tumor model prompted us to examine the effect of dietary XSC on DMBA-DNA binding in both the liver and mammary tissue under conditions identical to those described above for the bioassay. Rats (four/group) were killed 6, 24, 48, and 168 h after [3H]DMBA (5 mg/rat; specific activity, 51.2 mCi/mM) administration. Liver and mammary tissue were obtained and DNA was isolated. Dietary XSC was found to inhibit total DMBA-DNA binding in the mammary tissue, but not in the liver. The most profound effect was observed at early time points, i.e., 24 to 48 h after [3H]DMBA administration. The inhibition in total binding was attributed to a reduction in the formation of the three major adducts derived from bay-region diol-epoxides of DMBA; these were identified as anti-diol-epoxide:deoxyguanosine, syn-diol-epoxide:deoxyadenosine, and anti-diol-epoxide:deoxyadenosine adducts on the basis of their chromatographic characteristics on high-pressure liquid chromatography and on a boronate affinity column. The inhibition of the DMBA-DNA binding in the target tissue provides a plausible explanation for the chemopreventive effect of XSC during the initiation stage of carcinogenesis.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene

Effect of voluntary exercise on azoxymethane-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male F344 rats.

The effect of voluntary exercise on azoxymethane-induced hepatocarcinogenesis was investigated in male F344 rats. Beginning at 5 weeks of age, all animals were divided into two groups (sedentary and exercise) and fed AIN-76A semipurified diet ad libitum. At 7 weeks of age, animals were given azoxymethane (AOM) s.c. at a dose level of 15 mg/kg of body weight, once weekly for 2 weeks. Four days after the second dose of AOM, all animals in the exercise group were housed in individual wheel-cage units and the animals in the sedentary group were housed in plastic cages. The experiment was terminated at 38 weeks post-AOM treatment. Body weights of animals in the exercise and sedentary groups were comparable. Immunohistochemical staining of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) was performed in the liver and measured GST-P positive foci. Density (number of GST-P positive foci/cm2 area of liver section), average area of foci and unit area of foci were significantly inhibited in the exercise group, although the incidence of neoplastic nodules and GST-P positive foci were unaffected by the exercise. Thus, energy expenditure due to exercise may reduce hepatocarcinogenesis in a laboratory animal model.

Animals

Dietary fat and colon cancer: animal model studies.

Since it was first suggested that high dietary fat is a risk factor in colon cancer, there have been several studies to test this hypothesis. Epidemiologic studies suggested a positive association between dietary fat and colon cancer. Laboratory animal model studies demonstrated that not only the amount of fat, but also types of fat differing in fatty acid composition are important determining factors in colon tumor development. Chemically-induced colon tumor incidence was increased in rats fed the semipurified diets containing 23% corn oil, safflower oil, lard or beef tallow (high-fat) as compared to those fed 5% corn oil, safflower oil, lard or beef tallow diets (low-fat). Diets containing 23% coconut oil, olive oil or fish oil, or high-fat diets containing varying levels of trans fat, had no colon tumor-enhancing effect compared to their respective low fat diets. The stage at which the effect of dietary fat is exerted appears to be mostly during the post-initiation phase of colon carcinogenesis. Lack of a colon tumor enhancing effect of dietary fish oil is observed both during the initiation and postinitiation phases. The mechanisms by which various dietary fats increase colon carcinogenesis are not fully understood. In most instances, however, the high-fat diet appears to enhance tumorigenesis through elevation of agents, such as secondary bile acids, that act as promoters of tumor development. Lack of colon tumor promotion by dietary fish oil and trans fat appears to be mediated through their effect on mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity, colonic secondary bile acids and/or prostaglandin synthesis.

Animals

Effect of dietary fiber on colonic bacterial enzymes and bile acids in relation to colon cancer.

Because of the potential significance of colonic bacteria and secondary bile acids in the pathogenesis of colon cancer, the present study investigated the effect of different types of dietary fiber on fecal bacterial enzymes, namely, beta-glucuronidase, 7 alpha-dehydroxylase, nitroreductase, and azoreductase, and on bile acids and neutral sterols in premenopausal women. The subjects consumed 13-15 g of wheat, oat, or corn bran daily for 8 weeks in addition to their normal diet. Stools collected during the normal and fiber diet periods were analyzed for the above constituents. Dietary wheat bran decreased the concentrations of fecal deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, 12-ketolithocholic acid, and neutral sterols and the activities of all bacterial enzymes. Oat bran had no effect on secondary bile acids and 7 alpha-dehydroxylase but decreased beta-glucuronidase, nitroreductase, and azoreductase levels. Dietary corn bran increased 7 alpha-dehydroxylase, lithocholic acid, and cholesterol levels and decreased deoxycholic acid coprostanol, cholestenone, nitroreductase, and azoreductase levels. These results show that the modifying effect of dietary fiber on secondary bile acids and bacterial enzymes that may play a role in carcinogenesis depends on the type of fiber consumed.

Adult

Inhibition of colon carcinogenesis by prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors and related compounds.

The inhibitory effect of 40 and 80% maximum tolerated dose (MTD) levels of piroxicam, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and glycyrrhetinic acid on colon carcinogenesis was investigated in male F344 rats. The MTD levels of piroxicam, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and glycyrrhetinic acid as determined in male F344 rats were 500, 500, 250 and 3000 p.p.m. respectively. At 5 weeks of age, groups of male F344 rats were fed the control (AIN-76A) diet and 40 and 80% MTD levels of each test agent in AIN-76A diet. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except the vehicle (saline)-treated controls received azoxymethane (AOM) at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body wt, once weekly for 2 weeks. All animals were necropsied 50 weeks after the second AOM injection and colon tumor incidences were compared among the groups fed the control diet and chemopreventive agents. Animals fed 400 (80% MTD) and 200 p.p.m. (40% MTD) of piroxicam, 400 p.p.m. (80% MTD) of ibuprofen and 200 p.p.m. (80% MTD) of ketoprofen showed a significant inhibition of colon tumorigenesis as compared to those fed the control diet. Results analyzed by the linear regression method suggested a dose-dependent inhibition of colon carcinogenesis with increasing levels of piroxicam or ibuprofen. In contrast, glycyrrhetinic acid had no measurable chemopreventive effect on colon carcinogenesis.

Animals

Effect of the chemopreventive agents piroxicam and D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine on intermediate biomarkers of colon carcinogenesis.

Our previous studies have shown that dietary piroxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, act as potential chemopreventive agents in inhibiting azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. The present study was designed to determine the effect of these chemopreventive agents on intermediate biomarkers, namely colonic epithelial cell proliferation and levels of prostaglandins, which can be used as effective predictors of colon cancer. Starting at 6 weeks of age, groups of animals were fed the control diet and experimental diets containing piroxicam or DFMO. At 7 weeks of age, all animals, except the vehicle controls, were injected s.c. with AOM at a dose level of 15 mg/kg body wt/week for 4 weeks. Vehicle controls received an equal volume of normal saline. Groups of animals were then killed at the end of last AOM or saline injection (baseline) and at week 4, 16, 24 and 32 following the last AOM or saline treatment. Animals intended for cell proliferation study were injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) at a dose level of 20 mg/kg body wt 1 h prior to being killed. The rate of colonic cell proliferation at all time points was assessed immunohistochemically using anti-BrdU. The levels of colonic mucosal prostaglandins were estimated by radioimmunoassay. The results indicate that carcinogen treatment increased the colonic cell proliferation measured as the crypt labeling index in proximal and distal colons and the concentrations of colonic prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-keto PGF1 alpha. The data demonstrate that DFMO significantly inhibited the AOM-induced labeling index in the distal and proximal colon at all time points, whereas piroxicam slightly decreased the labeling index. On the other hand, piroxicam exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on the levels of both PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha. DFMO suppressed the colonic PGE2 levels to a lesser degree than piroxicam. The results demonstrate that DFMO, an inhibitor of ODC, suppresses cell proliferation, whereas piroxicam, a NSAID, inhibits prostaglandins, and emphasize the need to develop agent-dependent intermediate biomarker(s) to validate the efficacy of chemopreventive agent(s) in colon carcinogenesis.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

A rare association of localized gigantism with tuberous sclerosis.

An unusual association of localized gigantism with hypertrophy of the long bones and soft tissues in the left lower limb in an 18-year-old male with tuberous sclerosis (TS) is reported. The significance of this association is discussed from the point of view of its common neural crest origin during embryogenesis.

Adolescent

Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by dietary administration of piroxicam, alpha-difluoromethylornithine, 16 alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one, and ellagic acid individually and in combination.

The chemopreventive action of 40 and 80% maximum tolerated dose (MTD) levels of piroxicam, D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DMFO), 16 alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one (DHEA analogue 8354), and ellagic acid (EA) administered in diet individually and in combination before and during initiation and postinitiation phases of azoxymethane-induced neoplasia of the intestine was studied in male F344 rats. The MTD levels of piroxicam, DFMO, DHEA analogue, and EA were determined in male F344 rats and found to be 500, 5,000, 500, and 10,000 ppm, respectively, in modified AIN-76A diet. When these agents were fed in combination, the MTD levels were: piroxicam plus DFMO, 250 and 2500 ppm; piroxicam plus DHEA analogue, 250 and 250 ppm; piroxicam plus EA, 250 and 5000 ppm; piroxicam plus DFMO plus DHEA analogue, 250, 2500, and 250 ppm; and piroxicam plus DFMO plus EA, 250, 2500, and 5000 ppm. From these MTD values, 40 and 80% MTD levels were calculated and tested for their efficacy. At 5 weeks of age, animals were fed the modified AIN-76A (control) diet and experimental diets containing 40 and 80% MTD levels of piroxicam, DFMO, DHEA analogue, and EA individually and in combination. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except the vehicle-treated groups were administrated s.c. injections of azoxymethane (15 mg/kg body weight/week for 2 weeks). Animals intended for vehicle treatment received s.c. injections of an equal volume of normal saline. Fifty-two weeks after azoxymethane and saline treatment all the animals were necropsied, and colon and small intestinal tumor incidence (percentage of animals with tumors) and multiplicity (tumors/animal) were compared among various dietary groups. The results indicate that 40 and 80% MTD levels of dietary piroxicam and DFMO significantly (P less than 0.001) inhibited colon and small intestinal tumor incidence and multiplicity. DHEA analogue at 40% MTD level significantly decreased the small intestinal and colon tumor incidences (P less than 0.05), whereas 80% MTD of DHEA analogue inhibited only small intestinal tumor incidence. EA at 40 and 80% MTDs had no significant effect on colon tumor incidence (P greater than 0.05), but 80% MTD of EA showed a significant inhibitory effect on the incidence of small intestinal adenocarcinomas (P less than 0.01). In the combination study, 40 and 80% MTD levels of piroxicam plus DFMO significantly (P less than 0.001) inhibited colon adenocarcinoma incidence (8.3%) and multiplicity (0.08 +/- 0.04) (SE) when compared to colon adenocarcinoma incidence (72.2%) and multiplicity (1.14 +/- 0.18) in control diet-fed animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Mechanism of benzylselenocyanate inhibition of azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in F344 rats.

Benzylselenocyanate (BSC), a novel organoselenium compound, has been found to inhibit azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats during initiation. To investigate its mechanism of action, we examined the effects of BSC feeding on the following parameters: (a) metabolism of [14C]AOM to 14CO2 in vivo; (b) metabolic activation of AOM to MAM and of MAM to formic acid and methanol by rat liver microsomes in vitro; and (c) AOM-induced DNA methylation in rat livers and colons. Five-week-old male F344 rats were fed modified (23% corn oil) AIN-76A diets containing 0 (control), 25, or 50 ppm of BSC or benzylthiocyanate (BTC), a sulfur analogue of BSC which does not inhibit the colon carcinogenicity of AOM. After 3 weeks, rats were either sacrificed for the isolation of liver microsomes or were given 15 mg/kg of [14C]AOM s.c. to determine the rate of carcinogen metabolism in vivo. No difference in [14C]AOM metabolism was found between rats fed the BTC diets and those fed the control diet. In contrast, the rate of [14C]AOM metabolism, as determined by exhaled radioactivity, was 2-3 times higher in rats fed the BSC diets. While liver microsomes from rats fed the BTC diets metabolized AOM and MAM at rates not significantly different from those obtained with control liver microsomes, the metabolic activation of AOM as well as of MAM was stimulated severalfold when assayed with liver microsomes from rats fed the BSC diets. An increase in total liver cytochrome P-450 was also observed in the BSC-fed rats. Following the administration of 15 mg/kg AOM, significantly less O6-methylguanine and 7-methylguanine was present in the colon DNA from rats consuming the BSC diets than in rats fed the BTC or control diets. The body weight gains of rats fed the 25- and 50-ppm BSC-containing diets for 3 weeks were less (27 and 43%, respectively) than those of rats fed either the control or BTC-containing diets. These results indicate that dietary BSC significantly induces the hydroxylation of AOM and the oxidation of MAM in rat liver. An increase in the rates of AOM and MAM metabolism in the liver due to enzyme induction by BSC will result in decreased delivery of MAM to the colon via the bloodstream. This will be reflected in decreased DNA alkylation, as observed, and is likely to be a major factor in the inhibition of AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis by BSC.

Animals

Effect of diets high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on initiation and postinitiation stages of colon carcinogenesis.

The effect of dietary menhaden oil containing omega-3 fatty acids and corn oil rich in omega-6 fatty acids fed during the initiation and/or postinitiation stages of colon carcinogenesis was investigated in male F344 rats. At 5 weeks of age, all animals were divided into seven groups (39 rats/group) and fed the semipurified diets containing 5% corn oil (LCO), 23.5% corn oil (HCO), or 18.5% menhaden oil plus 5% corn oil (HFO). At 7 weeks of age, all animals except the vehicle (normal saline)-treated groups were given two weekly s.c. injection of azoxymethane (AOM) at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body weight, once weekly. Three days after the second injection of AOM, groups of animals fed LCO, LCO, HCO, HCO, HCO, HFO, or HFO diets were transferred, respectively, to LCO, HCO, LCO, HCO, HFO, HCO, or HFO and continued on these diets until termination of the experiment. All animals were necropsied 42 weeks after carcinogen treatment. Body weights of animals fed various experimental diets during the initiation and postinitiation periods were comparable. As expected, the HCO diet fed during the postinitiation period significantly increased the AOM-induced incidence and multiplicity of colon adenocarcinomas, whereas the HCO diet fed during the initiation phase of carcinogenesis had no effect. Colon tumor incidence and multiplicity were significantly reduced in groups fed the HFO diet at either initiation and/or postinitiation phases of carcinogenesis as compared with those fed the HCO diet. Whereas the precise mechanisms producing the difference between the high menhaden oil (HFO) diet as compared with high corn oil (HCO) diet remain to be elucidated, it is likely that the effect during the initiation and postinitiation phases may be due to alteration in carcinogen metabolism and to modulation of prostaglandin synthesis, respectively.

Adenocarcinoma

Effect of dietary benzylselenocyanate on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats.

The effect of dietary benzylselenocyanate (BSC) and its analogue, benzylthiocyanate (BTC), and sodium selenite during the initiation and postinitiation phases of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced intestinal carcinogenesis was studied in male F344 rats. Animals intended for initiation study were fed the high-fat (23.5% corn oil) diets containing 25, 50, and 100 ppm BSC (10, 20, and 40 ppm selenium, respectively) and 100 ppm BTC and 4 ppm selenium (as sodium selenite in drinking water); those intended for postinitiation study were fed the high-fat control diet. Two weeks later, all animals were injected subcutaneously with AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) once weekly for two weeks. Three days after the last AOM injection, animals in the initiation and postinitiation studies were transferred respectively to the high-fat diet and high-fat diets containing BSC and BTC and sodium selenite in drinking water. This regimen was continued until 36 weeks post-AOM injection. BSC inhibited the small intestinal and colon adenocarcinoma incidence and multiplicity of colon adenocarcinomas when fed during the postinitiation phase. Sodium selenite inhibited the incidence and multiplicity of colon adenocarcinomas only during the postinitiation phase. BTC had no inhibitory effect when fed during the initiation and postinitiation phases. The colonic mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity was significantly inhibited by the administration of all three compounds, BSC (78%), BTC (62%), and sodium selenite (44%). It is concluded that the BSC has an inhibitory effect on the intestinal carcinogenesis in animals fed the high-fat diet.

Analysis of Variance

Inhibition by dietary oltipraz of experimental intestinal carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane in male F344 rats.

Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of cruciferous vegetables rich in dithiolethiones is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cancer in man. The effect of two dose levels of dietary oltipraz [5-(2-pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1, 2- dithiole-3-thione], a substituted dithiolethione, on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced intestinal carcinogenesis and on serum levels was studied in male F344 rats. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of oltipraz was determined in male F344 rats and found to be 500 p.p.m. Oltipraz at levels of 200 p.p.m. (40% MTD) and 400 p.p.m. (80% MTD) diet was tested as inhibitor of intestinal carcinogenesis. At 5 weeks of age, animals were fed the modified AIN-76A (control) diet and experimental diets containing oltipraz. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except the vehicle-treated animals were administered s.c. injection of AOM (15 mg/kg body wt/week for 2 weeks). Animals intended for vehicle treatment were administered s.c. with an equal volume of normal saline. Fifty-two weeks later, all animals were killed and colon and small intestinal tumor incidences and multiplicity were compared among the dietary groups. The results indicate that feeding of 200 and 400 p.p.m. of oltipraz significantly inhibited the incidence of adenocarcinomas in colon and small intestine and multiplicity of colon adenomas and small intestinal adenocarcinomas. Animals fed 400 p.p.m. oltipraz showed increased levels of oltipraz in the serum as compared to those fed 200 p.p.m. oltipraz. The results of this study indicate that dietary oltipraz inhibits intestinal carcinogenesis.

Animals

Effect of oltipraz [5-(2-pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiol-3-thione] on azoxymethane-induced biochemical changes related to early colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats.

Epidemiologic studies suggest that the consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk for several types of cancer including cancer of colon. Experimental studies indicate that dithiolthiones, naturally occurring substances in cruciferous vegetables, possess anticarcinogenic properties. 5-(2-Pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiol-3-thione (oltipraz), a substituted dithiolthione, has been tested for its chemopreventive activity. We studied the effect of dietary oltipraz on liver and colonic mucosal enzymes and DNA adducts to evaluate the modulating role of this agent during the early period of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced carcinogenesis. At 6 weeks of age, groups of animals were fed the AIN-76A diet containing 0 and 300 ppm oltipraz. At 8 weeks of age, all of the animals except vehicle-treated animals were administered a subcutaneous injection of AOM (15 mg/kg body wt/week for 2 weeks). Animals intended for vehicle treatment were administered normal saline subcutaneously. Fifteen hours after the second AOM injection, six animals each from control oltipraz diet groups were sacrificed and liver and colonic mucosa from each animal were used for DNA adduct analysis. Animals intended for liver and colonic mucosal glutathione S-transferase, tyrosine specific protein kinase (TPK), and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) enzyme assays were killed 5 days after the second AOM or saline injection. The results of this study indicated that dietary oltipraz significantly increased liver (P less than 0.001) and colonic mucosal (P greater than 0.05) weights, but had no effect on body weights (P greater than 0.05). In saline-treated animals, feeding of oltipraz significantly increased the cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (P less than 0.001) and ODC (P less than 0.05) activities in the liver and colon when compared with those fed the control diet. Although our unpublished results indicate an inhibitory role of oltipraz when fed during the initiation and postinitiation phases of intestinal carcinogenesis, the increased ODC activity may indicate a possible role of oltipraz in colon tumor promotion. Additional studies are indicated to test the antitumor properties of oltipraz administered during the postinitiation phases. AOM treatment significantly increased the TPK (P less than 0.0001) and ODC (P less than 0.01) activities in the liver and colon of animals fed the control diet. Dietary oltipraz significantly suppressed the AOM-induced TPK (P less than 0.001) activities in liver and colon and ODC (P less than 0.01) activity of colon. Analysis of nucleic acid bases, O6-methylguanine, and 7-methylguanine revealed that dietary oltipraz significantly (P less than 0.05) inhibited the AOM-induced adduct species. These results suggest that dietary oltipraz enhances the colonic and liver glutathione S-transferase activity and reduced the formation of DNA adducts. In addition, dietary oltipraz modulates liver and colonic ODC and TPK activities that have been shown to play a role in tumor promotion.

Animals

Effect of different levels of calorie restriction on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats.

Epidemiological and animal model studies indicate that increased calorie intake increases the risk for colon cancer development. Previous studies in animal models restricted the calorie intake severely, and none of these studies have investigated a dose-response effect of different levels of calorie restriction on colon carcinogenesis. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of various levels of calorie restriction on colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats fed the low and high fat diets and the effect of these diets on the activities of colonic mucosal and tumor ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and protein tyrosine kinase. Starting at 5 weeks of age, groups of male F344 rats were fed the low fat or high fat diets ad libitum. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except the vehicle-treated groups were given s.c. injections of azoxymethane (AOM) (15 mg/kg body weight, once weekly for 2 weeks). Four days after the second injection, groups of animals were restricted to 90, 80, or 70% of total calories consumed by the high fat ad libitum group (i.e., 10, 20, and 30% calorie restriction, respectively). In the low fat groups, animals were restricted to 80% of total calories consumed by the low fat ad libitum group (i.e., 20% restriction). Thirty-six weeks after AOM injections, all animals were necropsied and colon tumors were used for histopathology and ODC and protein tyrosine kinase analysis. In the second experiment, the protocol was the same as above except that the animals were sacrificed 5 days after the second AOM injection and colonic mucosal ODC and protein tyrosine kinase activities were assayed. The incidence and multiplicity of colon tumors were significantly inhibited in animals fed the high fat 20% calorie-restricted and high fat 30% calorie-restricted diets, as compared to those fed the high fat ad libitum diet. The regression coefficient representing the dose-response effect of different levels of calorie restriction in both high fat groups is significant. Results also indicate that AOM treatment significantly increased the colonic mucosal ODC and protein tyrosine kinase activities. This stimulation was inhibited by feeding the calorie-restricted diets. ODC and protein tyrosine kinase activities were lower in the colon tumors of animals fed the calorie-restricted diets.

Animals