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B S Reddy

Publications and source records attributed to B S Reddy.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Lack of tumorigenicity of cholesterol epoxides and estrone-3,4-quinone in the rat mammary gland.

The purpose of this study is to test the long-standing hypothesis that endogenous agents found in human breast fluid and in plasma are potential initiators of breast cancer. Therefore, we evaluated the tumorigenicity in the mammary glands of female CD rats of cholestan-5 alpha,6 alpha-epoxy-3 beta-ol (cholesterol-alpha-epoxide), cholestan-5 beta,6 beta-epoxy-3 beta-ol (cholesterol-beta-epoxide), and 1,5(10)estradiene-3,14,17-trione (estrone-3,4-quinone). As a positive control, trans-3,4-dihydroxy-anti-1,2-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthren e (BcPDE) was used. Rats were fed a high-fat AIN-76A diet (23.5% corn oil) to mimic the Western dietary composition. Because literature data suggest that the endogenous agents tested in this study are weak electrophiles, the total doses of cholesterol epoxides (12.3 mumol/rat) and of estrone-3,4-quinone (30 mumol/rat)were 10- and 25- fold higher, respectively, than that of BcPDE (1.2 mumol/rat). Each agent was dissolved in DMSO, and one-sixth of the total dose was injected under each of six nipples on the right side. The thoracic glands of the rat were treated at 30 days of age, and those located in the inguinal area were treated on the following day. The experiment was terminated at 44 weeks after treatment. Consistent with our previous study, BcPDE was a strong mammary carcinogen. However, there were no differences between rats treated with DMSO alone or those receiving DMSO containing cholesterol-alpha-epoxide, cholesterol-beta-epoxide, or estrone-3,4-quinone. The results of this study clearly indicate, for the first time, that metabolites derived from cholesterol and estrone lack tumorigenic activity in the rat mammary gland, at least under the conditions of the present protocol.

Animals↗

Modulating effect of amount and types of dietary fat on colonic mucosal phospholipase A2, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activities, and cyclooxygenase metabolite formation during different stages of colon tumor promotion in male F344 rats.

Epidemiological and laboratory animal model studies suggest that the effect of dietary fat in colon carcinogenesis depends not only on the amount but on its fatty acid composition. Animal model studies demonstrated that high dietary corn oil or safflower oil rich in omega-6 fatty acids increased the colon tumor promotion, whereas diets containing fish oil high in omega-3 fatty acids had no such enhancing effect. One of the mechanisms by which high dietary fat enhances colon carcinogenesis may be through the modulation of colonic mucosal phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), which are dominant pathways for arachidonic acid release and formation of eicosanoids. PI-PLC is also responsible for diacylglycerol formation and protein kinase C-dependent signal transduction and cell proliferation. In the present study, we investigated the modulating effect of high fat diets rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on colonic mucosal PLA2, PI-PLC activities, and eicosanoid (prostaglandins and thromboxane B2) formation from arachidonic acid via cyclooxygenase (COX) during different stages of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. At 5 weeks of age, groups of animals were fed the low-fat diet containing 5% corn oil. Beginning at 7 weeks of age, all animals except those intended for vehicle treatment received AOM s.c. once weekly for 2 weeks at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body weight. Vehicle-treated groups received an equal volume of normal saline. One day after the second AOM or vehicle treatment, groups of animals were transferred to experimental diets containing 23.5% corn oil and 20.5% fish oil + 3% corn oil, whereas one group continued on the low-fat diet containing 5% corn oil. Groups of animals were then sacrificed at weeks 1, 12, and 36 after the second AOM-or saline-treatment. Colonic mucosa harvested at weeks 1, 12, and 36 and colonic tumors obtained at week 36 were analyzed for PLA2, PI-PLC, and eicosanoid formation from arachidonic acid by the action of COX. The results demonstrate that colon carcinogen treatment increases the activities of colonic mucosal PLA2 and PI-PLC and the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxane A2 from arachidonic acid through COX throughout the study period compared to saline-treated animals fed similar diets. The activities of PLA2, PI-PLC, and COX were significantly higher in colon tumors compared to colonic mucosa. These results also demonstrate that a high-fat diet containing corn oil increases colonic mucosal and tumor PLA2 and PI-PLC and the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 by the action of COX as compared to low dietary corn oil or a diet high in fish oil. The results of our study offer one of the mechanisms by which the amount and types of dietary fat modulate colon carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Increased cyclooxygenase-2 levels in carcinogen-induced rat colonic tumors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Multiple studies show that continuous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lowers the risk of colon cancer in humans and carcinogen-treated rodents. One target for NSAIDs is cyclooxygenase (COX), and two isoforms of this enzyme have been identified: COX-1 and COX-2. The present study was undertaken to determine if there is differential expression of COX in colonic tumors in azoxymethane-treated rats. METHODS: COX-1 and COX-2 messenger RNA levels were determined by Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from colonic tumors and normal adjacent mucosa. COX-2 protein levels were determined by Western blotting analysis. Quantitation of relative band densities was performed using standard densitometry scanning techniques. RESULTS: There was a marked increase in COX-2 RNA levels in six of six colonic tumors compared with paired normal mucosa. In contrast, there was equivalent intensity of the COX-1 RNA transcript between the normal mucosa and tumor in all of the specimens examined. Western blotting analysis showed an increase in the level of the COX-2 protein in four of five of the colonic tumor samples. CONCLUSIONS: COX-2 but not COX-1 gene expression is markedly elevated in most colonic tumors examined in azoxymethane-treated rodents. COX-2 may provide a target for chemopreventive strategies for colorectal cancer.

Animals↗

Regional distribution of carcinogen-induced colonic neoplasia in the rat.

Carcinogen induction of neoplasms in rodent colon has been used as a model for human colon cancer development and for evaluating chemopreventive regimens. We studied the regional distribution of small and large intestinal tumors in 229 rats given azoxymethane (AOM) once weekly for two weeks (15 mg/kg sc). The AOM regimen induced 63% more tumors in distal (DC) than in proximal colon (PC), although tumor volume was greater in PC. A high-fat (23% corn oil) diet increased tumors in PC and DC (p < 0.01). Caloric restriction of 10-30% of the ad libitum diet progressively reduced DC tumor formation but did not alter PC tumors. Tumor volume was unaffected by either regimen. Small intestinal tumors were concentrated in the proximal 15 cm of the intestine and were unaffected by dietary manipulation. This AOM model of colon tumor formation approximates human colon cancer distribution and is an appropriate model for rodent chemopreventive studies.

Animals↗

Effects of dietary fat content on the metabolism of NNK and on DNA methylation induced by NNK.

The available data support the concept that high-fat diets increase cytochrome P-450 activities in the liver, leading to increased rates of carcinogen metabolism and, in some instances, DNA adduct formation. Therefore we investigated whether a high-fat diet can also influence DNA methylation by the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in the lungs of rats. Male F344 rats were fed a regular AIN-76A low-fat (5% corn oil) or AIN-76A high-fat (23.5% corn oil) diet. After three weeks on this dietary regimen, the animals were injected subcutaneously once daily for four days with NNK at 0.39 mmol/kg body wt. Groups of rats were sacrificed 4 and 24 hours after the last NNK administration; livers and lungs were excised for DNA isolation. We found that the high-fat diet significantly enhanced the formation of O6-methylguanine (O6-mGua) in the rat lung four hours (p < 0.01) after the last carcinogen administration. This may, in part, account for our previous finding in regard to the enhancing effect of the high-fat diet on NNK-induced lung carcinogenesis. There was no effect on O6-mGua or 7-mGua in the rat liver at either time point. To further elucidate the enhancing effect of the high-fat diet on DNA methylation by NNK in the lung, we determined its effect on the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of NNK. The in vitro data indicated that dietary fat has no measurable effect on liver and lung microsomal mixed-function oxidase in catalyzing the metabolic activation of NNK. The results of the metabolism study of NNK in vivo appear to be consistent with the in vitro finding, in that fat had no effect on the excretion pattern of NNK or on the distribution pattern of its urinary metabolites. It is apparent that the enhancing effect of the high-fat diet on O6-mGua in the lung of rats that was measured four hours after NNK injection requires future investigations.

Animals↗

Calcium carbonate treatment of diarrhoea in intestinal bypass patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of supplemental calcium carbonate on faecal water, calcium, bile acid and lipid concentration and output in intestinal bypass subjects with diarrhoea. DESIGN: Prospective, single-arm treatment trial of oral calcium carbonate, 2400 or 3600 mg Ca2+ per day, given for 12 weeks. METHODS: Faecal constituents were determined in wet or lyophilized stool of 24-h collections at baseline and at 12 weeks of study. Calcium was measured by absorption spectrophotometry. Bile acids, long-chain fatty acids and short-chain fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography. RESULTS: In 15 subjects, calcium supplementation reduced bowel frequency by a mean of 49%, faecal wet weight by a mean of 50% (1292 to 646 g per day), and dry weight by a mean of 36%, P < 0.001. Faecal water concentration was reduced from 76.4 +/- 1% to 70.2 +/- 2%, P < 0.01. Faecal water concentration was inversely correlated with dry faecal calcium concentration (r = -0.75 P = 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Calcium reduces the diarrhoea of intestinal bypass patients. It is suggested that the constipating effect of calcium may be related to reduction in faecal water.

Adult↗

Correlation of skin and nerve histopathology in leprosy.

Discrepancies have been noted in the histopathological findings between skin and nerve lesions of leprosy patients in some recent works. We studied concurrent skin and nerve biopsies in 27 randomly selected leprosy patients to correlate the histopathological features of skin and nerve lesions, and to assess the importance of neural histology in the classification of leprosy. Skin and nerve biopsies were diagnostic of leprosy in 23 and 26 patients, respectively. A discrepancy was found between the two in 15 cases. Neural histology was helpful in the classification of determinate forms in 24 cases while dermal histology was significant only in 16 patients. A multibacillary nerve and paucibacillary skin picture was observed in 3 patients. It was concluded that nerve biopsy is more informative and specific than skin biopsy in the diagnosis of leprosy and further helps to classify the patients when the skin histology is indeterminate or nonspecific.

Adolescent↗

Micronutrients as chemopreventive agents.

The concept of chemoprevention of cancer by micronutrients is based upon evidence from human epidemiology and from studies of animal carcinogenesis models for cancer-inhibiting potential of certain minerals and vitamins. These micronutrients are diverse with respect to chemical structures and physiological effects, and include calcium, selenium, carotenoids, and vitamins A, C, D and E. The dietary intake of various micronutrients has been observed to alter significantly the incidence and mortality of a variety of human cancers including those of the oesophagus, stomach, colon, breast and cervix. Studies of laboratory animal models have also provided relevant mechanistic and efficacy data on the role of specific micronutrients as well as minor non-nutrients of dietary origin in the carcinogenic process. Micronutrients and such minor non-nutrients have been found to modulate the formation and bioactivation of carcinogens, modify the promotion and progression of carcinogenesis, alter cellular and host defences, and affect cellular differentiation-ultimately leading to variations in tumour incidences. Our understanding of biochemical and biological mechanisms of carcinogenesis and of inhibition of initiation, promotion and progression by particular micronutrients-both naturally occurring forms and their synthetic analogues-has made it possible to develop strategies for clinical intervention by these agents. It is possible that intervention with individual micronutrients and minor non-nutrients, and/or with a combination of such compounds with different modes of action, will prevent, delay or reverse the process of carcinogenesis and thus reduce the incidence of and mortality due to human cancers. A number of Phase II clinical trials have been initiated with the objective of identifying and evaluating intermediate biomarkers that will be used as surrogate end points for cancer. Several surrogate end points have been standardized and validated for their specificity. The results are very encouraging.

Animals↗

Enhancement of experimental colon carcinogenesis by dietary 6-phenylhexyl isothiocyanate.

Naturally occurring and related synthetic isothiocyanates are known to exert chemopreventive effects in several organs in rodent models. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of 6-phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHITC), a potent chemopreventive agent in the lung tumor model in strain A mice, on azoxymethane-induced colon tumorigenesis. Another aim was to study the modulating effect of PHITC on colonic mucosal and tumor phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cyclooxygenase (COX) activities. At 5 weeks of age, groups of male F344 rats were fed control diet or diets containing 320 or 640 ppm of PHITC representing 40 and 80% maximum tolerated dose levels, respectively. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except those in the vehicle-treated groups were given two weekly s.c. injections of azoxymethane at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body weight/week. All animals continued on their respective dietary regimen for 52 weeks after the carcinogen treatment; then the study was terminated. Colonic mucosa and tumors were analyzed for PLA2, PI-PLC, prostaglandin (PG) E2, COX, and LOX activities. Intestinal tumors were evaluated histopathologically and classified as invasive or noninvasive adenocarcinomas. Intestinal tumor incidence (percentage of animals with tumors) and tumor multiplicity (tumors/animal; tumors/tumor-bearing animal) were compared among the dietary groups. At the 640-ppm dose level, dietary PHITC significantly increased the incidence of intestinal (small intestine plus colon) adenocarcinomas (P < 0.05) as well as the multiplicities of invasive and noninvasive adenocarcinomas of the colon (P < 0.05 to 0.01). At the 320-ppm dose level, PHITC increased the multiplicity (tumors/animal) of noninvasive adenocarcinomas and total (invasive plus noninvasive) adenocarcinomas of the colon (P < 0.05). Dietary PHITC also increased the colon tumor volume (2- to 4.3-fold) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PHITC significantly enhanced the activities of PLA2 (50-100%) and levels of PGE2 (2-fold) in the colonic mucosa and in tumors, but it had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on PI-PLC activity. The formation of COX metabolites, particularly PGE2, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane B2, as well as LOX metabolites such as 8(S)-, 12(S)- and 15 (S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, were significantly increased in the colonic mucosa and tumors of animals that were fed 640 ppm of PHITC. Although the exact mechanism by which PHITC promotes colon tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated, it is likely that the tumor-promoting effects of PHITC may, at least in part, be related to increased eicosanoid metabolism in the colon.

Animals↗

Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by phenylethyl-3-methylcaffeate.

Previous studies from this laboratory have established that caffeic acid esters present in propolis, a natural resin produced by honey bees, are potent inhibitors of human colon adenocarcinoma cell growth, carcinogen-induced biochemical changes, and preneoplastic lesions in the rat colon. The present study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive action of dietary phenylethyl-3-methylcaffeate (PEMC) on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis and to examine the modulating effect of PEMC on phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), phospholipase A2, lipoxygenase (LOX), and cyclooxygenase activities in the colonic mucosa and tumor tissues in male F344 rats. At 5 weeks of age, groups of rats were fed the control (modified AIN-76A) diet, or a diet containing 750 ppm of PEMC. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except those in the vehicle (normal saline)-treated groups were given 2 weekly s.c. injections of azoxymethane at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body weight/week. All groups were maintained on their respective dietary regimen until the termination of the experiment 52 weeks after the carcinogen treatment. Colonic tumors were evaluated histopathologically. Both colonic mucosa and tumors were analyzed for PI-PLC, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and LOX activities. The results indicate that dietary administration of PEMC significantly inhibited the incidence and multiplicity of invasive, noninvasive, and total (invasive plus noninvasive) adenocarcinomas of the colon (P < 0.05-0.004). Dietary PEMC also suppressed the colon tumor volume by 43% compared to the control diet. Animals fed the PEMC diet showed significantly decreased activities of colonic mucosal and tumor PI-PLC (about 50%), but PEMC diet had no effect on phospholipase A2. The production of 5(S)-, 8(S)-, 12(S)-, and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids via the LOX pathway from arachidonic acid was reduced in colonic mucosa and tumors (30-60%) of animals fed the PEMC diet as compared to control diet. PEMC had no effect on the formation of colonic mucosal cyclooxygenase metabolites but inhibited the formation in colonic tumors by 15-30%. The precise mechanism by which PEMC inhibits colon tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated. It is likely that the chemopreventive action may be related, at least in part, to the modulation of PI-PLC-dependent signal transduction and LOX-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism.

Animals↗

Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by sulindac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent.

Epidemiological and laboratory animal model studies have suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the risk of development of colon cancer. The present study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive action of 160 and 320 ppm (equivalent to 40 and 80% maximum tolerated doses) sulindac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, fed during initiation and postinitiation stages and 320 ppm sulindac fed during promotion/progression stages of azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. Also investigated was the modulating effect of this agent on the colonic mucosal and tumor phospholipase A2, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, lipoxygenase, and cyclooxygenase activities. At 5 weeks of age, groups of male F344 rats were fed control diet or diets containing 160 and 320 ppm of sulindac. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except those in the vehicle-treated groups were given two weekly s.c. injections of azoxymethane at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body weight/week. Animals intended for tumor promotion/progression study were administered 320 ppm of sulindac in diet starting at 14 weeks after a second azoxymethane treatment. All animals continued on their respective dietary regimen until the termination of the experiment at 52 weeks after the carcinogen treatment. Colonic tumors were evaluated histopathologically. Colonic mucosa and tumors were analyzed for phospholipase A2, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, prostaglandin E2, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase activities. The levels of sulindac and its metabolites in stomach, cecal, and fecal contents and in serum were analyzed. The results indicate that dietary sulindac at 160 and 320 ppm levels inhibited the incidence of invasive and noninvasive adenocarcinomas of the colon (P < 0.01-0.001) as well as their multiplicity (P < 0.01-0.0001) in a dose-dependent manner. Also, feeding sulindac during promotion/progression stages significantly suppressed the incidence (P < 0.0001) and multiplicity (P < 0.0001) of colonic adenocarcinomas. Dietary sulindac also suppressed the colon tumor volume by > 52-62% compared to the control diet. Dietary sulindac significantly decreased the activities of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (32-51%) and levels of prostaglandin E2 (> 40%) in the colonic mucosa and tumors, but it had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on phospholipase A2 activity. The formation of cyclooxygenase metabolites, particularly prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, prostaglandin D2, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, and thromboxane B2, and lipoxygenase metabolites such as 8(S)- and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids were significantly reduced in colonic mucosa and tumors of animals fed 320 ppm sulindac.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by dietary curcumin, a naturally occurring plant phenolic compound.

Human epidemiological and laboratory animal model studies have suggested that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs reduce the risk of development of colon cancer and that the inhibition of colon carcinogenesis is mediated through the alteration in cyclooxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid. Curcumin, which is a naturally occurring compound, is present in turmeric, possesses both antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been tested for its chemopreventive properties in skin and forestomach carcinogenesis. The present study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive action of dietary curcumin on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis and also the modulating effect of this agent on the colonic mucosal and tumor phospholipase A2, phospholipase C gamma 1, lipoxygenase, and cyclooxygenase activities in male F344 rats. At 5 weeks of age, groups of animals were fed the control (modified AIN-76A) diet or a diet containing 2000 ppm of curcumin. At 7 weeks of age, all animals, except those in the vehicle (normal saline)-treated groups, were given two weekly s.c. injections of azoxymethane at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body weight. All groups were continued on their respective dietary regimen until the termination of the experiment at 52 weeks after the carcinogen treatment. Colonic tumors were evaluated histopathologically. Colonic mucosa and tumors were analyzed for phospholipase A2, phospholipase C gamma 1, ex vivo prostaglandin (PG) E2, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase activities. The results indicate that dietary administration of curcumin significantly inhibited incidence of colon adenocarcinomas (P < 0.004) and the multiplicity of invasive (P < 0.015), noninvasive (P < 0.01), and total (invasive plus noninvasive) adenocarcinomas (P < 0.001). Dietary curcumin also significantly suppressed the colon tumor volume by > 57% compared to the control diet. Animals fed the curcumin diet showed decreased activities of colonic mucosal and tumor phospholipase A2 (50%) and phospholipase C gamma 1 (40%) and levels of PGE2 (> 38%). The formation of prostaglandins such as PGE2, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane B2 through the cyclooxygenase system and production of 5(S)-, 8(S)-, 12(S)-, and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids via the lipoxygenase pathway from arachidonic acid were reduced in colonic mucosa and tumors of animals fed the curcumin diet as compared to control diet. Although the precise mechanism by which curcumin inhibits colon tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated, it is likely that the chemopreventive action, at least in part, may be related to the modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism.

Animals↗

Chemoprevention of cancer by organoselenium compounds.

A major research goal of our laboratories is the development of new organoselenium cancer chemopreventive agents with less toxicity compared to some of the historical selenium compounds, such as sodium selenite. Ideally, such agents would be employed to inhibit tumor development in different organs caused by a variety of chemical carcinogens, particularly those present in the human environment. A series of organoselenium compounds has been synthesized and evaluated for their chemopreventive efficacy in vivo. Parallel to these studies, short-term in vitro and in vivo assays were employed to understand the mechanism of action and to rapidly evaluate their efficacy in eventual long-term preclinical investigations. We demonstrated that one of the most effective of these organoselenium compounds, 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC, Fig. 1), is capable of inhibiting tumors in the mammary glands, colon, and lung of laboratory animals. Dietary p-XSC inhibited mammary tumor development induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) during both the initiation and post-initiation phases of carcinogenesis in female CD rats. p-XSC inhibited DMBA-DNA adduct formation in the mammary glands. In collaboration with other laboratories, we demonstrated that p-XSC inhibited thymidine kinase in mammary tumor cell lines derived from both humans and rats. Employing mammary carcinoma cell lines, p-XSC was also shown to inhibit cell growth and induce a dose-dependent increase in cell death by apoptosis. In these assays p-XSC appears superior to selenite and to its sulfur analog, 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)thiocyanate. Dietary p-XSC decreased colon tumor induction by azoxymethane in F344 rats during both phases of carcinogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Regional chemoprevention of carcinogen-induced tumors in rat colon.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Rat colon neoplasms are distributed 60% in the distal colon (DC) and 40% in the proximal colon (PC), similar to distribution of colon cancers in the industrialized world. The effects of chemopreventive agents that affect colon tumor incidence on the distribution of colon tumors were studied. METHODS: Colon tumor distribution, numbers, and volumes were measured in the DC and PC of rats administered azoxymethane (15 mg/kg subcutaneously 2x) as an initiating agent and fed diets containing various chemopreventive agents. RESULTS: In control rats, azoxymethane-induced tumor incidence in the DC exceeded that in the PC, but tumor volume was greater in the PC than the DC. Ellagic acid showed no chemopreventive effect and maintained the PC-DC colon tumor gradient. Oltipraz, a modestly effective chemopreventive agent, principally reduced the incidence of DC tumors. DL-d-difluoromethylornithine also greatly altered tumor number in the DC compared with the PC. In contrast, piroxicam (400 ppm) reduced PC tumors by 82% but DC tumors only by 57%. With all regimens, tumor volume remained greater in the PC than the DC. CONCLUSIONS: Chemopreventive agents have a selective regional effect on colon tumorigenesis in the rat. Elucidation of the mechanism for these differences may help clarify the modes of action of chemopreventive agents in colon cancer.

Animals↗

Effect of fish oil on the development of AOM-induced glutathione S-transferase placental form positive hepatocellular foci in male F344 rats.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are contained in fish oils and certain vegetable oils in contrast to corn oil or safflower oil rich in omega-6 fatty acids (linoteic acid), have been reported to reduce the carcinogenesis in several organs. In this study, the modifying effect of menhaden fish oil was investigated on the occurrence of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive hepatocellular foci, recognized preneoplastic lesions in the liver, in male F344 rats. Starting at five weeks of age, groups of animals were fed ad libitum a semipurified diet containing 5% corn oil (low fat). At seven weeks of age, all animals except the vehicle-treated groups were injected subcutaneously with AOM (15 mg/kg body wt, 1x/wk for 2 wks). Four days after the second injection, groups of animals were fed the diets containing 4% menhaden oil + 1% corn oil (low fish oil diet), 22.5% menhaden oil + 1% corn oil (high fish oil diet), and 5% corn oil. Thirty-four weeks after AOM injections, all animals were necropsied. Livers were sectioned and performed immunohistochemical staining of GST-P for quantitative analysis of enzyme altered foci of the liver. The results demonstrate that the density and the unit area of AOM-induced enzyme altered foci in the liver were significantly lower in the high fish oil group (0.60 +/- 0.08/cm2, 3.0 +/- 0.4 x 10(-4)) than in the 5% corn oil group (2.71 +/- 0.33/cm2, 16.6 +/- 2.6 x 10(-4)) and the low fish oil group (1.66 +/- 0.33/cm2, 11.1 +/- 1.9 x 10(-4)).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Nutritional factors and colon cancer.

During the last 2 decades, substantial progress has been made in understanding the relationship between dietary constituents and the development of colon cancer in man. Unlike studies of cancer among smokers and nonsmokers, nutritional epidemiologic studies are confronted with the inherent difficulty of assessing reasonably precise exposures. The lack of consistency between international correlation studies and case-control studies does not necessarily negate a dietary etiology of colon cancer because these inconsistencies may have arisen, at least in part, from methodological limitations. Some of these deficiencies in epidemiological studies of diet and cancer have been corrected; recent case-control studies demonstrated that high dietary fat is a risk factor for colon cancer development and that an overall increase in intake of foods high in fiber might decrease the risk for colon cancer. The results of epidemiologic studies may be assumed to present conservative estimates of the true risk for cancer associated with diet. The populations with high incidences of colon cancer are characterized by high consumption of dietary fat, which may be a risk factor in the absence of factors that are protective, such as whole-grain cereals and of other high fiber. Laboratory-animal model studies have shown that certain dietary lipids and fibers influence tumorigenesis in the colon. The data of metabolic epidemiological and laboratory-animal model studies are sufficiently convincing with respect to the enhancement of colon cancer by type of fat and protection by certain dietary fibers.

Animals↗