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Biomedical subjects

D S Longnecker

Publications and source records attributed to D S Longnecker.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Relationship of age to prevalence of focal acinar cell dysplasia in the human pancreas.

The prevalence of focal dysplastic lesions of acinar cells in the pancreata of autopsied children and adults was compared. The lesions were recognized in sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin because acinar cells forming islet-sized foci or larger nodules contained one or more of the following cytologic abnormalities: reduced cytoplasmic basophilia, reduced cytoplasm, reduced zymogen, cytoplasmic vacuoles, or nuclear abnormalities. Lesions were found in only 1 patient (age, 7 yr) of 170 patients whose ages ranged from birth to 9 years, whereas 7 of 49 patients 10-19 years old had focal acinar cell dysplasia. The prevalence of such lesions among adults was comparable to that encountered in individuals during the second decade of life and distinctly higher than that found among children during the first decade. Six of the 8 children in whom dysplastic acinar cell foci were found had cancers in other tissues that had been treated by chemotherapy. The data are consistent with the interpretation that dysplastic acinar cell lesions in the pancreas are acquired.

Adolescent↗

Pathologic and biochemical effects of azaserine in inbred Wistar/Lewis rats and noninbred CD-1 mice.

Inbred W/LEW rats and noninbred CD-1 mice were compared for responsiveness to induction of pancreatic adenocarcinomas by azaserine. At 1 year following the first of 15 weekly ip injections of 10 mg azaserine/kg body weight, the rats had a pancreatic adenoma incidence of 71% (12/17) and a pancreatic adenocarcinoma incidence of 35% (6/17), with 1 invasive adenocarcinoma. The mice showed none of these advanced lesions, although numerous pancreatic atypical acinar cell nodules (AACN) were present. An examination of the number and size of the AACN showed the rats to hve more and larger AACN thatn did the mice. The concentration of [14C]azaserine and/or its metabolites was greater in rat pancreas than in mouse pancreas. Alkaline sucrose gradients were used to compare azaserine-induced pancrewtic and liver DNA damage in W/LEW and F344 rats, the CD-1 mouse, the Syrian golden hamster, and the strain 13 guinea pig. DNA damage was detected 1 hour following azaserine administration in both pancreata and livers of all animals tested and persisted for at least 1 week in the pancreata of all animals except the CD-1 mouse; however, neither the degree nor persistence of DNA damage accurately reflected the differing responsiveness of these species to induction of pancreatic AACN or neoplasms by azaserine.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Carcinogenicity in rats of the nitrosourea amino acid N delta-(N-methyl-N-nitrosocarbamoyl)-L-ornithine.

The carcinogenicity of the nitrosourea amino acid, N delta-(N-methyl-N-nitrosocarbamoyl)-L-ornithine (MNCO), and its acute cytotoxicity were studied in Wistar rats. MNCO treatment induced a high incidence of neoplasms in breast, kidney, and skin and a lower incidence of tumors in the exocrine pancreas and ear duct. The duration of these studies was limited by toxicity and carcinogenicity to six months in a high dose group which received 1 mmole MNCO/kg IP weekly for 6 months and to 1 year in a group which received 0.33 mmole/kg. In the latter group the incidence of neoplasms was breast, 40%; skin, 52%; kidney, 81%; pancreas, 19%; and ear duct, 4%. All pancreases in this group also contained foci of fibrosis and cyst formation, and atypical acinar cell nodules. Acute cytotoxic effects were noted in pancreas, kidney and skin after a single IP injection of 3 mmoles/kg although this dose caused no deaths acutely.

Animals↗

Response of the Syrian golden hamster to a nitrosourea amino acid carcinogen.

Syrian golden hamsters were treated with N delta-(N-methyl-N-nitrosocarbamoyl)-L-ornithine (MNCO), a nitrosourea amino acid, which has induced a high incidence of breast, kidney and skin neoplasms and a low incidence of pancreatic carcinoma in rats. MNCO induced a few breast and skin carcinomas, and a high incidence of foci of atypical acinar cells and of focal ductular abnormalities in the exocrine pancreas. The latter were similar to lesions observed in rats treated with MNCO. MNCO was less toxic and less effective as a carcinogen in hamster than in the rat.

Animals↗

Transplantation of azaserine-induced carcinomas of pancreas in rats.

Two pancreatic adenocarcinomas which had been induced in Wistar/Lewis rats by azaserine treatment were transplanted into rats of the same strain by subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injection of minced tumor. Subsequently, we have serially transplanted into non-radiated recipients. Transplanted tumors have maintained evidence of acinar cell differentiation including the presence of zymogen granules in tumors studied by electron microscopy, and of lipase, amylase and trypsin activity in the supernatant of tumor homogenates. Histologically, the tumors vary from poorly differentiated solid carcinomas to well differentiated variants which form acini. Transplanted tumors are locally invasive and have metastasized to lung and liver in some recipients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the liver.

An unusual case of adenomatous hyperplasia of the liver arose spontaneously in an 82-year-old woman. Massive fatal ascites developed during an eight-week period in the absence of cirrhosis. No drug, chemical, or hormone could be identified as the causative agent. Estrogens may play a role as possible promoters in the growth of hepatic tumors. Identifying liver tumors in women that are not associated with oral contraceptive use is valuable.

Aged↗

Response of two rodents, Mastomys natalensis and Mystromys albicaudatus, to the pancreatic carcinogen azaserine.

The response of two rodents to azaserine carcinogenicity for the pancreas was evaluated. Mystromys albicaudatus was not responsive; however, Mastomys natalensis developed large numbers of atypical acinar cell nodules and several adenomas in a 6-month study. Mastomys is the most responsive of several animals in which azaserine has been studied as a pancreatic carcinogen.

Adenoma↗

Effect of age on nodule induction by azaserine and DNA synthesis in rat pancreas.

The efficacy of various azaserine treatment durations was evaluated with respect to induction of atypical acinar cell nodules in Wistar rat pancreas and was related to animal age and rate of pancreatic DNA synthesis during growth. The sensitivity to nodule induction was maximal in postnatal rats when the rate of pancreatic DNA synthesis was high, whereas treatment of weanlings was less effective and treatment of mature rats was least effective. When weaned growing rats were given 1, 3, or 5 weekly injections of 30 mg azaserine/kg, the number of nodules induced was proportional to the number of injections. A single dose at this level did not induce detectable pancreatic necrosis or inflammation; therefore, DNA synthesis due to regeneration was probably not a major factor in the initiation of nodules. We concluded that multiple daily injections of [3H]thymidine during the first or second postnatal week provided DNA of sufficiently high specific activity for use in DNA repair and biochemical toxicity studies.

Aging↗

Species and rat strain variation in pancreatic nodule induction by azaserine.

Subtoxic doses of azaserine induced atypical acinar cell nodules (AACN) in the pancreases of outbred Wistar rats, inbred W/LEW and F344 rats, and outbred Charles River CD-1 albino mice 4-6 months after initiation of treatment in the growing animal. These AACN apparently represented preneoplastic lesions, some of which have the potential to develop into adenomas or adenocarcinomas. Wistar and W/LEW rats were highly responsive to nodule induction; AACN developed in about 90% of the outbred Wistar rats and in all of the W/LEW rats tested. F344 rats were less susceptible and developed about 10% as many AACN as the Wistar rats. Female rats developed approximately half as many AACN as males. The mouse was intermediate in response between the F344 and the two Wistar rats. Syrian golden hamsters and strain 13 guinea pigs were relatively unresponsive. These studies of azaserine-induced AACN provided a basis for selection of carcinogenic azaserine regimens and suggested that the young male W/LEW rat was the most sensitive of the animals studied.

Animals↗

Environmental factors and diseases of the pancreas.

The five major diseases of the pancreas together make a significant contribution to morbidity and mortality among the people of the United States. These diseases are diabetes, cystic fibrosis, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas. Four of these diseases can be modeled in laboratory animals by acute or chronic administration of chemical poisons or carcinogens. Human pancreatic diseases attributed to the effect of chemical agents including alcohol and drugs include many cases of chronic pancreatitis and some cases of acute pancreatitis. The cause is not known in many cases of human pancreatitis, including interstitial, acute, and chronic clinical forms. Epidemiologic studies suggest that the increasing incidence of carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas in the United States may reflect chemical carcinogenesis. On the basis of experimental observations, we know that pancreatic islet cells can be damaged directly by toxic chemicals, and that islet cell tumors can be chemically induced. Thus, there is adequate background data to conclude that several pancreatic diseases of obscure etiology may be due in part to hitherto unidentified toxic effects of chemical agents encountered in personal or general environments.

Aging↗

Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis (massive necrosis) with fat necrosis induced in mice by DL-ethionine fed with a choline-deficient diet.

Female, albino mice were fed a choline-deficient diet containing 0.5% DL-ethionine. All animals died within 5 days due to the development of an acute hemorrhagic pancreatis with fat necrosis throughout the peritoneal cavity. The apancreatitis was characterized by a massive necrosis of the exocrine parenchyma with intense hemorrhage and inflammatory reaction of the stroma. The sequence of histologic and ultrastructural alterations occurring in the acinar cells of the pancreas were studied in mice fed the diet for 1, 2, and 3 days. Major findings consited of accumulation of zymogen granules, vacuolation due to foci of cytoplasmic degradation, and alterations in the morphology of the zymogen granules. The pancreatitis appears to be due to intraparenchymal activation of zymogens, resulting from a synergistic action of choline deficiency with the basic toxicity of ethionine toward the acinar cells of the pancreas. The experimental model simulates closely the acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis with fat necrosis occurring in humans and may prove useful for exploring the pathogenesis of this condition.

Acute Disease↗

Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in azaserine-treated rats.

Development of a model of carcinoma of the pancreas in rats was approached by attempting to identify chemicals that (a) behave as mutagens and (b) localize in the pancreas following systemic administration; and then to study the effects of long-term administration. Azaserine was selected because it behaves as a direct-acting mutagen in two bacterial test systems and because tissue distribution studies showed concentration especially in kidney and pancreas. Groups of rats have been given i.p. injections once or twice weekly for 6 months, and rats have been autopsied after 6 to 18 months. During the first year pancreases developed (a) nodules of atypical exocrine cells which seem to represent hyperplastic foci and (b) encapsulated adenomas. After 1 year most pancreases from treated rats are diffusely abnormal and contain many hyperplastic nodules and adenomas, while more than one-quarter have had pancreatic adenocarcimona. Metastases have been observed in lymph nodes, liver, and lung. No carcinomas or adenomas have been observed in control rats. No other organ shows as high an incidence of involvement as pancreas, but renal neoplasms were frequent. Studies with another chemical O-(N-methyl-N-nitroso-beta-alanyl)-L-serine, are at an earlier stage. The tissue distribution of radioactivity following injection of a 14C-labeled sample is similar to that of azaserine; however, this compound is not a direct-acting bacterial mutagen. Rats treated for 6 months twice weekly i.p. have a higher incidence of nodules of atypical acinar cells than did controls, although the number of nodules per rat is few. No adenomas or carcinomas have been found during 13 months of the study. We conclude that azaserine is a carcinogen in rats and causes major abnormalities of growth and differentiation of the exocrine pancreas, including adenocarcinoma in some rats. O-(N-Methyl-N-mitroso-beta-alanyl)-L-serine had less effect than azaserine on pancreatic growth and differentiation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Recovery of pancreas from mild puromycin-induced injury. A histologic and ultrastructure study in rats.

Pancreatic acinar cells undergo degeneration or necrosis following injection of puromycin intraperitoneally in rats. The purpose of this study was to characterize recovery following injection of four hourly doses of puromycin, 40mg/kg of body weight, examining the pancreas histologically and by electron microscopy. The number of dividing acinar cells increased following injury. By 12 to 24 hours following treatment, electron microscopy showed numerous autophagic vacuoles and intracisternal granules in the cells. By 48 hours, these were largely cleared from surviving cells although the intracisternal granules persisted in isolated acinar cells as long as 144 hours. At 24 hours, there was debris in the acinar lumens and interstitial space. We conclude that some acinar cells injured by puromycin may survive and be restored to normal structure; that surviving acinar cells can extrude autophagic vacuoles; and that necrotic acinar cells are replaced by regeneration following puromycin-induced injury in rats.

Animals↗