Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Ito

Publications and source records attributed to N Ito.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

Enhancing potential of 6 different carcinogens on multi-organ tumorigenesis after initial treatment with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in rats.

The advantages of applying a whole-body concept to the assessment of carcinogenic potential of compounds in a two-stage model after initiation by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) were investigated. Male, 6-week-old F344 rats were injected with MNU (20 mg/kg, i.p.) twice a week for 4 weeks and they then received 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) (50 mg/kg, s.c., once a week), N,N'-dibutylnitrosamine (DBN) (0.05%, in drinking water), N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) (0.1%, in drinking water), diethylstilbestrol (DES) (2.5 ppm, in diet), sodium o-phenylphenate (S.OPP) (2%, in diet) or captafol (0.15%, in diet) for 20 weeks. All six carcinogens enhanced the incidences of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in their respective target organs: liver, pancreas, small intestine and urinary bladder with DMAB; liver, esophagus, forestomach and urinary bladder with DBN; thyroid, lung, liver, esophagus, forestomach, small intestine and urinary bladder with DHPN; liver and forestomach with DES; and thyroid, forestomach, kidney and urinary bladder with S.OPP; liver and forestomach with captafol. The results suggested that prior treatment with MNU sensitized the tissues to the organotropic carcinogenic potential of chemicals given thereafter for as short a period as 20 weeks. Thus, this system could be utilized as a whole-body medium-term bioassay system for the screening of environmental carcinogens, bridging the gap between in vitro mutagenicity and long-term carcinogenicity tests.

Animals↗

Induction of aberrant crypt foci in the large intestine of F344 rats by oral administration of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine.

Carcinogenicity of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) to rat colon was investigated using the appearance of colonic aberrant crypt (AC), a preneoplastic lesion, as a marker. The number of AC foci per colon at experimental week 4 was 1.3 +/- 0.8; almost half the level of AC foci induced by 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1), which is a known colon carcinogen. No ACs were observed in rats of the control group. A repeat experiment showed that induction of AC foci by PhIP administration was reproducible and a significant increase in the number of AC foci, 3.0 +/- 0.0, was observed after 12 weeks of PhIP administration. The majority of ACs induced by PhIP were localized in the distal part of the colon. The distribution was similar to those induced by Glu-P-1 and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. Those data suggested that PhIP is possibly carcinogenic to rat colon.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

Age-dependent induction of preneoplastic liver cell foci by 2-acetylaminofluorene, phenobarbital and acetaminophen in F344 rats initially treated with diethylnitrosamine.

Effects of age on the induction of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive hepatic foci in rats were examined using a medium-term liver bioassay system (for carcinogens). F344 male rats aged 6, 26 and 46 weeks were initially given a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg) and, beginning 2 weeks later, received 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), 0.05% phenobarbital (PB) or 1.3% acetaminophen (AAP) in the diet for 6 weeks. All animals were subjected to two-thirds hepatectomy 3 weeks after the DEN injection and were killed at week 8. Quantitative analysis of GST-P-positive foci revealed significantly (P less than 0.001) increased induction over control levels in terms of both numbers and areas for 2-AAF at all ages (6, 26 and 46 weeks), but especially in the 6-week-old case. In the PB- and AAP-treated groups, the respective enhancing and inhibitory influences were most pronounced in the animals aged 6 weeks, and were less marked in older rats. Thus, the response of F344 rats to the modifying effects of chemicals was age-dependent, the conclusion being drawn that young rats are more susceptible and therefore more appropriate for assessment of carcinogenic, promoting and inhibitory effects of chemicals.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Modifying effects of various chemicals on preneoplastic and neoplastic lesion development in a wide-spectrum organ carcinogenesis model using F344 rats.

Modifying potentials of various chemicals on tumor development were investigated in a wide-spectrum organ carcinogenesis model using male F344/DuCrj rats. The animals were treated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (100 mg/kg body weight, ip, single injection at the commencement of the study), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (20 mg/kg body weight, ip, 4 times during weeks 1 and 2) and N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (0.1% in drinking water, during weeks 3 and 4) for multi-organ initiation and then were given one of 14 test chemicals including 6 hepatocarcinogens, 7 non-hepatocarcinogens and 1 non-carcinogen, or basal diet for 16 weeks. All rats were killed at the end of week 20, and the major organs were carefully examined for preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Immunohistochemical demonstration of glutathione S-transferase-positive foci was also used for quantitative assessment of liver preneoplastic lesion development. Modifying effects were shown for 11 out of 14 test agents in the liver, forestomach, glandular stomach, lung, urinary bladder or thyroid, 7 of them targeting more than two organs. This was the first demonstration to our knowledge that clofibrate possesses enhancing potential for urinary bladder carcinogenesis and an inhibiting effect on thyroid carcinogenesis. Caprolactam showed no effect in any organ, in agreement with its established inactivity. The results indicated that the system could be reliably applied as a medium-term multiple organ bioassay for assessment of the modification potential of test agents in unknown target sites.

Administration, Oral↗

Organ-specific modification of tumor development by low-dose combinations of agents in a rat wide-spectrum carcinogenesis model.

The combined effects of low doses of various carcinogens and carcinogenesis modifiers on tumor development were investigated by using a wide-spectrum organ carcinogenesis model in F344 rats. These agents were administered as three groups: (1) a group of known hepatocarcinogens; (2) a group of nitroso compounds having various target organ specificities; and (3) a group of antioxidants having various inhibiting or enhancing activities depending on the target organ. Doses were used which were generally below the known effective level for the individual chemical. These groups of chemicals were administered with or without prior administration of N-diethylnitrosamine (100 mg/kg body wt., i.p.), N-methylnitrosourea (4 x 20 mg/kg body wt., i.p.) and dihydroxy-di-N-propylnitrosamine (0.1% in drinking water for 2 weeks). The hepatocarcinogen group in combination with various nitroso compounds increased the incidences of liver hyperplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas. In contrast, incidences were clearly reduced when the hepatocarcinogens and/or the nitroso compounds were administered in combination with the antioxidants. For the urinary bladder, the combination with nitroso compounds and antioxidants enhanced cancer development, and the addition of hepatocarcinogens further increased tumorigenesis. For the glandular stomach, additive effects on the numbers of pepsinogen isozyme 1-altered pyloric glands, a putative preneoplastic lesion, were produced by the combination treatment of antioxidants and the nitroso compounds. No synergistic effects on tumor development were seen in other organs. The results of the present study demonstrated that combinations of various compounds at low doses can additively or synergistically exert either enhancing or inhibitory effects on the development of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in different organs in a single model having a wide spectrum of organ effects.

Animals↗

Unusual clinical presentation of malignant histiocytosis in a 70-year-old woman.

A 70-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of hepatosplenomegaly, fever and elevated serum LDH levels. A biopsy specimen of the liver revealed histiocytic proliferation at the portal triad, and a mild degree of hepatitis. A bone marrow biopsy specimen showed proliferation of histiocytes with minimal immaturity and atypism, and haemophagocytosis by the proliferated histiocytes. Fever, hepatosplenomegaly and elevation of LDH levels all disappeared spontaneously, and presumptive diagnosis of benign reticulosis with haemophagocytosis was made. One year later, fever, hepatosplenomegaly and elevation of LDH levels redeveloped, and the liver and bone marrow biopsy specimen showed proliferation of unequivocally malignant histiocytes. The patient died as a result of disseminated intravascular coagulation with shock 20 d later. We concluded that, in this case, malignant histiocytosis first presented as benign haemophagocytic reticulosis and, 1 year later, there was a typical malignant presentation.

Aged↗

Diagnostic value of measurement of serum type I procollagen carboxy terminal peptides in patients with scirrhous carcinoma of the stomach.

We have evaluated the radioimmunoassay for type I procollagen carboxy terminal peptide (type I C-peptide), which is liberated from type I procollagen during its conversion to collagen, in the serodiagnosis of scirrhous carcinoma of the stomach. The mean (SD) serum concentration of type I C-peptide in 39 normal subjects was 41.7 (19.7) ng/ml. The mean serum values and the positive ratio of type I C-peptide in 11 patients with stages II and III scirrhous carcinoma of the stomach were 91.2 (41.9) ng/ml and 54.5%, respectively. In 10 patients with other types of gastric carcinoma, the mean type I C-peptide values were not significantly different from the normal value. Serum type I C-peptide values reflected the clinical course of scirrhous gastric carcinoma in five patients who underwent either operation or chemotherapy. The measurement of serum type I C-peptide concentrations could provide a useful way of diagnosing and monitoring scirrhous carcinoma of the stomach.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗

Immunohistochemical and biochemical identification of pepsinogen isozymes in the hamster lungs: induction by polychlorinated biphenyls.

Pepsinogens are acid protease enzymes of pepsin usually found in gastric mucosa. In the present study, we demonstrated the presence of pepsinogen isozymes in male Syrian golden hamster lung tissues by a combined immunohistochemical and biochemical approach. Immunohistochemically, using rat pepsinogen 1 antibody, pepsinogen positive cells were observed mainly in the epithelia of the terminal bronchioles. They demonstrated morphological features of Clara cells. The pepsinogen isozyme pattern of lung tissue determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was similar to that of stomach mucosa. Treatment of hamsters with polychlorinated biphenyls at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight ip caused a 2.8-fold increase in pepsinogen content (p less than 0.01) as well as increase in numbers of pepsinogen positive cells in the lung.

Animals↗

Expression of blood group A and B antigens in nuclear heterochromatin in mucous cells of human cervical glands.

Using a post-embedding immunogold labeling procedure, we found that monoclonal antibody against A (MAb-A) or B antigen (MAb-B) reacted with nuclear heterochromatin regions, as well as secretory granules, in mucous cells of human cervical glands. Systematic and critical observation of specimens from 24 individuals of different blood groups revealed that the labeling pattern with MAb with strictly dependent on the blood group (A,B, or O) of the donors, i.e., MAb-A reacted with the heterochromatin from blood group A and AB but not with B and O individuals. Labeling with MAb-B was also specific for the heterochromatin from blood group B donors. On the other hand, MAb against H antigen did not react with the heterochromatin from any individuals examined, despite the fact that H antigens were detected by the MAb in secretory granules. Such specific reactions provide evidence that certain types of blood group-related antigens exist in the nuclear heterochromatin in mucous cells of human cervical glands. In contrast to the secretory granules in which ABH antigens were recognized by blood group-specific lectin, heterochromatin regions had little or no affinity for these lectins. Furthermore, the secretory status of individuals affected the staining intensity with MAb in secretory granules but not in the heterochromatin. These results suggest that the blood group substances found in the heterochromatin may have different molecular properties from those in the secretory granules, although both have the same determinant structures of ABH antigens.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Effect of a highly potent fluoro analog of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on human bone-derived cells.

The fluorine introduced analog of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3] is 5-10 times more potent than 1,25-(OH)2D3 in vitamin D-deficient rats and chicks. In this study we established cultures of human bone cells in order to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the higher activity of this compound. The effects of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 and 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1,23(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3[26,27-F6-1,23(S),25-(OH)3D3], the postulated main metabolite of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3, were assessed by the response of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 increased ALP activity in a dose-related fashion, from a concentration of 10(-11) M and caused a 3-fold elevation at a concentration of 10(-9) M. To achieve the same stimulating effect on ALP activity, the required dose of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 was 100 times less than that of 1,25-(OH)2D3. Analysis of the receptors of these cells revealed that they have specific receptors for 1,25-(OH)2D3, which have a dissociation constant of 0.9 x 10(-10) M. The competitive binding assays of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 on these receptors showed that binding ability of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 is almost the same as that of 1,25-(OH)2D3. Therefore, receptor binding affinity does not account for the higher potency of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3. The trihydroxylated compound, 26,27-F6-1,23(S),25-(OH)3D3 revealed almost the same stimulatory activity on ALP activity in these cells. The most likely explanation for the higher activity of 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 than 1,25-(OH)2D3 is that 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 is metabolized to 26,27-F6-1,23(S),25-(OH)3D3, which has almost the same activity as 26,27-F6-1,25-(OH)2D3 in target tissues, whereas 1,25-(OH)2D3 is degraded to less active metabolites such as 1,24,25-(OH)3D3.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Design and synthesis of antitumor compounds based on the cytotoxic diterpenoids from the genus Rabdosia.

Two active sites responsible for antitumor activity, an oxirane ring and an alpha-methylene-cyclopentanone moiety, have been extracted from studies on the structure-activity relationship of the cytotoxic diterpenoids isolated from Rabdosia shikokiana. Series of the simplified cyclopentanone derivatives containing both of the two active sites in the molecule have been synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity against P 388 cells. The compounds possessing both of two active sites displayed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml, while those possessing a single active site showed no activity.

Animals↗

Decrease in erythrocyte survival in Theileria sergenti-infected calves determined by non-radioactive chromium labelling method.

Pathogenesis of anemia in the calves infected with Theileria sergenti was investigated from the viewpoint of erythrocyte survival decrease in the circulating blood. For investigation of erythrocyte survival a method of erythrocyte labelling with non-radioactive chromium (50Cr) was utilized. It was found that (1) the erythrocyte survival decreased markedly in the T. sergenti-infected calves compared with that in the uninfected calves; the survival rate of 25.7% for infected calves and 86.0% for uninfected ones on the fourth day after re-introduction of the labelled erythrocytes into the original donors, and that (2) the survival of non-parasitized erythrocytes in the infected calves was also decreased, which indicates no obvious relationship between parasitism and decrease in survival of erythrocytes.

Anemia↗

[A three-dimensional computerized reconstruction of the rectum, anus and surrounding muscles of the rat fetus at the 20th gestation day].

Using fetuses of Wistar/I rats on the 20th gestation day. We designed a three-dimensional computerized reconstruction of the rectum, anus and the surrounding muscles. The tissues were fixed in Bouin's solution sagittally sectioned serially were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Light microscopic pictures at 40 x magnification were subjected to the analysis using a three-dimensional image processing system, consisting of a drum-scanner, a general purpose computer (Micro VAX II), and a color image processor. The results showed that this system clearly reconstructed the three-dimensional image of the rectum, anus and the surrounding muscles and suggested the presence of the puborectal muscle sling.

Anal Canal↗

Multistage carcinogenesis of liver-fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand.

In northeast Thailand, the traditional habit of eating ground, raw freshwater and salt-fermented fish on a daily basis results in a local population repeatedly exposed to both liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) infection and consuming nitrosamine-contaminated food from early in life. Epidemiological studies have revealed a coincident high prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in this region and we have demonstrated in animal models that dietary contamination with nitrosamines and Opisthorchiasis are strong predisposing factors for cholangiocarcinogenesis. Thus all Syrian golden hamsters receiving a combination of subcarcinogenic doses of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and infection with flukes developed cholangiocarcinomas, while chemical administration or fluke infection alone did not cause cancer. Synergistic induction by chemical carcinogens and liver fluke infection was found to be related to levels of exposure to both. In this two-stage carcinogenesis model, nitrosamines are considered to act as genotoxicants exerting carcinogenic effects, while the liver flukes are assumed to play epigenetic roles. In our studies of biliary pathology related to worm burden in humans we found that while most of the subjects had worms, only a minority (25%) demonstrated a pathology of adenomatous hyperplasia, which is believed to predispose bile ducts to subsequent development of carcinomas, indicating the possible role of flukes as promoters. Biliary changes in nontumorous areas of hepatectomy specimens, including fibrosis (with or without adenomatous hyperplasia) which is found in most cases, and dysplasia in the fibrotic ducts indicate a conversion event in carcinogenesis: other factors may be required to aggravate the simple proliferation lesion so that they subsequently change to carcinomas. Furthermore, commonality in tumor phenotypes and expressions of ras p21 in both fluke related and non-fluke-related cholangiocarcinomas suggest that some similar mechanisms might be operating, at least in the relatively late stages of this multistage carcinogenesis involving the bile ducts.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗

Mechanistic analysis of multistage carcinogenesis in the rat prostate.

A new rat model of prostatic carcinomas has been developed using F344 rats and 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB). Immunohistochemical and biochemical investigation using polyclonal antibodies against DMAB-modified DNA showed DMAB-DNA adducts to be formed in all parts of the prostate including the seminal vesicles. DMAB normally induces in situ carcinomas limited to the ventral prostate. However, when it is given together with and followed by testosterone propionate (TP), invasive adenocarcinomas, some of which demonstrated metastatic growth in other organs, arose from the dorsolateral and anterior prostate and seminal vesicles, indicating that exogenous testosterone can exert strong enhancing effects on chemically induced carcinogenesis in these lobes of the rat prostate. Sequential observation has indicated that atypical hyperplasias are premalignant lesions and that testosterone plays a key role in the promotion and progression stages of prostate tumor development. By analogy, it is suggested that testosterone may exert equivalent influence on progression of prostate neoplasia in man. In the present studies low incidences of mutations were detected in p53 or K-ras genes in noninvasive and invasive rat prostate carcinomas induced by DMAB.

Animals↗