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Preliminary analysis of azoxymethane induced colon tumors in inbred mice commonly used as transgenic/knockout progenitors.

Azoxymethane (AOM) is a colon carcinogen that is used to study the pathogenesis of sporadic colorectal cancer. We have evaluated differential susceptibility to AOM in inbred mice used as progenitors of recombinant/transgenic lines. In experiment 1, male FVB/N, 129/SvJ, C57Bl/6J mice were treated i.p. with 10 mg/kg AOM once per week for 4 weeks and sacrificed after 20 weeks. Only AOM-treated FVB/N mice developed tumors (3.6 tumors/mouse) in distal colon. In experiment 2, A/J, AKR/J, Balb/CJ mice were treated with AOM for 6 weeks and sacrificed after 24 weeks. AOM-treated A/J and Balb/CJ mice developed 9.2 and 1 tumor/mouse, respectively. Despite these differences, tumors had similar morphology regardless of strain. Immunohistochemistry with beta-catenin resulted in marked nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of tumor cells in FVB/N. However, fainter and heterogeneous beta-catenin staining was observed in A/J tumors, suggesting distinct pathways of tumorigenesis in different strains. Irrespective of cytological features of malignancy, tumor cells rarely breached the muscularis mucosa and showed no evidence of distant metastasis. Lack of invasiveness and metastasis in even the most sensitive strains provides a model system for studying the potential role of 'metastasis genes' in imparting a malignant phenotype.

Animals↗

Ursodeoxycholic acid and F(6)-D(3) inhibit aberrant crypt proliferation in the rat azoxymethane model of colon cancer: roles of cyclin D1 and E-cadherin.

We have previously demonstrated that ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) and a fluorinated analogue of vitamin D(3), F(6)-D(3),inhibited colonic carcinogenesis in the azoxymethane (AOM) model. Generalized colonic mucosal hyperproliferation and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) are intermediate biomarkers of colon cancer. Using these biomarkers, in this study we examined the anticarcinogenic mechanisms of these chemopreventive agents. Rats were maintained on AIN-76A chow or supplemented with 0.4% UDCA or F(6)-D(3) (2.5 nmol/kg chow) and treated weekly with AOM 20 mg i.p./kg wt or saline x 2 weeks. F(6)-D(3) was continued for an additional 2 weeks and UDCA for the duration of the study. At 40 weeks, animals received bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) i.p. 2 h before sacrifice. A portion of each tumor was fixed in formalin and the remainder flash frozen. Colons were divided longitudinally and half-fixed in formalin and half in ethanol. The size and location of methylene blue-stained ACF were recorded. Cell proliferation (BrdUrd labeling) and apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay) were measured in colonic crypts and tumors. Protein expression levels of several regulators of cell proliferation were analyzed by immunostaining and Western blotting. Colonic crypt cyclin D1 and E-cadherin mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR. In saline injected controls, neither UDCA nor F(6)-D(3) alone had any effect on cytokinetic parameters or on the expression of mitogenic regulators. AOM significantly increased the proliferation (percentage of BrdUrd-positive cells) of both ACF (23.1 +/- 1.7%) and non-ACF crypts (17.6 +/- 1.6%), compared with normal colonic crypts (4.5 +/- 0.8%; P < 0.05). This hyperproliferation was accompanied by a 5-fold increase in cyclin D1 and >50% decrease in E-cadherin protein (P < 0.05) in ACF, both of which are predicted to be growth-enhancing alterations. UDCA and F(6)-D(3) significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited AOM-induced crypt cell hyperproliferation, ACF development, and tumor burden. These chemopreventive agents also significantly blocked AOM-induced alterations in cyclin D1 and E-cadherin protein in ACF and tumors. In ACF, changes in mRNA levels of cyclin D1, but not E-cadherin, paralleled alterations in protein expression. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase were increased in AOM tumors but not in ACF, and these changes were blocked by UDCA and F(6)-D(3). UDCA and F(6)-D(3) significantly inhibited ACF development and hyperproliferation, in part, by preventing carcinogen-induced alterations in cyclin D1 and E-cadherin. In established tumors, UDCA and F(6)-D(3) also limited inductions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, which together with their effects on cyclin D1 and E-cadherin, contribute to their chemopreventive actions.

Animals↗

A water-soluble extract from cultured medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) mycelia suppresses azoxymethane-induction of colon cancers in male F344 rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of a dietary water-soluble extract from cultured medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi or Mannentake) mycelia (designated as MAK) on the induction and development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon tumors in male F344/Du Crj rats. A total of 80 animals were divided into five groups at six weeks of age, groups 2, 3 and 4 being given weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) for the initial 3 weeks to induce colon tumors. Rats in group 1 and 5 were injected with the vehicle, 0.9% (w/v) saline, following the same schedule. Rats in groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed MF, MF, 1.25% MAK, 2.5% MAK and 2.5% MAK diets, respectively, starting 1 week before AOM treatment and throughout the six-month experimental period. There were no significant differences in number of ACF, total AC and AC per site among groups 2 to 4, but the tumor incidence was significantly lower, and tumor size was smaller in group 4 (AOM + 2.5% MAK) than in group 2 (AOM + MF). Additionally, beta-catenin positive tumor cell nuclei were significantly decreased in the MAK-fed rats (groups 3 and 4), which also demonstrated lowering of the PCNA labeling index and a shortened germinal region in the colon. The present results thus indicate that dietary MAK could act as a potent chemopreventive agent for colon carcinogenesis.

Adenoma↗

Age-dependent susceptibility to azoxymethane-induced and spontaneous tumorigenesis in the Min/+ mouse.

We examined the age-dependent susceptibility to azoxymethane (AOM)-induced and spontaneous tumorigenesis in the Min/+ mouse, a murine FAP model. The colon carcinogen AOM was given to pups (weeks 1 and 2) and young adults (weeks 4 and 5). In the colon, AOM exposure of pups and young adults caused a 17-fold and 10-fold increase (p < 0.001) in the number of dysplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) compared with vehicle-treated controls, respectively; the pups were 1.7 times mores susceptible than young adults (p = 0.002). AOM-specific dysplastic ACF grew significantly faster (p < 0.001) in pups than in young adults. In the small intestine of AOM-exposed pups, the number of adenomas was increased 1.5-fold compared with controls (p < 0.001), while a similar exposure of young adults did not affect the tumorigenesis. Dysplastic ACF in the colon were morphologically equivalent with nascent adenomas in the small intestine. When comparing the size distributions of AOM-specific and spontaneous lesions the majority of the spontaneous lesions was apparently initiated before week 2. In conclusion, pups were more susceptible than young adults to AOM-induced and spontaneous tumorigenesis, and neonatal exposure was not as critical for AOM-induced tumorigenesis in the colon as in the small intestine.

Adenoma↗

Effect of chemopreventive agents on intermediate biomarkers during different stages of azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Chemoprevention of colon cancer is emerging as an alternative to therapy with a broad potential for reducing cancer incidence in defined high-risk groups and the general population. Besides several chemopreventive agents in use and under investigation, D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and piroxicam have been shown to effectively inhibit colon carcinogenesis in rodents. A variety of proliferation-related parameters have been suggested as potential intermediate markers of cancer risk that could be used to monitor the progress of chemoprevention in clinical trials. We have investigated the effect of chemopreventive agents, DFMO, and piroxicam on mucosal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and tyrosine-specific protein kinase (TPK) activities during different stages of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic carcinogenesis in male F344 rats in order to examine the plausibility of using these enzymes as intermediate biochemical markers of colon cancer. Groups of male F344 rats were fed modified AIN-76A diets containing 0 or 150 ppm piroxicam or 4000 ppm DFMO and given s.c. injections of AOM dissolved in normal saline at a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight/week, once weekly, for 4 weeks. Vehicle control groups received s.c. equal volumes of normal saline. Groups of animals were then sacrificed at 0, 4, 16, 24, and 32 weeks after AOM or saline treatment, and their colonic mucosa was analyzed for ODC and TPK activities. AOM treatment significantly increased mucosal ODC as well as TPK activities. AOM-induced ODC and TPK activities were significantly suppressed by dietary DFMO progressively at all stages of colon carcinogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Inhibition of azoxymethane-induced DNA adduct formation by Aloe arborescens var. natalensis.

To clarify the possible mechanisms of inhibition of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the rat colorectum by freeze-dried whole leaves of Aloe arborescens var. natalensis (Kidachi aloe) (hereinafter referred to as ALOE) and commercial crude aloin (Sigma A-0451; from Curacao aloe) (hereinafter ALOIN), we studied the effects of ALOE and ALOIN on the formation of AOM-induced DNA adducts (O6-methylguanine; O6-MeG) in rats. Male F344 rats (4 weeks old) were fed a basal diet, or experimental diets containing 5%ALOE or 0.25%ALOIN for 5 weeks. All rats were injected s.c. twice with 15 mg/kg AOM, once at the end of week 1, and once at the end of week 2. The animals were sacrificed 6 hours after the second injection to analyze DNA adducts (O6-MeG) in the colorectum. Dietary administration of ALOE significantly inhibited the O6-MeG levels (50% reduction) compared with controls, whereas the O6-MeG levels in the ALOIN-fed rats showed a tendency to decrease (by 30%), although not significantly. In this study, we also measured the enzyme activity and mRNA level of cytochrome (CYP) 2E1, known to be responsible for the activation of AOM, in rat liver. ALOE-fed rats showed significantly reduced CYP2E1 enzymatic activity (27% reduction) compared with controls. On the other hand, the activity in ALOIN-fed rats tended to decrease by 11%, although not significantly. The CYP2E1 mRNA levels in ALOE- and ALOIN-fed rats were slightly reduced (9.7% and 5.2%, respectively). These results may explain, at least in part, the previously observed inhibitory effects of ALOE and ALOIN, especially ALOE on AOM-induced ACF formation in the rat colorectum.

Aloe↗

Analysis of beta-catenin, Ki-ras, and microsatellite stability in azoxymethane-induced colon tumors of BDIX/Orl Ico rats.

The aim of the study reported here was to investigate whether the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon cancer rat model mimics the human situation with regard to microsatellite stability, changes in expression of beta-catenin, and/or changes in the sequence of the proto-oncogene Ki-ras. Colon cancer was induced by administration of four weekly doses of AOM (15 mg/kg of body weight per week) separated by a one-week break between the second and third injections. As the histopathologic characteristics of this model resemble those of the human counterpart, further characterization of the genetic changes was undertaken. The animals were euthanized 28 to 29 weeks after the first AOM injection, and tumor specimens were taken for histologic and DNA analyses. Since microsatellite variation was found in only a few (< 2%) specimens, the model can be considered as having stable microsatellites. This result is in accordance with those of similar studies in other rat models and with most human colorectal cancers. Immunohistochemical analyses of beta-catenin did not reveal loss of gene activity, nor did the sequencing of Ki-ras reveal mutations. These results are in contrast to most findings in comparable rat studies. The deviations may be due to differences in exposure to the carcinogen or difference in strain and/or age. The lack of beta-catenin and Ki-ras alterations in this colon cancer model is unlike human sporadic colorectal cancers where these genetic changes are common findings.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Extract of vinegar "Kurosu" from unpolished rice inhibits the development of colonic aberrant crypt foci induced by azoxymethane.

The modifying effects of administrating an ethyl acetate extract of "Kurosu" (EK), a vinegar made from unpolished rice, on development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in male F344 rats. We also assessed the effects of EK on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index in ACF, prostaglandin (PG) E2 expression in the colonic mucosa and activities of detoxifying enzymes of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase (QR) in the liver. To induce ACF, rats were given two weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body wt). They also received drinking water containing 0, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.2% EK for 4 weeks, starting 1 week before the first dosing of AOM. AOM exposure produced 140 +/- 23 ACF/rat at the end of the study (week 4). EK administration dose-dependently inhibited ACF formation and inhibition by 0.2% EK was statistically significant (P < 0.002). Treatment with EK significantly lowered PCNA index in ACF and reduced PGE2 content in the colonic mucosa, while EK elevated liver GST and QR activities. These findings suggest that EK may be effective for inhibiting colonic ACF, through induction of liver GST and QR and possibly alteration of PGE2 production.

Acetic Acid↗

Inhibition of azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats due to JTE-522, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor.

Prostaglandin E2, which is produced by cyclooxygenase (COX) during arachidonic acid metabolism, is considered to be related to colon carcinogenesis and selective COX-2 inhibitors may be effective for chemoprevention without the adverse side effects of non-selective, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, the influence of JTE-522 (4-(4-cyclohexyl-2-methyloxazol-5-yl)-2-fluorobenzensulfonamide), a selective COX-2 inhibitor, was examined in azoxymethane(AOM)-induced rat colon carcinogenesis. A total of 40 male F344 rats were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 received diet containing 0.015% JTE-522 and group 2 the normal diet without supplement as a control group; one week later, all rats were administered axozymethane (AOM) s.c. at a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight once a week for 3 successive weeks. At the termination of the experiment (30 weeks after the start), the multiplicity of colon cancer in group 1 was significantly less than that of group 2. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) indices for non-neoplastic cells of the colon mucosa in group 1 were also lower. These data thus suggest that JTE-522 has chemopreventive potential against colon carcinogenesis with decrease of mucosal cell proliferation in rats.

Administration, Oral↗

Loss of heterozygosity and nonsense mutation in Apc in azoxymethane-induced colonic tumours in min mice.

C57BL/6J Min/+ mice, which carry a nonsense mutation in Apc, were injected twice neonatally with 5 mg azoxymethane (AOM) /kg body weight. AOM treatment in comparison with untreated Min mice increased the incidence and number of colonic tumours from 6/14 to 22/24 (incidence) and 0.64+/-0.9 to 4.0+/-3.5 tumours per mice, respectively. Colonic tumours were analysed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in Apc, and 32 of the samples showed LOH whereas 14 did not. In untreated Min mice, all 8 tumours had LOH in Apc. All tumour samples from the AOM-treated Min mice were analysed for nonsense mutations between codons 686 and 1217 in the Apc gene, and one sample had a G-->A transition mutation in codon 1047. No beta-catenin mutations in the region coding for phosphorylation sites important for degradation were found. In conclusion, the main mechanism for colonic tumour induction in AOM-induced Min mice is LOH in Apc, but Apc nonsense mutations may also occur.

Animals↗

Flat dysplastic aberrant crypt foci are related to tumorigenesis in the colon of azoxymethane-treated rat.

We evaluated the role of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) as biomarkers of colon cancer by studying the sequential development (6-28 weeks) from early lesion to tumor in the colon of azoxymethane-exposed F344 rats (15 mg/kg bw x 2). Surface examination of unsectioned methylene blue-stained colon preparations, transilluminated in the inverse light microscope, revealed two types of early lesions: classic elevated ACF and small flat lesions, which we denoted flat ACF and which were characterized by bright blue staining, compressed crypt openings, and crypts not elevated above the surrounding mucosa. At a later stage, the crypts surrounding large flat ACF became enlarged, a change that slightly raised the structure; principally, large flat ACF and nascent tumors displayed the same surface morphology. Furthermore, flat ACF with 18.6 +/- 10.6 crypt/focus and tumors showed a uniform picture of severe dysplasia with frequent presence of Paneth cells, compressed crypts, cytoplasmic/nuclear overexpression of beta-catenin, and nuclear overexpression of cyclin D1. In contrast, classic elevated ACF with 5.3 +/- 2.5 crypts/focus did not display such changes: they showed mainly hyperplasia, mild or moderate dysplasia but never severe dysplasia. Along the time course, the number of flat ACF + tumors, including microscopic and macroscopic, was virtually constant, approximately 2.5 lesions/rat. The number of classic elevated ACF was initially approximately 180 lesions/rat and terminally approximately 80 lesions/rat. Flat ACF grew significantly faster than classic elevated ACF. In conclusion, our data indicate a continuous developmental growth from small flat dysplastic ACF to the stage of a tumor. In contrast, classic elevated ACF do not seem to be as closely related to tumorigenesis.

Animals↗

Dietary cardamom inhibits the formation of azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci in mice and reduces COX-2 and iNOS expression in the colon.

Recently, considerable attention has been focused on identifying naturally occurring chemopreventive compounds capable of inhibiting, retarding, or reversing the multi-step carcinogenesis. The primary aim of the present study was to identify the effects of a commonly consumed spice, viz., cardamom against azoxymethane (AOM) induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Swiss Albino mice. The secondary aim, was to explore the ability of cardamom to modulate the status of proliferation and apoptosis, and to understand its role in altering cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Male Swiss albino mice were injected with AOM (dose: 5mg/Kg body weight) or saline (Group 1) weekly once for two weeks. The AOM-injected mice were randomly assigned to two groups (Groups 2 and 3). While all the groups were on standard lab chow, Group 3 received oral doses of 0.5% cardamom, in aqueous suspension, daily for 8 weeks. Following treatment, significant reduction in the incidences of aberrant crypt foci (p<0.05) was observed. This reduction in ACF was accompanied by suppression of cell proliferation (mean Brdu LI in carcinogen control =13.91+/-3.31, and 0.5% cardamom =2.723+/-0.830) and induction of apoptosis (mean AI in carcinogen control=1.547+/-0.42 and 0.5% cardamom = 6.61+/-0.55). Moreover, reduction of both COX-2 and iNOS expression was also observed. These results suggest that aqueous suspensions of cardamom have protective effects on experimentally induced colon carcinogenesis. Cardamom as a whole and its active components require further attention if the use of this spice is to be recommended for cancer prevention.

Animals↗

Tumor induction by azoxymethane (AOM) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in F344 rat gastric mucosa featuring intestinal metaplasia caused by X-irradiation.

Male F344 5-week-old rats were X-irradiated, and 16 weeks after the first dose, azoxymethane (AOM) was injected or 2-amino-1 -methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was given by intragastric intubation. Tumors in the pylorus of the glandular stomach were observed in 4 out of the 29 animals receiving X-rays + AOM and in 4 out of the 25 animals receiving X-rays + PhIP, 12 months after administration. No such lesions were found in the chemical or X-ray alone groups. Intestinal metaplasia and some induced tumors were positive for CDX2. It was concluded that the presence of intestinal metaplasia may increase sensitivity to the induction of gastric tumors by colon carcinogens.

Animals↗

Decrease in size of azoxymethane induced colon carcinoma in F344 rats by 180-day fermented miso.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of fermented miso (fermented soybean paste) on the induction of colon tumors by azoxymethane (AOM) in male F344 rats. A total of 91 rats, 6 weeks of age, were divided into 5 groups and given weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) for 3 weeks. The animals were placed on diets one week before the first AOM dose: commercial normal control MF diet or a diet containing 10% 2-year, 180-day fermented, or 3-4-day fermented miso. There were no differences in body and organ weights, and no aberrant crypt foci (ACF) among carcinogen-treated groups at week 25. The rates of tumor incidence were 45%, 85%, 75% and 60% with the 2-year, 180-day, and 3-4-day fermented miso and MF, respectively, and those for colon tumors were 34%, 55%, 60% and 55%, respectively. The size of well-differentiated adenocarcinomas and total (well differentiated and signet ring cell) adenocarcinomas in the 180-day fermented miso group was significantly smaller than that in the 2-year fermented miso and MF+AOM groups. Nuclear staining of beta-catenin in colon tumors was increased for the 3-4-day fermented miso compared to the 180-day fermented miso. Cdx2 staining tendency was decreased in colon tumors and adenocarcinomas compared to normal mucosa and ACF, which stained in 100% of cases. In addition, the PCNA index was significantly reduced in the 180-day group compared with those groups receiving the 3-4-day fermented miso and MF diet. The germinal region was also decreased. The present results indicate that dietary supplementation with 180-day fermented dietary miso could act as a chemopreventive agent for colon carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

High concentration of deoxycholic acid abrogates in vitro transformation of IEC6 intestinal cells by azoxymethane.

In this study, we designed an in vitro azoxymethane (AOM)-induced carcinogenesis model and analyzed the effect of deoxycholic acid (DCA) on growth, apoptosis, genotoxicity, and transformation of IEC6 intestinal cells. CYP2E1 production was confirmed in IEC6 cells. The growth of IEC6 cells was enhanced by DCA (100 microg/ml). However, IEC6 cells treated with DCA (200 microg/ml) were inhibited and disappeared at 48 hrs after treatment. Apoptotic cells increased 11.2 times by treatment with DCA (200 microg/ml) as compared to cells with no treatment. DNA injury detected by comet assay was found in cells treated with AOM, but not in cells treated with DCA (100 microg/ml) and AOM. The number of colony formation in soft agar increased by AOM treatment. However, the number of foci treated with DCA (100 microg/ml) plus AOM was 69% that of cells treated with AOM alone. Two out of the 6 mice subcutaneously injected with AOM-treated IEC6 cells showed tumorigenesis, whereas IEC6 cells treated with DCA (100 microg/ml) plus AOM or DCA (100 microg/ml) alone did not form any tumor. Reduced protein expression of MLH1, Bcl-2 was detected in IEC6 cells treated with DCA (100 microg/ml). Production of Bax, pJNK, TGF-beta, TGFBRI, TGFBRII, and beta-catenin were higher in IEC6 cells treated with DCA (100 microg/ml) than that in cells with no treatment. These results suggest that high-dose DCA induced apoptosis and inhibited AOM-induced in vitro transformation of IEC6 cells.

Animals↗

Preventive effects of chrysin on the development of azoxymethane-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci in rats.

The modifying effects of dietary feeding with chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in male F344 rats. We also assessed the effect of chrysin on mitosis and apoptosis in 'normal appearing' crypts. To induce ACF, rats were given two weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body weight). They also received an experimental diet containing chrysin (0.001 or 0.01%) for 4 weeks, starting 1 week before the first dose of AOM. AOM exposure produced a substantial number of ACF (73+/-13/rat) at the end of the study (week 4). Dietary administration of chrysin caused significant reduction in the frequency of ACF: 0.001% chrysin, 37+/-17/rat (49% reduction, P<0.001); and 0.01% chrysin, 40+/-10/rat (45% reduction, P<0.001). In addition, chrysin administration significantly reduced the mitotic index and significantly increased the apoptotic index in 'normal appearing' crypts. These findings might suggest a possible chemopreventive activity of chrysin in the early step of colon tumorigenesis through modulation of cryptal cell proliferation activity and apoptosis.

Administration, Oral↗

Prevalent location of flat dysplastic aberrant crypt foci near lymphoid follicles in the colon of azoxymethane-treated rats.

In the colon of F344 rats treated with 2 x 15 mg/kg body weight of azoxymethane (AOM), the density (number of lesions/cm2/rat) of flat aberrant crypt foci (ACF) was 13-fold higher (p < 0.05) in the surface area of mucosa immediately adjacent to lymphoid follicles compared with the density of these lesions in the rest of the mucosa. A similar prevalent location near lymphoid follicles was observed for tumours, but not for the classic elevated ACF. The lymphoid follicle-associated flat ACF had the same characteristics as those located in the rest of the mucosa: i.e. severe dysplasia and Wnt pathway stimulation.

Animals↗

Catalpa seed oil rich in 9t,11t,13c-conjugated linolenic acid suppresses the development of colonic aberrant crypt foci induced by azoxymethane in rats.

Catalpa (Catalpa ovata) seed oil (CPO) is a unique oil that contains a high amount of 9trans,11trans,13cis-conjugated linolenic acid. In the present study, we investigated whether dietary administration with CPO affects the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in male F344 rats to elucidate its possible cancer chemopreventive efficiency. Also, the effect of CPO on the fatty acid composition of liver tissue and colonic mucosa, the serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, and the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the colonic mucosa were measured. In addition, the cell proliferation activity and apoptotic index in the colonic mucosa were estimated immunohistochemically. Animals were given two weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body weight). They also received the experimental diet containing 0.01%, 0.1% or 1% CPO for 4 weeks, starting one week before the first dosing of AOM. AOM exposure produced a substantial number of ACF (99+/-28) at the end of the study (week 4). Dietary administration of CPO reduced the number of ACF (AOM + 0.01% CPO, 32+/-11, P<0.001; AOM + 0.1% CPO, 35+/-18, P<0.001; AOM + 1% CPO, 18+/-10, P<0.001). 9t,11t-conjugated linoleic acid was detected in the liver tissue and colonic mucosa of rats fed the CPO-containing diet. Additionally, dietary administration with CPO decreased the serum triglyceride level and the expression of COX-2 mRNA in the colonic mucosa. The indices of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the colonic mucosa of rats treated with AOM and 1% CPO have significant differences when compared with the AOM alone group. These findings suggest the possible chemopreventive activity of CPO in the early phase of colon carcinogenesis.

Animals↗