Enhancement by aminoguanidine of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of prolonged administration of aminoguanidine on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric wall, and the labeling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. The rats received 12.5 or 25.0 mg/kg body weight of aminoguanidine s.c. every other day after oral MNNG treatment for 25 weeks. Prolonged administration of aminoguanidine at 25.0 mg/kg body weight, but not at 12.5 mg/kg body weight, significantly increased the incidence of gastric cancers in experimental week 52. However, it did not influence the histologic types of gastric cancers. Aminoguanidine at 25.0 mg/kg body weight also significantly increased the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the antral portion of the gastric wall and the labeling index of the antral epithelial cells. These findings indicate that aminoguanidine enhances gastric carcinogenesis and suggest that its effect may be related to increased proliferation of antral epithelial cells.     

Enhancement by propranolol of the inhibitory effect of tetragastrin on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of combined administration of propranolol and tetragastrin on gastric acid secretion and the incidence and histological types of gastric adenocarcinomas induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Prolonged administration of tetragastrin, 1 but not 0.2 mg/kg body weight in depot form after treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine significantly reduced the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the glandular stomach. The adenocarcinomas that did develop in rats treated with the higher dose of tetragastrin had high mucin-producing activity and showed little or no typical glandular structure. A combination of propranolol (2 mg/kg) and tetragastrin (1 mg/kg) did not influence the inhibitory effect of gastrin on gastric carcinogenesis. However, concomitant administration of propranolol (2 mg/kg) and tetragastrin (0.2 mg/kg) caused a significant increase in gastric acid secretion and a reduction in the incidence of gastric carcinomas. With this treatment, the incidence of adenocarcinoma was similar to that of treatment with tetragastrin (1 mg/kg). Histological examinations showed that like the cancers in control rats, the adenocarcinomas induced in these rats were all highly differentiated.     

Enhancement by thyroxine of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

The affects of L-thyroxine (T4) on the incidence and histology of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N''-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and on the labelling index of gastric mucosal epithelial cells were investigated in Wistar rats. After oral treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks, the rats received s.c. injections of T4 (0.2 microgram kg-1) in depot form every other day until the end of the experiment in Week 52. This long-term treatment with T4 significantly increased the incidence of gastric cancers in Week 52. However, it did not influence the histological type of the gastric cancers. It also caused significant increases in the labelling indices of the fundic and antral epithelial cells. These findings indicate that T4 enhances the development of gastric cancers, and that its effect may be related to its effect in increasing proliferation of gastric epithelial cells.     

Enhancement by somatostatin of experimental gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of somatostatin on the incidence, number, and histological type of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were investigated in Wistar rats. Rats received alternate-day s.c. injections of 100 or 200 micrograms/kg body weight of somatostatin in depot form after 25 weeks of p.o. treatment with the carcinogen. Prolonged administration of somatostatin at both dosages significantly increased the incidence and number of gastric cancers of the glandular stomach in Week 52. Furthermore, somatostatin at 200 micrograms/kg caused a significant increase in the incidence of gastric cancers penetrating the muscle layer or deeper layers. However, somatostatin at both dosages did not influence their histological appearance. Histologically, somatostatin at both dosages significantly elevated the labeling index of gastric cancers but not of the antral mucosa and significantly reduced the gastrin levels. These findings indicate that somatostatin enhances gastric carcinogenesis after N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine treatment and that this effect may be related to its effect in increasing proliferation of gastric cancers and decreasing serum gastrin level.     

Enhancement by tyrosine methyl ester of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of tyrosine methyl ester (TME) on the incidence, number, and histological types of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in male Wistar rats. Rats were subcutaneously given TME, 512 mg/kg body weight, every other day after 20 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. Prolonged alternate-day administration of TME caused a significant increase in the incidence and number of gastric cancers of the glandular stomach by week 52. However, it did not affect the histology of the cancers. TME also caused a significant increase in tissue norepinephrine concentrations in the antral portion of the gastric wall and in the labelling indices of the antral epithelial cells. However, TME had no influence on the serum gastrin level and antral pH. These findings indicate that TME enhances gastric carcinogenesis, and this may be related to its effects on increasing norepinephrine levels in the gastric wall and stimulating proliferation of the antral epithelial cells.     

Effects of propranolol and cimetidine on cysteamine inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis induced in Wistar rats by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

The effects of propranolol and cimetidine on inhibition by cysteamine (2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride) of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and on gastric acid secretion, serum gastrin level, and labelling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats received alternate-day injections of cysteamine (25 mg/kg body weight) with or without propranolol (dl-propranolol hydrochloride) (2 mg/kg bw) or cimetidine (50 mg/kg bw) in depot form after 25 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. Prolonged administration of cysteamine significantly reduced the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the glandular stomach. A combination of cysteamine and propranolol significantly accelerated the inhibitory effect of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis. However, with concomitant administration of cysteamine and cimetidine, the incidence of adenocarcinoma was slightly but not significantly increased as compared to that after treatment with cysteamine alone. Administration of cysteamine caused a significant increase in gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin level, and a significant decrease in the labelling index of the antral mucosa. A combination of cysteamine and propranolol significantly increased gastric acid secretion by cysteamine alone and significantly decreased the labelling index of the antral mucosa. With this treatment, the serum gastrin level was significantly higher than the basal level, but the stimulated serum gastrin level was significantly lower than observed that after administration of cysteamine alone. In contrast, concomitant administration of cysteamine and cimetidine caused a significant decrease in gastric acid secretion and significant increase in the serum gastrin level as compared to the levels seen after treatment with cysteamine alone, but had no influence on the labelling index of the antral mucosa. These findings indicate that hypersecretion of acid, but not hypergastrinemia associated with hyposecretion of acid or achlorhydria, exerts a protective effect against gastric carcinogenesis, and that this effect may be related to its activity in decreasing proliferation of the antral mucosa.     

Enhancement by methionine- and leucine-enkephalin of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

The effects of the opioid receptor agonists methionine-enkephalin (Met-ENK) and leucine-enkephalin (Leu-ENK) on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of oral treatment with the carcinogen, the rats received subcutaneous injections of Met-ENK (20 micrograms/kg) or Leu-ENK (20 micrograms/kg) once every 2 days. The prolonged administrations of Met-ENK and Leu-ENK significantly increased the incidence of gastric cancers in week 52. Treatments with these opioid receptor agonists significantly increased the labeling index of the antral mucosa. These findings indicate that opioids enhance gastric carcinogenesis and suggest that their effects may be related to their influence on increasing proliferation of the antral epithelial cells.     

Enhancement of dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

The effects of the dopamine agonist 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine methanesulfonate (bromocriptine) on the incidence, number and histology of gastric cancer induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were investigated in Wistar rats. Rats were given 1 or 2 mg kg-1 body weight of bromocriptine subcutaneously every other day in depot form after 25 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. Prolonged administration of bromocriptine at both dosages every other day resulted in a significant increase in the incidence and number of gastric cancers of the glandular stomach by week 52. Bromocriptine treatment did not influence the histological type of gastric cancer, but caused a significant increase in the labelling index of epithelial cells of the antrum. These findings indicate that the dopamine agonist bromocriptine promotes gastric carcinogenesis, and that this effect may be related to its effect in increasing proliferation of epithelial cells in the antral mucosa.     

Promotion by bombesin of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of bombesin on the incidence, number, histological type, and depth of involvement of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Rats received alternate-day s.c. administration of 20 or 40 micrograms/kg body weight of bombesin in depot form after p.o. treatment with the carcinogen for 25 weeks. Prolonged administration of bombesin at 40 micrograms/kg led to a significant increase in the incidence and number per rat of gastric cancers of the glandular stomach at Week 52. In rats that had received alternate-day injections of 20 micrograms/kg of bombesin, the number of gastric cancers per rat, but not the incidence of cancer, was significantly more than in untreated rats. However, bombesin at both dosages did not affect the histological appearance of the lesions or their depth of involvement. At Weeks 30 and 52, norepinephrine concentrations in the fundic and antral portion of the gastric walls and labeling indices in the antral and fundic mucosae were significantly higher in rats treated with bombesin at both dosages than in untreated rats. These findings indicate that bombesin enhances gastric carcinogenesis after administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine is stopped and that this effect may be related to its effects in increasing tissue norepinephrine concentrations in the stomach wall and increasing cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa.     

Promotion by vagotomy of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of truncal vagotomy after administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine on the incidence and number of gastric carcinomas and gastric acid secretion, gastrin secretion, antral pH, and duodenal reflux were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats were subjected to truncal vagotomy after N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine treatment. Vagotomy significantly increased the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach. It also resulted in significantly more atypical glandular hyperplasias, which are precursors of gastric cancer. Furthermore, it caused a decrease in gastric secretion and an increase in mucosal pH in the antrum but did not increase duodenal reflux. These findings indicate that vagotomy has a promoting effect on the development of gastric cancers. The reduced gastric acid secretion, but not duodenal reflux, may be related to this increased incidence of gastric cancer.     

Promotion by ethanol of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of ethanol (EtOH) on the incidence and histology of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were investigated in Wistar rats. The animals received alternate-day i.p. injections of 2.5 ml kg-1 body weight of 20% EtOH in 0.9% NaCl solution after 20 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. Prolonged administration of EtOH resulted in a significant increase in the incidence and number of gastric cancers of the glandular stomach in week 52. However, it had no influence on the histological types of the gastric cancers. Furthermore, it caused a significant increase in the labelling index of the epithelial cells of the antrum in week 52. These findings indicate that EtOH promotes gastric carcinogenesis, and that this effect may be related to its effect in increasing proliferation of the antral epithelial cells.     

Promotion by neurotensin of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of neurotensin on the incidence and histology of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine were investigated in Wistar rats. Rats were given 100 or 200 micrograms per kg of body weight of neurotensin s.c. every other day in depot form after 25 wk of p.o. treatment with the carcinogen. Prolonged alternate-day administration of neurotensin at 200 micrograms per kg of body weight resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of gastric cancers of the glandular stomach by Wk 52. However, it did not influence the histological appearance of the gastric cancers. Furthermore, it caused a significant increase in the labeling indices of the epithelial cells of the antrum and of gastric cancers. In contrast, the administration of neurotensin at 100 micrograms per kg of body weight had a slight, but not significant, influence on the development of gastric cancers. These findings indicate that neurotensin promotes gastric carcinogenesis, and that this effect may be related to its effect in increasing proliferation of epithelial cells in the antral mucosa and in gastric cancers.     

Promotion by nialamide of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of nialamide, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, on the incidence, number, and histology of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Rats were given subcutaneously 50 mg/kg body weight of nialamide in depot form every other day after 25 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. Prolonged alternate-day administration of nialamide caused a significant increase in the incidence and number of gastric cancers of the glandular stomach in week 52. However, it did not affect the histology of the cancers. Nialamide also caused a significant increase in tissue norepinephrine concentrations in the gastric wall and in the labeling indices of the gastric mucosae. However, nialamide had no influence on serum gastrin levels in the fasting state and after re-feeding. These findings indicate that nialamide promotes gastric carcinogenesis and that this may be related to its effects in increasing norepinephrine in the gastric wall and stimulating proliferation of gastric epithelial cells.     

Inhibition by amiloride of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

The effects of amiloride on the incidence and histological types of gastric cancers in Wistar rats induced by N-methyl-N''-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and on the labelling index and proliferative fraction of gastric mucosa were investigated. After oral treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks, rats received s.c. injections of amiloride (0.25 mg kg-1 or 5.0 mg kg-1 body weight) in depot form every other day until the end of the experiment. Prolonged administration of 5.0 mg kg-1, but not 2.5 mg kg-1 of amiloride significantly decreased the incidence of gastric cancers in Week 52. However, it did not influence the histological features of the gastric cancers. It also significantly decreased the labelling index and proliferative fraction of the antral mucosa. These findings indicate that amiloride inhibits the development of gastric cancers, and that its effect may be related to its effect in decreasing cell proliferation of the antral mucosa.     

Inhibition by D-limonene of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

The effect of prolonged oral administration of D-limonene on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and on the labeling and apoptotic indices of gastric cancers were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of the carcinogen treatment, rats were given chow pellets containing 1% or 2% limonene. In week 52, long-term oral administration of 2%, but not 1%, limonene significantly decreased the incidence of gastric cancers. Limonene also significantly decreased the labeling index and significantly increased the apoptotic index of gastric cancers. No K-ras mutations were detected in gastric cancers induced by MNNG in either group. These findings indicate that limonene inhibits the development of gastric cancers through increased apoptosis and decreased DNA synthesis of gastric cancers, but not through ras oncoprotein plasma membrane association.     

Protection by oral phenylalanine against gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of L-phenylalanine on the incidence and histology of gastric adenocarcinomas induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine was investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Oral administration of 6% phenylalanine after 25 weeks of treatment with the carcinogen significantly reduced the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach at experimental week 52. Oral administration of high dose phenylalanine significantly increased the basal serum gastrin level and significantly decreased the norepinephrine concentration in the antral portion of the gastric wall, as well as the labelling indices of antral mucosa. These findings indicate that orally administered phenylalanine inhibits the development of gastric cancers.     

Enhancement of experimental gastric carcinogenesis induced in spontaneously hypertensive rats by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

The incidence, number, and histological types of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and the tissue norepinephrine concentration of the gastric wall were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in control Wistar Kyoto rats and Wistar rats. All rats were given drinking water containing 25 micrograms/ml of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine for 25 weeks. During Week 52, the incidence and number per rat of gastric cancers were significantly greater in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in Wistar Kyoto and Wistar rats. All tumors induced in the glandular stomach were adenocarcinomas, but no significant difference was found in the histological types of adenocarcinoma in the three strains of rats. At Weeks 15, 30, and 52, norepinephrine concentrations in the fundic and antral portion of the gastric walls and labeling indices in the antral and fundic mucosa were significantly higher in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in Wistar Kyoto and/or Wistar rats. These findings indicate that increased sympathetic nervous system activity enhances the development of gastric cancers, but immunological dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats may contribute to the increased susceptibility to gastric cancer.     

Attenuating effect of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor furazolidone on the anti-carcinogenetic effect of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of furazolidone on inhibition by cysteamine of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in inbred Wistar rats. After oral treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks, rats received cysteamine, furazolidone, or both compounds. In week 52, rats treated with cysteamine had a significantly decreased incidence of gastric cancers. Concomitant treatment with furazolidone significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis. Administration of furazolidone alone significantly increased the number, but not the incidence, of gastric cancers. The norepinephrine concentration of the antral portion of the gastric wall and the labelling index of the antral mucosa were significantly reduced in rats treated with cysteamine, and significantly higher in rats treated with both compounds than in those treated with cysteamine alone. These findings indicate that the cysteamine-induced inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis is mediated by catecholamines.     

Effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on gastric carcinogenesis and tetragastrin inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on gastric carcinogenesis, on inhibition by tetragastrin of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and on the tissue catecholamine concentrations of the gastric wall and the labeling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats received s.c. injections of tetragastrin (1 mg/kg of body weight every other day) in depot form, i.p. injections of 6-OHDA (42 mg/kg twice within 24 h and 105 mg/kg every 2 wk), or injections of both compounds after 25 wk of p.o. treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (100 micrograms/ml). At Wk 52, prolonged administration of tetragastrin or 6-OHDA had significantly reduced the incidence and the number of adenocarcinomas. Combined administration of tetragastrin and 6-OHDA significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of tetragastrin or 6-OHDA on gastric carcinogenesis. Administration of 6-OHDA but not tetragastrin, caused a significant decrease in norepinephrine concentrations in the antral portion of the gastric wall. Rats treated with tetragastrin or 6-OHDA had a significantly lower labelling index of the antral mucosa, and this index was significantly decreased by combined administration of tetragastrin and 6-OHDA, as compared with labeling indices observed after treatment with tetragastrin or 6-OHDA alone. These findings indicate that 6-OHDA exerts a protective effect against gastric carcinogenesis and enhances the inhibitory effect of tetragastrin on gastric carcinogenesis. This effect of 6-OHDA may be related to its ability to inhibit cell proliferation of the antral mucosa.     

Effects of bilateral and unilateral vagotomy on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

After administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine for 15 weeks, the effects of bilateral, anterior and posterior vagotomy on the incidence, number and location of gastric adenocarcinomas, gastric acid secretion and cell proliferation of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Bilateral or anterior vagotomy, but not posterior vagotomy, significantly increased the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas at experimental week 52. In sham-operated control rats and rats subjected to bilateral vagotomy, there was no significant difference between the incidence or number of gastric tumors in the anterior and posterior walls. After anterior and posterior vagal denervation, however, there were significantly more gastric cancers on the denervated side than on the other. Bilateral and unilateral vagotomy resulted in significantly reduced gastric acid secretion by experimental weeks 25 and 52. Bilateral vagotomy significantly increased the labelling indices of both the fundic and antral mucosa at both times, but did not cause any significant difference between those of the anterior and posterior wall. Anterior or posterior vagotomy resulted in a significant increase in the labelling indices of both the fundic and antral mucosa on the denervated side. These findings indicate that the vagal nerve exerts a trophic action on the gastric mucosa, and that the promoting effect of vagotomy on gastric carcinogenesis may be related to its effect in increasing proliferation of cells in the antral mucosa.