Precancerous lesions in the glandular stomach of Wistar rats induced with dimethylamine hydrochloride and sodium nitrite

AIM: To observe the effects of both dimethylamine hydrochloride and sodium nitrite on the glandular stomach of Wistar rats.METHODS: Both dimethylamine hydrochloride and sodium nitrite were administered to male Wistar rats at a concentration of 0.06% in the drinking water ad libitum for 56 wks, and the rats were killed subsequently. The sequential histological changes induced in the glandular stomach of the rats by both dimethylamine hydrochloride and sodium nitrite were also observed.RESULTS: It was found that the rate of intestinal metaplasia in the glandular stomach of rats was 88.9% (40/45), 55.0% (22/40) of which had the sulphomucin-positive intestinal metaplasia. The rates of mild, moderate and severe dysplasia were 44.5% (20/45), 33.3% (15/45), and 22.2% (10/45), respectively. Cystic dilatation of gastric glands was found in 28.9% (13/45). No gastric cancer occurred. The sequential histological changes were also reported.CONCLUSION: Both dimethylamine hydrochloride and sodium nitrite can induce precancerous lesions of the glandular stomach in Wistar rats and may be one of the pathogenic factors of gastric cancer.