Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, a new biochemical marker for epithelial proliferation in rat bladder

Organosulfur compounds from alliaceae in the prevention of human pathologies

A strong association between elevated plasma low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been established. Oxidation of LDL (Ox-LDL) promotes vascular dysfunction, enhances the production and release of inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen species and contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In addition, Ox-LDL enhances the production and release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, arachidonic acid metabolites and nitric oxide (NO) that are responsible for various human pathologies including cancer. Organosulfur compounds (OSC) from alliaceae modulate the glutathione (GSH) redox cycle and inhibits NFkappa-B activation in human T cells. Furthermore, OSC bioactivities include antioxidant, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, immunostimulatory, and liver protection potential.

Suppression of chemical carcinogenesis by water-soluble organosulfur compounds

The chemopreventive effects of five water-soluble organosulfur compounds, S-methylcysteine (SMC) and four analogs, were examined on the promotion stage of diethylnitrosamine hepatocarcinogenesis in male F344 rats, using the medium-term bioassay (Ito test), which is based on the two-step model of hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, we investigated the modifying effects of SMC and cysteine on the initiation stage of rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Carcinogenic potential was scored by comparing the numbers and areas of a putative neoplastic lesion, glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)--positive hepatocellular foci. SMC and cysteine significantly decreased the number and area of GST-P--positive foci when given in the promotion stage of the Ito test. When given during the initiation stage, these two organosulfur compounds also significantly inhibited focus formation. Liver ornithine decarboxylase activity after two thirds partial hepatectomy and the proportion of hepatocytes positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen significantly decreased the number of aberrant crypt foci in the colon in a multiorgan carcinogenesis bioassay of rats. These results support SMC and cysteine as chemopreventive agents for hepatocarcinogenesis and colon carcinogenesis. Their intake may be of importance for cancer.

Pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and carcinogenicity of arsenic

The carcinogenicity of arsenic in humans has been unambiguously demonstrated in a variety of epidemiological studies encompassing geographically diverse study populations and multiple exposure scenarios. Despite the abundance of human data, our knowledge of the mechanism(s) responsible for the carcinogenic effects of arsenic remains incomplete. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is highly dependent on the development of appropriate experimental models, both in vitro and in vivo, for future mechanistic investigations. Suitable in vitro models would facilitate further investigation of the critical chemical species (arsenate/arsenite/MMA/DMA) involved in the carcinogenic process, as well as the evaluation of the generation and role of ROS. Mechanisms underlying the clastogenic effects of arsenic, its role in modulating DNA methylation, and the phenomenon of inducible tolerance could all be more completely investigated using in vitro models. The mechanisms involved in arsenic's inhibition of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis demand further attention, particularly with respect to its effects on cell proliferation and DNA repair. Exploration of the mechanisms responsible for the protective or anticarcinogenic effects of arsenic could also enhance our understanding of the cellular and molecular interactions that influence its carcinogenicity. In addition, appropriate in vivo models must be developed that consider the action of arsenic as a promoter and/or progressor. In vivo models that allow further investigation of the comutagenic effects of arsenic are also especially necessary. Such models may employ initiation-promotion-progression bioassays or transgenic animals. Both in vitro and in vivo models have the potential to greatly enhance our current understanding of the cellular and molecular interactions of arsenic and its metabolites in target tissues. However, refinement of our knowledge of the mechanistic aspects of arsenic carcinogenicity is not alone sufficient; an understanding of the pharmacokinetics and target tissue doses of the critical chemical species is essential. Additionally, a more thorough characterization of species differences in the tissue kinetics of arsenic and its methylated metabolites would facilitate the development of more accurate and relevant PBPK models. Improved models could be used to further investigate the existence of a methylation threshold for arsenic and its relevance to arsenic carcinogenicity in humans. The significance of alterations in relative tissue concentrations of SAM and SAH deserves further attention, particularly with respect to their role in modulating methyltransferases involved in arsenic metabolism and DNA methylation. The importance of genetic polymorphisms and nutrition in influencing methyltransferase activities must not be overlooked. In vivo models are necessary to evaluate these factors; transgenic or knockout models would be particularly useful in the investigation of methylation polymorphisms. Further evaluation of methylation polymorphisms in human populations is also warranted. Other in vivo models incorporating dietary manipulation could provide valuable insight into the role of nutrition in the carcinogenicity of arsenic. With more complete knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of arsenic metabolism and the mechanisms associated with its carcinogenic effects, development of more reliable risk assessment strategies are possible. Integration of data, both pharmacokinetic and mechanistic in nature, will lead to more accurate descriptions of the interactions that occur between the active chemical species and cellular constituents which lead to the development of cancer. This knowledge, in turn, will facilitate the development of more accurate and reliable risk assessment strategies for arsenic.

Chemopreventive effects of bovine lactoferrin on N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced rat bladder carcinogenesis

Chemopreventive effects of bovine lactoferrin (bLF), which is found at high concentrations in colostrum, on rat bladder carcinogenesis were investigated using a rat bladder medium-term bioassay. In experiment 1, a total of 80 F344 male rats, 6 weeks old, were divided into 5 groups. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) in the drinking water for 8 weeks and after a 1-week interval, received dietary supplementation with 2% and 0.2% bLF, respectively. Group 3 received 0.05% BBN for 8 weeks and then no treatment. Group 4 was administered 2% bLF alone from week 9, without prior carcinogen exposure. Group 5 was maintained without any treatment throughout the experiment. All rats were killed at the end of week 36. Group 1 demonstrated a significantly decreased multiplicity of the bladder tumors (carcinomas and papillomas) as compared with group 3. Maximum cut surface areas of bladder tumors were also significantly decreased in groups 1 and 2 compared with group 3. No bladder tumors were observed in groups 4 or 5. In experiment 2, a total of 60 rats were divided into two groups (30 rats each); both were treated with 0.05% BBN for 4 weeks and after a 1-week interval, one received 2% bLF (group 1) and the other, basal diet (group 2) for 4 weeks. Group 1 demonstrated a tendency for decrease of the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index. bLF was detected in the urine of rats fed bLF by ELISA as well as western blot analysis. The findings indicate that 2% bLF can inhibit BBN-induced rat bladder carcinogenesis, and that this may be due to bLF in the urine.

Inhibition of liver glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci development in the rat hepatocarcinogenesis by Porphyra tenera (Asakusa-nori)

The effects of Asakusa-nori, Porphyra tenera (PT), a popular edible seaweed in Japan, on the development of putative preneoplastic lesions, glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci, in the male F344 rat liver were examined using a medium-term bioassay system. PT significantly decreased both the number and area of GST-P-positive foci in rat livers initiated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN). To investigate possible mechanisms of inhibition, effects of PT on 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling in GST-P-positive foci and the surrounding area of hepatocytes were studied. The ratio of the GST-P-positive foci to surrounding tissue labeling indices was decreased in the PT-treated group as compared with the DEN alone group. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in the liver was slightly increased and spermidine/spermine N'-acetyltransferase activity was slightly decreased in the PT-treated animals. These results suggest that PT possesses chemopreventive effects against DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Expression and localization of ornithine decarboxylase in reversible papillomatosis induced by uracil in rat bladder

Direct mechanical irritation by uracil calculi formed following feeding of 3% uracil in the diet to male rats produces severe papillary hyperplasia (papillomatosis, which is reversible) of bladder epithelium. To evaluate the mechanism of the appearance of uracil-induced papillomatosis, we examined the changes of the enzyme activity and the localization of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), as well as polyamine biosynthesis, and epithelial proliferation, that accompany the sequential bladder epithelial changes following administration and withdrawal of uracil. Moreover, expression of ODC mRNA was investigated using northern blotting and localization of ODC mRNA was demonstrated using in situ hybridization. ODC activity during uracil administration was maintained at a high level compared to that in normal epithelium, but sharply decreased after cessation of uracil treatment. The accumulation of ODC protein was observed in the proliferating bladder epithelium by immunohistochemical examination and western blotting analysis, and even after cessation of treatment, the protein binding to anti-ODC antibody remained mildly elevated. Sequential changes of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells in the epithelium during the development and disappearance of papillomatosis correlated with ODC activity. ODC mRNA was expressed strongly in the proliferating epithelium in rats treated with uracil and weakly in normal epithelium, in accordance with the location of ODC protein. Consequently, our data demonstrate that cell proliferation in the development of papillomatosis is closely associated with polyamine metabolism, and moreover suggest that ODC activity is up-regulated at a post-translational step.

Epithelial cell proliferation in the digestive tract induced by space restriction and water-immersion stress

The effects of space restriction and water-immersion stress on epithelial cell proliferation in the digestive tract, with special attention to the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, in 8-week-old SD male rats were examined. Histological assessment revealed spotted hemorrhagic lesions in the fundus of the glandular stomach, accompanied by statistically increased 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index in the fundic and pyloric regions. Furthermore, biochemical analysis demonstrated an increased activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT), known as key late-limiting enzymes of the polyamine pathway, in the gastric fundus. The stress may induce a remarkable increase in expression of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc mRNAs in both fundic and pyloric regions of the glandular stomach. There were no remarkable changes in the esophagus. These results indicate that space restriction and water-immersion stress induced cell proliferation in the glandular stomach through overexpression of proto-oncogenes and increased ODC and SAT activities that might be related to the promotion of gastric carcinogenesis.

Polyamine metabolism of rat gastric mucosa after oral administration of hypertonic sodium chloride solution

Oral administration of 1 ml of 3.42 M NaCl solution to rats induced spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) activity in gastric mucosa as well as ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. SSAT activity increased and peaked at 5 h and again at 7 h, whereas ODC activity peaked at 6 h. SSAT mRNA also increased after 3.42 M NaCl administration to an extent similar to the increase in SSAT activity at 5 h. Intracellular putrescine level and DNA synthesis were increased by NaCl administration. A polyamine oxidase inhibitor, N,N'-bis(2,3-butadienyl)-1,4-butanediamine (MDL-72527), but not an ODC inhibitor, alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), inhibited the increases in putrescine level and DNA synthesis at 5 h. The inhibition of DNA synthesis by MDL-72527 was reversed by putrescine administration. In contrast, both MDL-72527 and DFMO inhibited the increase in putrescine level and DNA synthesis at 16.5 h. These findings suggest that putrescine produced from preexistent spermidine by SSAT is responsible for the initial DNA synthesis after mucosal injury induced by NaCl and that both SSAT and ODC are involved in formation of putrescine, which is required for subsequent DNA synthesis.

Inhibition of development of N,N'-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colonic aberrant crypt foci by pre, post and simultaneous treatments with 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

It has recently been reported that new vitamin D3 derivatives can exert inhibitory effects on colon carcinogenesis in rats. In the present study the chemopreventive potential of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24R,25(OH)2vitamin D3) was assessed in a murine model of colon carcinogenesis. In experiment 1, male 6-week-old F344 rats were administered N,N'-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) 20 mg/kg s.c. once a week 4 times. The rats were fed 24R,25(OH)2vitamin D3 at 10 ppm in the diet prior to (pre), together with (simultaneous) or after (post) DMH treatment. Modifying effects were assessed using aberrant crypt foci (ACF), putative preneoplastic lesions, as the end point markers in this model of colon carcinogenesis. After 8 weeks, pre and more markedly simultaneous administration of 24R,25(OH)2vitamin D3 was found to have reduced the total numbers of ACF and significantly inhibited the development of foci. After 16 weeks, numbers of foci with > or = 4 crypts, which are more likely to progress to tumors, were significantly reduced. The most pronounced inhibition of ACF development was noted in rats fed the 24R,25(OH)2vitamin D3 after DMH administration. The reduction was particularly marked in the proximal colon. Blood levels of calcium were not significantly increased over the control levels in groups administered DMH and the vitamin. Immunohistochemical staining showed numbers of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells to be lower in the colonic epithelia of rats fed the vitamin D3 metabolite than in the controls. In experiment 2, the effect of 24R,25(OH)2vitamin D3 on the alterations in c-fos, c-myc and c-jun oncogene expression in response to DMH administration was examined by northern blot analysis. The early increase in expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was not altered by 24R,25(OH)2vitamin D3. The results suggest that 24R,25(OH)2vitamin D3 is a cancer chemopreventive agent which may suppresses DMH induction of lesions and their subsequent development via an antiproliferative action.

S-methylcysteine and cysteine are inhibitors of induction of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci during initiation and promotion phases of rat hepatocarcinogenesis

S-Methylcysteine (SMC) occurs in a variety of plants, including Allium sativum, Phaseolus vulgaris, and Cruciferae. In this study, we synthesized five organosulfur compounds (OSCs), SMC and four analogs, and examined their modifying effects on diethylnitrosamine-induced neoplasia of the liver in male F344 rats, using the medium-term bioassay system of Ito (Ito test) based on the two-step model of hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, we investigated the modifying effects of SMC and cysteine on the initiation stage of rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Carcinogenic potential was scored by comparing the numbers and areas of induced glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive hepatocellular focl. All OSCs examined had a tendency to decrease the number of GST-P-positive foci when given in the promotion stage of the Ito test, and in particular SMC and cysteine exerted significant inhibitory effects. When given during the initiation stage, these two OSCs also significantly inhibited focus formation. Regarding the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effects of SMC and cysteine, measurement of ornithine decarboxylase in SMC- and cysteine-treated liver tissues after partial hepatectomy (PH) revealed a significantly reduced activity, and the proportion of hepatocytes positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen was significantly decreased by SMC or cysteine administration. Moreover, examination of the expression of the early response proto-oncogenes, c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc, after PH demonstrated down-regulated induction of c-jun mRNA transcripts by SMC, sustained for an eight-hour period. Our results support the view that SMC and cysteine are chemopreventive agents for rat hepatocarcinogenesis and that their intake may be importance for cancer prevention.

The inhibitory effect of vitamin E on K-ras mutation at an early stage of lung carcinogenesis in mice

In this study, we investigated the effect of vitamin E on the activation of the K-ras oncogene with a 61st codon A-->T mutation at an early stage of urethane-induced lung carcinogenesis in mice. Thirty days after urethane injection, the K-ras mutation was detected in 64% of lung samples tested by mutant-allele-specific amplification. The consumption of a supplemented diet with about 20-times more vitamin E than the control diet, only during the promotion phase or during both the initiation and promotion phases of lung carcinogenesis, reduced the frequency of the mutation to 36 and 18%, respectively. Also, vitamin E suppressed the level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen as a marker of cell proliferation in the lungs of mice treated with urethane. These results support the notion that vitamin E is a useful chemopreventive agent against lung cancer.

Dose-dependent inhibition of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive hepatocellular foci induction in the rat by methyl propyl disulfide and propylene sulfide from garlic and onions

Two organosulfur compounds, methyl propyl disulfide (MPD) and propylene sulfide (PS) from garlic and onions, were studied for their modifying effects on hepatocarcinogenesis in the F344 rats. Modifying potential was scored by comparing the number and area per cm2 of induced glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci in the liver. MPD and PS significantly reduced both these parameters of GST-P-positive foci in a dose-dependent manner. To investigate possible mechanisms of inhibition, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT) activities were measured. In MPD and PS-high dose-treated liver tissue there was a tendency for their decrease, albeit non-significant, which suggested that the inhibitory effect might have been caused by decreased cell proliferation associated with decreased polyamine biosynthesis. In evaluating relationships between diet and cancer, it is thus necessary to consider various effects in assessing possible protective roles of garlic and onions.

Enhancing effects of organosulfur compounds from garlic and onions on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats: association with increased cell proliferation and elevated ornithine decarboxylase activity

Four organosulfur compounds from garlic and onions were examined for modifying effects on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced neoplasia of the liver in male F344 rats using the medium-term bioassay system based on the two-step model of hepatocarcinogenesis. Carcinogenic potential was scored by comparing the numbers and areas per cm2 of induced glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci. Isothiocyanic acid isobutyl ester (IAIE), dipropyl trisulfide (DPT), and allyl mercapton (AM) exerted enhancing effects on their development, while dimethyl trisulfide also tended to increase them. To investigate possible mechanisms of the modifying influence, sequential changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC) over 24 h were measured in AM-treated liver tissue without prior DEN initiation. The activity started to increase by 4 h after AM-treatment, and reached maximum at 16 h, compared to controls. Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activity was not significantly changed. An increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells followed the elevation of ODC activity. These results suggest that IAIE, DPT, and AM promote rat hepatocarcinogenesis and their promoting effect might be caused by increased cell proliferation with increased polyamine biosynthesis. In evaluating relationships between diet and cancer, it is thus appropriate to consider not only a possible protective role of garlic and onions, but also enhancing effects.

Chemoprevention by indomethacin of tumor promotion in a rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis model

The chemopreventive effects of indomethacin (IM) on the enhancement of bladder carcinogenesis and transitional-epithelial-cell proliferation by butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or sodium L-ascorbate (Na-AsA) were investigated. All animals were given 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) in their drinking water for 4 weeks. They then received 2% BHA or 5% Na-AsA for 20 weeks, followed by 20 ppm IM in the drinking water or normal tap water without supplement for a further 20 weeks, or BHA or Na-AsA alone or concomitantly with IM for 40 weeks. No differences in bladder-tumor development were found when IM was administered after cessation of BHA or Na-AsA exposure. However, IM in combination with either BHA or Na-AsA significantly reduced both the incidence and the multiplicity of papillomas and carcinomas as compared with the values of groups receiving BHA or Na-AsA alone. This was associated with decreased DNA synthesis and prostaglandin (PG) E2 levels in the existing bladder tumors. Combined treatment with IM did not exert any effects on BHA forestomach carcinogenesis. A separate 8-week combination study demonstrated that IM diminished the increase in expression of proliferation nuclear-cell antigen (PCNA) induced by BHA or Na-AsA alone. The present results suggest that PGE2 may be involved in promotion of rat bladder carcinogenesis and that the PG synthesis blocker IM might exert preventive effects on the development of bladder cancer in humans.