Induction of the deficient acid DNAse activity in mouse interfollicular epidermis by croton oil as a possible tumor promoting mechanism

• Published in: Zeitschrift für Krebsforschung und Klinische Onkologie Vol. 90; no. 2; p. 197
• Main Author: Taper, H S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.01.1977
• Subjects: Animals; Carcinogens; Croton Oil - pharmacology; Deoxyribonucleases - metabolism; Enzyme Induction - drug effects; Male; Mice; Podophyllin - pharmacology; Skin - enzymology
• ISSN: 0084-5353
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00285326

Histochemical activity of acid DNAse, intensity of nucleic acid staining and histological alterations in mouse interfollicular epidermis (I.F.E.) were investigated after a single dose or after chronic topical administration of two hyperplastic agents, of which one (croton oil) was a potent tumor promotor, and the other one (podophyllin) did not promote skin carcinogenesis. Podophyllin induced intense uniform I.F.E. hyperplasia without any proliferation of poorly differentiated basal cells, without increased nucleic acid staining and without any appreciably decreased acid DNAse activity. On the other hand, croton oil (as well as TPA) produced almost immediate, distinct hyperplasia of poorly differentiated basal cells with increased intensity in the staining of both nucleic acids and nearly complete deficiency in acid DNAse activity. Similar histochemical and histological patterns were observed at the sites of wounding hyperplasia in untreated control mice. Such wounding hyperplasia was thought also to be a tumor promoting factor. It was suggested that the decrease in acid DNAse activity which occurred almost immediately after administration of potent tumor promoters and which could not be induced by a hyperplastic agent without tumor promoting action may have a particular importance in the mechanisms of tumor promotion.