Inhibitory effect of 1 alpha -hydroxyvitamin D sub(3) on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced gastrointestinal carcinogenesis in Wistar rats

• Published in: Cancer letters Vol. 122; no. 1-2; pp. 227 - 230
• Main Authors: Kawaura, A, Tanida, N, Nishikawa, M, Yamamoto, I, Sawada, K, Tsujiai, T, Kang, Kyong Boo, Izumi, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1998
• ISSN: 0304-3835

The effect of 1 alpha -hydroxyvitamin D sub(3) (1 alpha (OH)D sub(3)) on gastrointestinal carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in male Wistar rats. After oral treatment with 0.01% MNNG for 24 weeks, rats were given 0.04 mu g of 1 alpha (OH)D sub(3) or its vehicle by gastric intubation three times a week for 24 weeks. The incidence of gastrointestinal tumors was 16/30 (53%) in rats treated with MNNG alone, 16/30 (53%) in those treated with MNNG plus vehicle and 8/30 (27%, P < 0.05) in those treated with MNNG plus 1 alpha (OH)D sub(3). The number of tumors per rat in the group treated with MNNG plus 1 alpha (OH)D sub(3) was half those in the control groups (P < 0.05). Results indicated that a non-hypercalcemic dose of 1 alpha (OH)D sub(3) had an inhibitory effect on MNNG-induced duodeno-intestinal carcinogenesis.