Gut Liver.  2012 Apr;6(2):229-234.

Sequential Changes in Aberrant Crypt Foci and Lectin Expression in the Early and Late Stages of DMH-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats

• Won HS
• Maeng LS
• Chae HS
• Kim HK
• Cho YS
• Kang JH
• Jang HS
• Ryu MR

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
The purpose of this study was to investigate the malignant potential of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by measuring the multiplicity of crypts and lectin expression in the early and late stages of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis.
METHODS
Six-week-old Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with DMH for 27 weeks. We classified ACF according to the number of crypts per ACF as a few crypts (< or =3 crypts, FC ACF) or numerous crypts (> or =4 crypts, NC ACF). Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate lectin expression.
RESULTS
In the early stage, FC ACF (590/1,902, 31.0%) occurred more frequently than NC ACF (35/449, 7.8%); whereas in the late stage, NC ACF (176/449, 39.2%) occurred more frequently than FC ACF (324/1,902, 17.0%). The number of ACF peaked at 15 to 20 weeks. The ratio of NC/FC ACF increased gradually during carcinogenesis. The expression of both UEA1 and PNA was higher in NC ACF than FC ACF. Lectin expression increased in the late stage compared with the early stage.
CONCLUSIONS
The expression of lectin was higher in NC ACF and ACF in the late stage. Therefore, ACF with higher multiplicities in the late stage may have more malignant potential in DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Keyword

Aberrant crypt foci; Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I; Peanut agglutinin; Colon carcinogenesis

MeSH Terms

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine
Aberrant Crypt Foci
Animals
Colon
Dimenhydrinate
Immunohistochemistry
Peanut Agglutinin
Rats
Rats, Wistar
1,2-Dimethylhydrazine
Dimenhydrinate
Peanut Agglutinin