Effect of tetragastrin on the colonic mucosa of rats during intrarectal administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

The effects of the C-terminal tetrapeptide of gastrin, tetragastrin, on the colonic mucosa on Days 15 and 25 during intrarectal administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and its effects on the incidences of colonic tumors in experimental Wk 20 and 35 were investigated in Wistar rats. Administration of tetragastrin in depot form during instillation of MNNG resulted in significant decreases in the incidences of mucosal erosions, ulcerations, and atypical regenerative glandular hyperplasias in the colonic mucosa, most of these lesions being greater in the distal half of the colon. Administration of tetragastrin also significantly decreased the incidences and/or numbers of colonic tumors in Wk 20 and 35. The distribution of colonic tumors induced in Wk 20 and 35 corresponded well to those of erosions, ulcerations, and atypical regenerative glandular hyperplasias induced during the administration of MNNG. These findings suggest that the effect of tetragastrin in decreasing the incidences of erosions, ulcerations, and atypical regenerative glandular hyperplasias in the colonic mucosa during instillation of MNNG is related to its effect in reducing the development of colonic tumors.