Effect of Indigofera aspalathoides on the Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase During 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-Induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms of inflammation and carcinogenesis are significantly influenced by nitric oxide (NO). Three different kinds of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) have been previously found: neuronal NOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and endothelial NOS.

OBJECTIVES

This study looked into the properties of iNOS in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis caused by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA).

METHODS

Thirty outbred young male Syrian golden hamsters, aged six weeks, were split into five groups at random: control (n=6), administered with ethanolic extract (n=6), DMBA+EIA (ethanolic Indigofera aspalathoides) (n=6), 0.5% solution of DMBA in liquid paraffin (n=6), and DMBA alone (n=6).

RESULT

In the group treated with DMBA, the mean quantity of iNOS positive foci per section was roughly 12.2+/-4.7. The DMBA-treated pouch keratinocytes showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic stainings. Neither the mineral oil-treated nor the untreated pouches (n=10) showed any signs of iNOS activity.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this work has shown that hamster pouch carcinomas induced by DMBA express iNOS. This finding raises the possibility that the emergence of chemically induced oral carcinomas is linked to iNOS expression.