The sequential changes in tubular epithelium following single i.p. injections of dimethylnitrosamine in carcinogenic doses were followed from 24 hr up to the development of renal adenocarcinomas. The acute changes involved, in particular, the first segment of the proximal tubules, although at higher doses the distal tubules next to glomeruli were also invariably affected. The acute alterations ...

BACKGROUND Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are important mediators of liver fibrosis. HSC express purinergic receptors for extracellular ATP that induce fibrogenesis. Pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2', 4'-disulfonate (PPADS) is a highly bioavailable purinoceptor inhibitor. We sought to determine whether PPADS could prevent experimental liver fibrosis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of...

In addition to reacting with biologically important nucleophilic sites in DNA, alkylating agents also interact with amino acids in proteins. Measurements of the extent of formation of these alkyl amino acids may be used as a means of determining exposure to these compounds. The degree of S-methylation of cysteine in hemoglobin was studied following in vivo exposure of rats to methyl methanesulf...

Renal neoplasms with induction times ranging from 218 to 505 days appeared in 51 or 64% of 80 male Wistar rats in 3 groups which, when 1 or 7 days old, were given single s.c. injections of dimethylnitrosamine in dosages of 125 ;ug/animal or 10 mg/kg. In 44 male rats so treated after weaning at 21 or 70 days of age, tumor yields were scant and induction times exceeded 480 days, but dimethylnitro...

Following the report of the presence of nitrosamine-like substances in samples of homemade spirit from Zambia, which had been obtained from an area where cancer of the oesophagus is common, samples of distilled alcoholic drinks were collected throughout western Kenya and southern Uganda from areas where the frequency of cancer of the oesophagus varies from very common to very rare. The 44 sampl...

The ability of three model carcinogens, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, di methylnitrosamine, and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo|4,5-/]qiiinoxaline, to induce mutation in a novel in vivo assay in mouse intestine has been examined. The assay is based on mutations at the Dlb-1 locus which determines the tissue specific pattern of expression of the binding site for the lectin Doltchos bifloras agglutinin. In ...

Treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis remains a challenging field. Hepatocyte injury and the activation of hepatic stellate cells are the 2 major events in the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. It is known that several Chinese herbs have significant beneficial effects on the liver; therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of saikosapon...