Epidermal growth factor and glucocorticoid effects on blood prostaglandin E 2 level in DENA-induced carcinogenesis

Abstract

This paper describes results on carcinogenesis in rats induced with diethylnitrosamine (DENA; 280 mg/kg single dose, i.p.). After inducing chemical carcinogenesis, the animals were treated with different compounds that affect cell proliferation and the effects on the blood prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) levels were observed. These compounds were epidermal growth factor (EGF, 10 μg/kg/24 h i.p., 7 days) and dexamethasone (4 mg/kg/24 h i.p., 7 days). The blood PGE 2 levels of rats were measured by RIA (Radioimmunoassay). The blood PGE 2 levels increased significantly following DENA and EGF administrations alone or together. Dexamethasone administration decreased the blood PGE 2 levels. In conclusion the data show that the increase in the plasma PGE 2 level by DENA treatment was enhanced by EGF but opposed by dexamethasone. This suggests that EGF may be effective as promoter in chemical carcinogenesis.