Previously, we proposed a novel mouse model for colitis-related colon carcinogenesis using azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 965-73). In the current study, sequential analysis of pathological alterations during carcinogenesis in our model was conducted to establish the influence of inflammation caused by DSS on colon carcinogenesis in this model. Male ICR mice were given a single intraperitoneal injection of AOM (10 mg/kg body weight) and given 2% (w/v) DSS in the drinking water for 7 days, starting 1 week after the AOM injection. They were sequentially sacrificed at weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 14 for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Colonic adenomas were found in 2 (40% incidence and 0.40 ± ± ± ±0.49 multiplicity) of 5 mice at week 3 and colon carcinomas developed in 2 (40% incidence and 2.00 ± ± ± ±3.52 multiplicity) of 5 mice at week 4. Their incidence gradually increased with time and reached 100% (6.20 ± ± ± ±2.48 multiplicity) at week 6. At week 14, the multiplicity of adenocarcinoma was 9.75 ± ± ± ±2.49 (100% incidence). In addition, colonic dysplasia was noted at all time-points. The scores of colonic inflammation and nitrotyrosine immunohistochemistry were extremely high at early time-points and were well correlated. Our results suggest that combined treatment of mice with AOM and DSS generates neoplasms in the colonic mucosa via dysplastic lesions induced by nitrosative stress. (Cancer Sci 2004; 95: 721-727) n the developed countries, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the commonest non-smoking related causes of cancer deaths. Remarkable differences in the incidence worldwide have led to the hypothesis that this variation could be explained largely by environmental influences.
1)The occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is affected by several factors, including race and geography.2, 3) Life style, particularly intake of high amount of animal fat, is involved in the occurrence of IBD. 4) Over recent decades the incidence of IBD has been rising throughout the world, including Japan, as it has been in the last 50 years in Europe and North America.5) This increase may be caused by increased intake of animal fat. 6) CRC is one of the most serious complications of IBD, especially UC and CD. The risk of CRC becomes greater with increasing extent and duration of the disease. A recent meta-analysis has estimated the incidence rate at 7 per 1000 person-years duration and 12 per 1000 persons per year duration in the second and third decades of UC, respectively.7) The risk for CRC development in CD patients is also high.8) The highest risk of CRC in CD patients was reported to be 26.6 (standardized incidence ratio), although the estimate applied only to patients younger than 21 years of age. 9) Gillen et al.
10)compared the CRC risk in patients with UC and CD and found an 18-fold increase in the risk of developing CRC in extensive CD and a 19-fold increase in risk in extensive...