Endocrinology Vol. 140, No. 10 4886-4894
Copyright © 1999 by The Endocrine Society
17ß-Estradiol Modulates Gastroduodenal Preneoplastic Alterations in Rats Exposed to the Carcinogen N-Methyl-N'-Nitro-Nitrosoguanidine1
Martha Campbell-Thompson,
Gregory Y. Lauwers,
Kristen K. Reyher,
Josh Cromwell and
Kathleen T. Shiverick
Departments of Medicine (M.C.-T., K.Y.R., J.C.), Pathology,
Immunology and Laboratory Medicine (G.Y.L.), and Pharmacology and
Therapeutics (K.T.S.), College of Medicine, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32610
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Martha Campbell-Thompson, Box 100214 JHMHC, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610. E-mail:
thompmc{at}medicine.ufl.edu
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Abstract
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Gastric cancers are a significant cause of morbidity worldwide.
Epidemiological studies and animal models show that males have higher
incidences of gastric cancers compared with females, suggesting that
sex hormones may modulate gastric cancer risk. An animal model of the
initiation phase of gastric cancer was used to determine the effects of
systemic estrogen administration on morphological progression of
preneoplastic lesions and to define cell populations at which estrogens
may act. Preneoplastic progression in antral and duodenal mucosa was
examined in male rats that received the chemical carcinogen,
N-methyl-N'-nitro-nitrosoguanidine
(MNNG), during treatment with implants containing 17ß-estradiol or
oil vehicle. Histopathological changes in antral and duodenal gland
morphology, numbers of proliferating cells and apoptotic bodies, and
antral gastrin cell numbers and protein storage levels were determined
4 weeks later. With MNNG treatment, duodenal villous heights were
significantly decreased, and epithelial cells displayed histological
features of hyperplasia and dysplasia. Antral glands showed epithelial
hyperplasia and dysplasia, increased mucosal height, and decreased
mucin levels. Antral gastrin storage protein levels were decreased by
MNNG. Systemic treatment with 17ß-estradiol significantly reversed
MNNG-induced alterations in duodenal gland heights while increasing
mucin and gastrin levels in antral glands. Cell proliferation and
apoptosis rates were not significantly different between groups. The
present results indicate that systemic 17ß-estradiol treatment
influences antral and duodenal gland differentiation during the
initiation phase of chemical gastroduodenal carcinogenesis in male
rats. These results explain, in part, a potential pathway through which
protective effects of estrogens on chemical carcinogenesis are mediated
in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
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Introduction
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GASTRIC CANCER is one of the most common
neoplasms worldwide, and numerous clinical and
experimental studies suggest that sex hormones alter gastric
cancer risk (1, 2, 3). Gastric cancer incidence rates are
approximately 2-fold higher in males than in females in nearly every
country studied. Differences in sex ratios also depend on gastric site
as ratios for proximal cancers are approximately 7-fold higher in males
than females (4). Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in postmenopausal
women significantly reduces the incidence of colorectal adenocarcinomas
(reviewed in Ref. 5). Epidemiological studies for effects of ERT on
gastric cancer risk have not been performed in the United States,
though a trend for risk reduction was found in Italian women (6). Women
with late onset of menopause also have a reduced risk of gastric cancer
(7). Several groups have clearly shown a higher incidence for
experimental gastric tumors in male animals compared with females
(rats, mice, hamsters) (8, 9, 10, 11).
Environmental factors are important etiological factors in human
gastric carcinogenesis with N-nitrosamino compounds the most
commonly investigated agents. These compounds are found in cured meats,
some drinking water, and certain vegetables. They can be converted by
certain bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori into
nitrosamines that have been found to cause gastric cancer in animals.
Chronic administration of
N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine
(MNNG) in drinking water to rats produces adenocarcinomas in the distal
glandular stomach (antrum) and upper small intestines (duodenum)
(11, 12, 13, 14, 15). The MNNG model has been used extensively to study mechanisms
of human chemical gastric carcinogenesis because the antral
adenocarcinomas share gender-related incidences, histological features,
and distribution patterns with human upper gastrointestinal (GI)
adenocarcinomas (11, 16). MNNG acts directly on upper GI epithelial
cells, causing methylation of DNA and proteins. It is rapidly converted
to N-methyl-N'-nitroguanidine that is not
carcinogenic. Adenocarcinomas develop at the gastric lesser curvature
wherein higher cell proliferative rates and thiol concentrations may
increase local susceptibility (17, 18).
Large differences have been observed in the sensitivity of different
rat strains to MNNG-induced tumors (reviewed in Ref. 19). These
differences were observed following identical treatment with MNNG in
the drinking water. Male Wistar and ACI rats were very sensitive to
MNNG, whereas male Sprague Dawley rats had intermediate sensitivity and
Buffalo rats were resistant. Several parameters have been studied to
account for genetic differences in sensitivity to MNNG that include
MNNG metabolism by N-denitrosation, tissue glutathione
levels, O-methylguanine demethylation (DNA repair), and cell
proliferation rates (19, 20). Of all these factors, cell proliferation
rate (number and range of distribution) was the only factor that
predicted strain sensitivity (20). Thus, the proliferative response of
the gastric mucosa was proposed to be a key factor in the difference of
susceptibility to gastric carcinogens between male rats of various
strains.
Within these strains, gender differences in tumor incidence have also
been determined (21). Rats were administered MNNG (83 µg/ml) in their
drinking water for 8 months and were killed at 18 months. The incidence
of gastric adenocarcinoma in ACI rats was 80% in males and 47% in
females. In contrast, the incidence was 18% in males and 0% in
females in Buffalo rats. The F1 progeny of sensitive (ACI) and
resistant (Buffalo) stains had a dominant resistant phenotype in males
and sensitive phenotype in females (17% male vs. 8%
female). These incidences indicate complex interactions between MNNG
susceptibility and gender. Sprague Dawley rats are reported to have
intermediate sensitivity (19, 22), but gender incidences have been not
reported. In another study, administration of MNNG for 4 months with
tumor incidences determined at 12 months resulted in gastric carcinomas
in 80% of Wistar male rats compared with an incidence of < 6%
of ovariectomized and intact female rats (8). Castration decreased the
incidence to 30%. Another report from the same laboratory showed a
slight reduction in tumor incidences in male rats receiving estradiol
treatment (88% vs. 68% (23). Estradiol was administered as
twice weekly injections (400 µg/kg) for 4 months starting 2 months
after beginning MNNG treatment. This evidence suggests that female
hormones suppress, and male hormones promote, gastric cancer risk.
Although male rats are known to be more susceptible than females to
MNNG-induced gastric tumors, the gender-specific mechanism has not been
investigated.
Estrogens regulate cell growth and differentiation in numerous tissues
in both females and males and have critical roles in breast and uterine
carcinogenesis (24). Estrogens act on cells through intracellular
estrogen receptors (ER) that regulate target gene expression although
nongenomic effects have also been reported (25). Recently, two ER
subtypes, ER
and ERß, have been characterized with differences in
tissue distribution, ligand binding, transcriptional activity, and
dimerization specificity (26, 27, 28). Expression of both ER
and ERß
have been reported in epithelial cells of the upper GI tract with a
predominance of ERß over ER
expression (29, 30, 31). Additional
complexity would be expected in those cell types that express both
receptors as ER homodimer (ER
/ER
; ERß/ERß) or heterodimer
(ER
/ERß) formation can occur (32).
Mechanisms for protective effects of estrogens in gastric
carcinogenesis are not known and could involve direct effects on
mucosal cells, indirect effects mediated through other agents, or both.
As a first step in identifying the roles of estrogens in GI
carcinogenesis, a rat model for human gastric cancer was used to
examine the influence of systemic estrogen exposure on morphological
progression of preneoplastic lesions and to define the cell populations
at which estrogens may act. Systemic and local effects of
17ß-estradiol administration were examined in male rats that received
sc implants of 17ß-estradiol (E2) or oil vehicle before and during
the initiation phase of gastroduodenal carcinogenesis induced by
MNNG.
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Materials and Methods
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Reagents
Serum testosterone and estradiol levels were determined by RIA
at Equitech Labs (Alachua, FL). MNNG was purchased from
Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI). All other reagents were obtained
from Sigma (St. Louis, MO) or Fisher Scientific (Norcross, GA).
Animals and experimental protocol
Young adult male Sprague Dawley rats (6 weeks old, weight
150
g, n = 48; Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc.,
Indianapolis, IN) were used. All experiments were approved by the
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee using protocols according
to the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and by the
Environmental Health and Safety office at the University of Florida.
Rats were randomly assigned in groups of 23/cage and housed on wood
chips (14-h light, 10-h dark cycle). Rats were acclimated to a powdered
diet (AIN 76A, Tekland, Madison, WI) containing casein protein rather
than soy protein, a major source of genistein and other phytochemicals
with potential estrogenic activity (33). Following 1 week on the AIN
diet, rats were anesthetized and SILASTIC brand silicon tubing
(Dow Corning, Midland, MI) containing either
17ß-estradiol (E2; 300 µg/ml in sesame oil;
Sigma) or oil vehicle were placed sc as previously
described (29). All implants were replaced after 2.5 weeks.
One week following the first implant placement, rats were given MNNG
(CAS: 7025-7)(100 µg/ml, (12)) or plain tap water. Stock solutions
of MNNG (1 mg/ml in tap water) were prepared fresh weekly and stored at
4 C. The stock solution was diluted with tap water just before use and
placed in a tin-foil covered bottle to prevent photolysis of MNNG. Food
and water intakes were recorded and drinking solutions replenished
three times a week. Weekly body weights were determined.
After 4 weeks of MNNG treatment and 2 h before they were killed,
rats received an injection of the thymidine analog bromo-deoxyuridine
(BrdU; 50 mg/kg ip) to label cells in the S phase of the cell cycle.
Two hours later, rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60
mg/kg) and the abdominal aorta was cannulated for serum collection and
in vivo perfusion with 100 ml phosphate buffer (PBS, 10
mM KPO4, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.4)
followed by 200 ml 2% paraformaldehyde-lysine-periodate (PLP) (34).
During perfusion, the stomach was distended with 2 ml PLP. The stomach
and duodenum (proximal 5 cm) were removed and opened and ingesta rinsed
off with PBS. Tissues were postfixed overnight in PLP at 4 C. Sections
of fundus, antrum (midline on lesser curvature) and duodenum were
embedded in paraffin for light microscopy. Sections from antrum were
embedded in Lowicryl resin for immunogold labeling as previously
described (35) or in plastic resin (TAAB 812, Merivac, Halifax, Nova
Scotia). Blood samples were collected before perfusion, stored on ice
for 30 min, and spun at 3000 x g for 20 min. Serum was
collected and stored at -75 C.
Histopathology
Alterations in mucosal morphology were determined on sections
immersion-fixed in 10% formalin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin for
nuclear detail and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) histochemistry for mucin
staining. Histological classification of lesions was made using
established criteria from human pathology for grade of dysplasia (03
scale, none to severe) (36). Sections were coded so that the observer
(GYL) was unaware of the treatment group.
Image analysis
Antral gland heights and duodenal villus height and crypt depth
were measured in regions in which full-length glands were oriented
perpendicular to the submucosa. Height of antral and duodenal glands
was measured using a Carl Zeiss Axiophot microscope fitted
with a 10x objective and 1.25 optivar setting. Images were captured
with a video camera (Hamamatsu C2400, Hamamatsu City, Japan) linked to
a personal computer with frame grabber and image analysis software
(Vidas 2.1, Carl Zeiss, Thornwood, NY). The image analysis
system was calibrated for each objective and optivar combination by
tracing a reference distance on a stage micrometer. For each rat, 58
antral glands were measured in proximal, middle and distal regions.
Duodenal villous and crypt heights were measured in four to eight
glands from proximal and distal regions in each rat. Total duodenal
gland height was calculated as the sum of villous and crypt height for
each gland.
Gastrin immunogold analysis
Gastrin protein levels within storage granules were quantified
by immunogold analysis. Ultrathin sections were placed on
formvar-coated nickel grids and incubated with 0.1 M
NH4Cl for 1 h. Grids were washed in Tris buffer (TBS;
10 mM Tris HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) followed
by blocking buffer (10 mM Tris HCl, pH 7.5, 500
mM NaCl, 1% BSA). Grids were incubated with rabbit
polyclonal antibodies to gastrin (1:500) in blocking buffer overnight
at 4 C followed by washing in TBS. Grids were incubated with goat
antirabbit antiserum conjugated with 15 nm gold particles (1:200,
Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) followed by washing with TBS.
Sections were counterstained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate
before examination using a Carl Zeiss transmission
electron microscope. Gastrin cells were randomly selected and cells
containing a nucleus were photographed. Storage granules were selected
from photographs (
16,000 final magnification) and defined as
symmetrical gray densities 0.30.7 mm in diameter. Gold particles
within four to eight storage granules were counted and data expressed
as average number per storage granule/cell. This average was then used
to calculate a mean value for each rat (47 gastrin cells/rat).
Controls for immunogold staining included replacement of the primary
antisera with normal rabbit serum or PBS.
Immunohistochemistry for BrdU incorporation and gastrin cell
numbers
Cells in the S phase of the cell cycle and gastrin-producing
neuroendocrine cells were counted following immunohistochemistry.
Following rehydration to PBS, tissue sections were placed in citrate
buffer (10 mM, pH 6.0) and heated in a microwave at full
power (750 W) for 10 min with buffer replenishment every 2.5 min.
Sections were cooled for 20 min at room temperature and washed in PBS
for 5 min. Sections were incubated in 10% normal goat serum for 10 min
following by the primary antibody overnight at 4 C (mouse monoclonal
anti-BrdU peroxidase conjugate, Roche Molecular Biochemicals; rabbit polyclonal anti-gastrin). Sections were
washed in PBS and incubated in 3% H2O2/PBS for
10 min to inactivate endogenous peroxidase. Sections were incubated for
10 min with peroxidase conjugated antirabbit antibodies for gastrin
cell detection. Immunoreactivity was localized by incubation with
diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride substrate. Cell counting was
performed in regions with glands oriented perpendicular to the
submucosa. Numbers of positive BrdU nuclei and gastrin cells in the
antral glands were counted in five to eight rectangular reference
frames with the 40x objective and 1.6 optivar setting. Number of
positive BrdU nuclei in duodenal crypts were counted as above using the
20x objective and 2.0 optivar setting. The reference frame from the
imaging system was overlaid on the section with the shortest side
aligned at the muscularis mucosa to encompass four to five glands. The
viewer was unaware of treatment conditions.
Apoptosis rates in antral glands
Several methods are available for determining rates of apoptosis
including morphological assessment on stained sections and in
situ DNA end labeling methods (37, 38). Cell necrosis following
inadequate fixation has been reported to effect apoptosis rates
determined by the end labeling method in the rat intestinal tract (38).
The accuracy of apoptosis detection was enhanced by using semithin
plastic resin sections with toluidine blue staining rather than using
H&E sections (39). Cells undergoing apoptosis were estimated by
counting numbers of apoptotic cell bodies/500 cells. Apoptotic bodies
were identified as small, round cells with dense nuclear staining
surrounded by a distinct clear cytoplasm. Cells in the entire antral
gland unit were counted from superficial epithelium to the base of
glands in regions where glands were oriented perpendicular to the
submucosa.
Data analysis
Three independent experimental trials were performed with 26
rats/treatment group in each trial. Data are presented as mean ±
SEM (N = number of rats/treatment group) and were
analyzed by one-way ANOVA with posthoc t-tests for
significant differences (P < 0.05).
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Results
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Morphological alterations in antrum and duodenum induced by
MNNG
Data in Fig. 1
show that MNNG
induced striking alterations in antral and duodenal gland morphology.
In the antrum, MNNG induced mucosal hyperplasia and surface epithelial
dysplasia (Fig. 1B
). Nuclear alterations were observed in surface cells
following MNNG. Surface epithelial cells in the proximal glandular
region (gastric fundus) did not show hyperplasia or dysplasia (not
shown). Staining for mucin, determined by PAS histochemistry, was
reduced throughout the antral glands particularly in superficial and
neck mucous cells. Grade of antral dysplasia was significantly
increased compared with control (Table 1
)
and dysplastic foci or adenocarcinoma were detected in two animals. In
contrast, MNNG induced duodenal villus shortening and widening and
mucosal hyperplasia and epithelial dysplasia (Fig. 1
, DF). Systemic
17ß-estradiol treatment modulated glandular alterations induced by
MNNG in both antrum and duodenum. Mucin staining was increased to
control levels throughout the antral glands following 17ß-estradiol
treatment (Fig. 1C
). As well, antral dysplastic foci or adenocarcinomas
were not observed and grade of dysplasia was improved by
17ß-estradiol treatment (Table 1
). Duodenal gland heights were
increased in 17ß-estradiol treated rats (Fig. 1F
). These data show
that MNNG induced differential patterns of changes in antral and
duodenal glands and that these alterations could be modulated by
17ß-estradiol administration.

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Figure 1. Alterations in antral (AC) and duodenal (DF)
gland morphology induced by MNNG. Tissue sections were stained with
hematoxylin and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Rats were untreated (A, D),
MNNG (B, E) or MNNG and 17ß-estradiol implants (C, F) as described in
Materials and Methods. For antral sections, sections are
aligned at the muscularis mucosa (MM) as shown in a control panel (A).
Antral mucosa in MNNG-treated rats (B) is thicker with hyperplasia and
dysplasia of the superficial epithelium (SE). MNNG treatment resulted
in reduced mucin staining (pink) throughout the glands. MNNG and
17ß-estradiol treatment (C) reduced superficial dysplasia and
increased mucin staining throughout the antral glands. In panels DF,
duodenal glands consist of upper villous (V) and lower crypt (C)
regions as shown on the left of a control panel (D). Sections are
aligned across villous crypt junctions of representative sections.
Villi in the MNNG group (E) are blunted and widened. MNNG and
17ß-estradiol-treated rats (F) had increased villous heights.
Original magnifications: antrum, 80x; duodenum, 62.5x.
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Table 1. Morphological preneoplastic changes in antral glands
in control rats and rats receiving MNNG and oil vehicle (MNNG) or
17ß-estradiol implants (MNNG+E2)
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Antral and duodenal gland heights were quantified using a calibrated
image analysis system. MNNG treatment resulted in significantly
increased antral mucosal gland heights, whereas duodenal gland heights
were decreased (Fig. 2
). These effects
represented an increase of 164% in antral gland height and a decrease
of 47% in duodenal villous height compared with control rats. Duodenal
crypt height was not changed by MNNG treatment (Fig. 2
).
17ß-Estradiol administration significantly reversed MNNG-induced
alterations in duodenal total gland and villous heights. Increases in
antral gland heights induced by MNNG were slightly decreased by
17ß-estradiol cotreatment (P = 0.068) (Fig. 2
). Thus,
17ß-estradiol treatment primarily had a protective effect on duodenal
gland height in this model.

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Figure 2. 17ß-estradiol treatment modulates alterations in
mucosal gland heights induced by MNNG. Antral (A) gland and duodenal
(B) total gland, villous and crypt heights were measured on formalin
embedded sections using a calibrated image analysis system.
17ß-estradiol significantly increased duodenal total gland and
villous heights during MNNG administration (MNNG + E2),
whereas antral gland heights tended to decrease compared with MNNG.
Duodenal crypt heights were significantly increased following MNNG +
E2 compared with controls. Mean ± SEM,
n = 89, a, P < 0.05 from
control; b, P < 0.05 from MNNG
(ANOVA).
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Antral gastrin protein levels
Neuroendocrine gastrin cells were studied to further analyze
effects of MNNG on cell differentiation in the antral mucosa. Similar
numbers of gastrin cells were found in all groups (Fig. 3
). The effect of MNNG on intracellular
gastrin protein levels was quantified using immunogold analysis.
Immunoreactivity for gastrin was found in the small, electron dense
storage granules, over intracellular membranes and occasionally within
the nucleus (Fig. 4
). 17ß-estradiol
treatment significantly increased gastrin levels in storage granules
compared with MNNG treatment alone (Fig. 4
).

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Figure 3. Gastrin cell numbers were not altered by MNNG
treatment. Gastrin cells were stained by immunohistochemistry and
numbers of positive cells per field of view were counted as described
in Materials and Methods. Mean ± SEM,
n = 46.
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Figure 4. 17ß-estradiol treatment increased gastrin
immunoreactivity during MNNG treatment. Gastrin protein levels in
storage granules were estimated by immunogold analysis as described in
Materials and Methods. Representative photomicrographs
of gastrin cells from MNNG (A, B) and MNNG+E2 (C, D)
treated rats (original magnification 16,000x). Regions
(stars) within each cell have been enlarged and prints
developed with less contrast to emphasize localization of gold
particles (arrows) within storage granules
(arrowheads). E, Numbers of gold particles/storage
granule were significantly increased by MNNG and 17ß-estradiol
treatment. Mean ± SEM, a,
P < 0.05 from MNNG, n = 46.
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Control conditions for the immunogold analysis using replacement of the
primary antibody with normal rabbit serum or PBS showed occasional
nuclear labeling in various cell types (not shown). Gastrin antisera
was specific for gastrin producing cells as other cell types including
neuroendocrine somatostatin and serotonin cells and their respective
storage granules were not immunoreactive (not shown).
Cell proliferation and apoptosis rates
We next used BrdU immunohistochemistry to evaluate the effects of
MNNG on antral and duodenal crypt cells undergoing DNA synthesis in the
S phase of the cell cycle. In antral glands following MNNG
administration, the number of proliferating cells was increased
approximately 2.5-fold and their position within the gland shifted from
the base upward toward the superficial epithelium (Fig. 5
). Proliferating cells were detected in
the superficial epithelium of an antral adenocarcinoma that developed
in an MNNG-treated rat (Fig. 5
). Quantitation of the antral labeling
index showed that pretreatment with 17ß-estradiol did not decrease
antral cell proliferation induced by MNNG (Fig. 5
). Similarly in the
duodenum, MNNG-induced increases in the labeling index (1.6-fold) were
not significantly altered by 17ß-estradiol cotreatment (Fig. 5
).

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Figure 5. Distribution and numbers of S phase cells in
antral and duodenal glands following MNNG. Antral stem cells in S phase
of the cell cycle were detected by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine
followed by immunohistochemistry. Sections are aligned at the
muscularis mucosa (MM). In control rats (A), few positive nuclei were
detected in the base of antral glands. MNNG treatment (B) increased
numbers of proliferating cells with an upward shift of the
proliferating zone toward the superficial epithelium (SE).
17ß-estradiol cotreatment with MNNG (C) did not significantly alter
position of proliferating cells. D, Section of an antral adenocarcinoma
from a male rat treated with MNNG demonstrating neoplastic glands and
extension of proliferating cells to the surface epithelium
(arrow). Original magnifications: AC, 80x; D, 40x.
E, BrdU-positive nuclei were counted in antral glands and duodenal
crypts as described in Materials and Methods. MNNG and
MNNG + E2 treatments significantly increased numbers of
proliferating cells. Data are expressed as number/field of view
(labeling index) (mean ± SEM for n = 46;
a P < 0.05 from control).
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Rates of apoptosis were estimated using morphological criteria for
apoptotic bodies on plastic sections by light microscopy. Numbers of
apoptotic bodies were significantly increased following MNNG treatment
(Fig. 6
). 17ß-estradiol cotreatment did
not alter this endpoint.

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Figure 6. Numbers of apoptotic bodies in antral glands
following MNNG treatment. Apoptotic cell bodies were counted in antral
glands from resin embedded sections as described in Materials
and Methods. Rates of apoptosis were increased by MNNG and
MNNG+E2 treatments. Data are expressed as number/500 cells
(mean ± SEM, n = 35, a,
P < 0.05 from control).
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General animal health in the MNNG model
Rats given MNNG appeared to be in good health but had decreased
weight gain (Table 2
). Food intake tended
to be lower in the MNNG-treated groups particularly in the rats with
17ß-estradiol implants (Table 2
). Testicular weights, when normalized
to body weight, were not altered by 17ß-estradiol treatment and serum
testosterone levels were not significantly different between groups
(Table 2
). Serum estrogen levels measured 18 days following placement
of 17ß-estradiol implants were similar to those in normal cycling
female Sprague Dawley rats from our lab (12.3 ± 3 vs.
12.0 ± 3 pg/ml, respectively, n = 6/group). These serum
levels are similar to other published levels for physiological ranges
of estradiol fluctuations during normal estrus cycles (40). The control
and MNNG males had serum estrogen concentrations of 7.7 ± 2 and
6.2 ± 1 pg/ml, respectively (n = 5/group). These values are
similar to previously reported serum estrogen levels in male rats
(41).
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Table 2. Physical parameters (body weight, testicular weight,
food intake) and serum testosterone levels in control rats and rats
receiving MNNG and oil vehicle (MNNG) or 17ß-estradiol implants
(MNNG+E2)
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Discussion
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The majority of experimental studies on the development of human
gastric adenocarcinoma have been performed in the rat. Various
therapeutic agents enhance or suppress the carcinogenic activity of
MNNG (42, 43, 44, 45, 46). The present study examined whether systemic estrogens
could modify preneoplastic alterations induced by MNNG. The MNNG model
was chosen because gender differences, histopathological
characteristics and distribution patterns mimic those observed in human
upper GI adenocarcinomas (11, 16). An earlier report showed a slight
decrease in tumor incidence in Wistar male rats receiving
17ß-estradiol injections when started 2 months after MNNG treatment
(23). In our study, exposure to 17ß-estradiol began 1 week before and
continued throughout MNNG exposure for 1 month.
The present study confirms earlier reports that preneoplastic
proliferative lesions are observed as early as 4 weeks following MNNG
treatment and that these early changes correlate with tumor development
(14, 45). A greater susceptibility to the carcinogenic effects of MNNG
has been reported for the upper small intestine (duodenum) compared
with the glandular stomach in rats with preneoplastic alterations
consisting of villus blunting and crypt elongation as shown in this
study (15, 47). We present new data showing that the upper intestine is
a particularly sensitive site for estrogenic protection. These data are
compelling in light of the probable protective effect of estrogen
replacement therapy on reducing large intestinal, i.e.
colon, cancer risk in postmenopausal women (reviewed in Ref. 5).
Altered mucus secretion is also a premalignant alteration observed
following MNNG treatment (48, 49). This study shows that mucin levels
were similar to control conditions in rats receiving MNNG and
17ß-estradiol treatments.
MNNG treatment resulted in antral cell hyperplasia with displacement of
stem cells toward the superficial epithelium. These changes are
considered obligatory preneoplastic lesions that increase the potential
for direct stem cell exposure to MNNG (49). One potential mechanism of
action of estrogens on mucosal cells could involve modulation of stem
cells leading to reductions in cell proliferation. The present study
shows a significant increase in number of cells undergoing DNA
synthesis in antral glands and duodenal crypts following MNNG
treatment. These alterations in labeling indices paralleled changes in
antral gland and duodenal crypt heights. 17ß-estradiol administration
did not alter proliferation rates under these conditions. A
compensatory mechanism for excessive cell proliferation is an increased
rate of programmed cell death or apoptosis (50). Apoptosis rates were
increased following MNNG treatment but were not altered by
17ß-estradiol treatment. More sensitive detection methods, such as
ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy, may be required to
detect significant differences between treatment groups, if they exist,
as basal rates of apoptosis in the antrum are very low (37, 50).
Apoptosis rates in human gastric carcinomas are closely associated with
cell proliferation rates and apparently do not have biological
significance as a prognostic factor (51).
Gastrin is a well-characterized hormonal regulator of proximal gastric
and duodenal cell growth and mucosal barrier production (52, 53).
Gastrin is synthesized as a prohormone, and following processing in the
Golgi apparatus, is concentrated in small electron dense storage
granules that contain several processing enzymes (54). This study
reports for the first time that gastrin protein levels in storage
granules are significantly increased following MNNG and 17ß-estradiol
treatments. The differences in intragranular gastrin protein levels are
not expected to yield significant alterations in serum gastrin levels
as gastrin cell numbers and messenger RNA steady-state levels (data not
shown) are not different between groups. The effects of sex steroid
hormones on serum gastrin levels have been studied. In Sprague Dawley
rats and guinea pigs, males have higher levels of serum gastrin levels
than females and serum levels correlate with antral gastrin
concentrations or gastrin cell numbers (55, 56, 57). However,
17ß-estradiol treatment in either castrated or ovariectomized rats
does not significantly lower serum gastrin levels implying that
estrogens alone may not have a role in gender differences (55, 56). In
contrast, 17ß-estradiol administration in ovariectomized mice results
in significant increases in serum gastrin levels (58).
The effects of systemic estrogens on differentiation of mucous and
gastrin cells could result from improved mucosal barrier function as
both cell types have apical membranes raising the potential for direct
exposure to luminal MNNG. This proposal is supported by studies showing
protective roles of estrogens in acute rat gastric injury models (59).
Interestingly, estrogens were prescribed at one time for duodenal
ulcers in humans (60). Mechanisms for improved mucosal barrier function
could result from alterations in MNNG metabolism or luminal pH. Gender
differences in glutathione levels and antioxidant enzymes are known for
different regions of the rat GI tract (61). Glutathione levels are
significantly higher in gastric and duodenal mucosa of female Sprague
Dawley rats compared with males (61). However, higher glutathione
levels would probably increase MNNG susceptibility (18, 19, 62).
Glutathione peroxidase activity is also significantly higher in gastric
mucosa of females compared with males (61). 17ß-estradiol treatment
decreases gastric acid secretion in ovariectomized rats however MNNG is
more efficiently absorbed at higher pH levels (63, 64). Taken together,
these data suggest a mechanism distinct from known effects of
estrogens in the upper GI tract for mediating protective effects during
MNNG carcinogenesis.
Our data confirm decreased body weight gain following MNNG treatment
(14) and further show that decreased body weight gain was associated
with small reductions in food intake. Reduction of appetite by
estrogens has been previously reported (65). As expected, rats treated
with both 17ß-estradiol and MNNG had decreased weight gain and food
intake, with testicular weights reduced in parallel with body weights.
These changes occurred with serum testosterone levels remaining similar
between treatment groups.
Despite the severity of lesions induced by MNNG, systemic estrogen
treatment in male rats resulted in significant protective effects.
Direct effects in mucosal cells, secondary effects mediated by other
agents, or both, could mediate protective effects. The potential for a
direct effect is suggested by studies showing that ER, particularly the
recently identified ERß subtype, are expressed in rat antral and
duodenal epithelium (29, 66). In another study using male rats,
expression of antral ER
, determined by RIA, remained constant while
androgen and epidermal growth factor receptors declined throughout the
course of MNNG treatment (67). ER expression in GI epithelial
cells suggests that direct hormonal manipulation of cell function is
possible. Further studies in conjunction with in vitro cell
culture models and ER gene knockout animal models (68), particularly
those with deletions for ERß, are needed to further test this
proposal. Such studies would have relevance for understanding potential
mechanisms by which female hormones reduce GI cancer risk.
 |
Acknowledgments
|
|---|
The authors thank Dr. James E. McGuigan for supplying the
gastrin antisera, Dr. Puspha S. Kalra for advice on implants, Dr. Jill
Verlander for advice on immunogold analysis, Charlyn Austria, and Wendy
Wilbur for technical assistance, and Jeff Knee for digital image
processing.
 |
Footnotes
|
|---|
1 Portions of this work were presented at the American
Gastroenterological Association annual meeting (Gastroenterology
114:A574, 1998) and the International Life Sciences North
America Conference (Proceedings, International Life Sciences
North America, Human Diet and Endocrine Modulation: Estrogenic
and Androgenic Effects. ILSI Press, Washington, DC, 1998, p 298). 
Received February 23, 1999.
 |
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