Cellular toxicity of pancreatic carcinogens.

Abstract

Azaserine (CAS: 115-02-6), streptozocin (CAS: 18883-66-4; streptozotocin), and N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine [(BOP) CAS: 60599-38-4] produce different types of pancreatic tumors in rodents. We have investigated the toxic effects of these compounds on pancreatic tissues from Wistar rats and Syrian hamsters. Inhibition of protein synthesis was used as a measure of toxicity. Pancreatic islets and acinar cells from rat and hamster were labeled with [3H]leucine for 60 minutes in vitro in the presence of the various carcinogens. Azaserine, which produces acinar cell tumors in the rat, inhibited synthesis by all tissues; rat acinar cells, however, were most sensitive. Glutamine, but not serine, provided some protection against azaserine toxicity. Streptozocin inhibited synthesis by islets of both species and acinar cells from hamster; islets were the most sensitive. BOP and N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine, which induce ductal tumors in the hamster, had no effect on any of the tissues examined. These results indicate that the specificities of the cellular toxicities of the pancreatic carcinogens parallel, to some degree, their tumorigenic effects.

• Authors: P F Zucker, A M Chan, M C Archer
• Journal: Journal of the National Cancer Institute (J Natl Cancer Inst) Vol. 76 Issue 6 Pg. 1123-7 (Jun 1986) ISSN: 0027-8874 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2940399 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Carcinogens
• Nitrosamines
• Glutamine
• Tritium
• Streptozocin
• nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine
• N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine
• Azaserine
• Leucine

Topics

• Animals
• Azaserine
• Carcinogens
• Cricetinae
• Glutamine (pharmacology)
• Leucine (metabolism)
• Male
• Mesocricetus
• Nitrosamines
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (chemically induced)
• Protein Biosynthesis
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Streptozocin
• Tritium