Effects of long-term administration of cancer-promoting substances on oral subepithelial mast cells in the rat

• The role of oral subepithelial mast cells in the defence against tumours is a matter of controversy. The effect of established and suggested carcinogens, such as the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4-NQO) and Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), in combination with oral snuff on lower lip subepithelial mast cells (MC) was studied in rats. The rats were exposed to prolonged use of oral snuff. The test substances were administered in a surgically created canal in the lower lip of the rats. There were 15 rats in each test group and 10 rats in the control group. The amount of countable subepithelial mast cells decreased significantly when the rat oral mucosa was exposed to the oral carcinogen 4-NQO but the effect of oral snuff and HSV-1 infection was weak. Our findings suggest that mast cells play a role in immunological cell defence against chemical carcinogens. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Vertebrata

Mammalia

Rodentia

Virus

Herpesviridae

Alphaherpesvirinae

Rat

Herpesvirus hominis 1

Subepithelial cell

Carcinogen

Carcinogenesis

Malignant tumor

4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide

Mast cell

Oral mucosa

Tumour development

Oncology

Onkologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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