Effects of BHA or DHEA on DHPN-induced carcinogenesis in opisthorchis vierrine-infected syrian golden hamsters

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma is a unique bile duct cancer with highest incidence in the northeast of Thailand. The tumor is associated with the endemic liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, infection. Development of cholangiocarcinoma in man was attributable to the synergistic action of both nitrosamines which is believed of its presence in fermented fish called Pla-rha, and the liver fluke infection. Experimental results supported those suspects and revealed the initiation role of nitrosamines and strong promotion effects of the parasite. The present study aimed to investigate the possible modifying effect of food additive, BHA and the adrenal steroid DHEA in hamster liver initiated with DHPN followed by 0. viverrini infection. The animals were divided into 8 groups: group 1, DHPN 750 mg/kg + 60 P; group 2, DHPN 750 mg/kg + 60 P+DHEA 0.6% ; group 3, DHPN 750 mg/kg + 60 P+BHA 1% ; group 4, 60 P; group 5, DHPN 750 mg/kg ; group 6, DHPN 750 mg/kg + DHEA 0.6% ; group 7, DHPN 750 mg/kg + BHA 1% ; group 8, untreated control. BHA and DHEA did not show any effect on cholangio carcinogenesis induced by DHPN and the parasite. DHEA also did not show any modifying effect on the development of hepatic nodules, only BHA decrease both the incidence and number per animal of their lesion. However, the mechanism of BHA inhibition of hepatocellular carcinogenesis is not yet clear.