Oral Intragastric DMBA Administration Induces Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Other Tumors in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background Animal models of blood cancer are important tools to study these malignancies and also screen for novel therapeutic agents. Evidence from past research on the carcinogenic properties of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA) was provided by a handful of studies. However, recent literature on DMBA carcinogenic activity and the underlying mechanisms is scarce. Objective The aim of this study was to develop a chemical model of leukemia using DMBA. Male Wistar rats (6 weeks old) were administered 1.5 mg of DMBA dissolved in sesame oil in biweekly doses using oral intragastric intubation. Materials and Methods Frequent complete blood counts and blood smear morphology assessment were used to assess the development of leukemia, while gross pathology and histopathology staining were used to evaluate malignancy development. Results The results showed that only 4% of rats developed acute lymphocytic leukemia. Interestingly, 36% of the rats developed tumors (parotid tumors [24%] and fibrosarcomas [12%]). Conclusion These results suggest the pleiotropic potential of DMBA in the induction of multiple types of malignancies, including leukemia. This could be used as a model to validate therapeutic targets for leukemia and other induced malignancies.

The Potential Chemotherapeutic Effect of Coenzyme Q10 against Liver Injury in a Leukemia Rat Model by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene; histological and morphometric study

“…The vast majority of circulating leukocytes are neutrophils, which play important roles in a wide range of immunological responses and in ammatory events [38], [39]. The experiment data of the current study are in line with Kabeel et al [27] and El-Masry et al [40].…”