Some Chemical Carcinogens for Leukaemia Induction and Their Animal Models

Animal models have been providing invaluable contributions to the better understanding of mechanisms of cancer (including leukaemias) development and effectiveness of most of the treatments. Chemical carcinogens are generally used to study the biology of cancers including leukaemias in many animal models, including rats and mice. The studies in most cases are aimed at the development and evaluation of cancer treatments and preventions. Some of the most common chemical carcinogens used in animal models for leukaemias include N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). This review provides highlights on different animal models of leukaemia induced by the chemical carcinogens mentioned earlier, at the same time discussing the contributions of these models to the leukaemia diagnosis in laboratory animal models for subsequent development of treatment.

Brewers' rice attenuated aberrant crypt foci developing in colon of azoxymethane-treated rats

Brewers' rice is one of abundant agricultural waste products in the rice industry. The present study is designed to investigate the potential of brewers' rice to inhibit the development of aberrant crypt foci [ACF] in colon of azoxymethane [AOM]-treated rats. The effects on the attenuation of hepatic toxicity and kidney function enzymes were also evaluated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: [G1] normal; [G2] AOM alone; and [G3], [G4], and [G5], which were AOM fed with 10%, 20%, and 40% [w/w] of brewers' rice, respectively. The rats in group 2-5 were injected intraperitoneally with AOM [15 mg/kg body weight] once weekly for two weeks. After 8 weeks of treatment, the total number of ACF/colon and the number of ACF in the distal and middle colon were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared to G2 [p<0.05]. Brewers' rice decreased the number of ACF with dysplastic morphology in a dose-dependent manner. Alkaline phosphatase [ALP] level in G5 was significantly lower compared to the G2 [p<0.05]. In conclusion, this study found the potential value of brewers' rice in reducing the risk of cancer susceptibility in colon