Chemopreventive action of benzylisothiocyanate on epithelial changes induced in hamster cheek pouch with DMBA

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of benzylisothiocyanate [BIT] on epithelial changes induced by DMBA in the hamster cheek pouch. Eighty male Syrian golden hamsters were divided into four equal groups. Group I received painting of the right buccal pouch with mineral oil three times per week. Group II received painting of the right buccal pouch with BIT three times per week. Group III was treated as Group II and the treated site was painted with DMBA twice per week. Group IV received painting of the right buccal pouch with DMBA twice per week. The findings of this study showed that the most common gross epithelial changes were the formation of polyps. The average number of polyps among Group IV was 7 polyps per animal compared to 3.9 polyps in Group III. Forty-three percent of all the involved animals showed microscopic changes. Forty-two percent of the animals treated with DMBA alone showed invasive carcinoma compared to 26% in the animals treated with DMBA and BIT. Although the statistical analysis did not detect significant difference among the treated groups of animals, the numerical values of this study are in support for the chemopreventive action of BIT against the carcinogenicity of DMBA in the hamster cheek pouch