Inhibition of DNA synthesis and neoplastic cell growth by vitamin A (retinol). 1986

A Lupulescu

The inhibitory effect of vitamin A alcohol (retinol) on the DNA synthesis and neoplastic cell growth of chemically induced carcinomas (squamous cell carcinomas in Swiss male albino mice and basal cell carcinomas in inbred SD rats) by 3-methylcholanthrene [(MCA) CAS: 56-49-5] was studied. A marked inhibition of squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas was observed following a combined administration of MCA and vitamin A (retinol) compared to the finding for animals treated with MCA alone (P less than .001). DNA radioactivity and autoradiographic studies with the use of [3H]thymidine showed a marked inhibition of DNA synthesis (twofold to threefold) in the neoplastic cell nuclei following a concomitant administration of vitamin A (retinol) and MCA (12%) as compared to the DNA synthesis following administration of MCA alone (31%) (P less than .001). Electron microscopic and cytologic observations revealed an advanced cytolysis and disorganization of neoplastic cells with reduction of polysomes, tonofilaments, and lysosome populations and mitochondrial alterations following vitamin A and MCA administration as compared to characteristic squamous neoplastic cells and basal neoplastic cells following MCA treatment alone. In addition, scanning electron microscopy revealed advanced changes of cell surfaces with reduction of microvilli and disorganization of cytoarchitecture. The present findings demonstrate that vitamin A exerts its anticarcinogenic effect by inhibiting DNA synthesis, disrupting cell surfaces, and possibly interfering with MCA metabolism in epidermal cells.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008748 Methylcholanthrene A carcinogen that is often used in experimental cancer studies. 20-Methylcholanthrene,3-Methylcholanthrene,20 Methylcholanthrene,3 Methylcholanthrene
D008855 Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY. Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D011919 Rats, Inbred Strains Genetically identical individuals developed from brother and sister matings which have been carried out for twenty or more generations or by parent x offspring matings carried out with certain restrictions. This also includes animals with a long history of closed colony breeding. August Rats,Inbred Rat Strains,Inbred Strain of Rat,Inbred Strain of Rats,Inbred Strains of Rats,Rat, Inbred Strain,August Rat,Inbred Rat Strain,Inbred Strain Rat,Inbred Strain Rats,Inbred Strains Rat,Inbred Strains Rats,Rat Inbred Strain,Rat Inbred Strains,Rat Strain, Inbred,Rat Strains, Inbred,Rat, August,Rat, Inbred Strains,Rats Inbred Strain,Rats Inbred Strains,Rats, August,Rats, Inbred Strain,Strain Rat, Inbred,Strain Rats, Inbred,Strain, Inbred Rat,Strains, Inbred Rat
D002280 Carcinoma, Basal Cell A malignant skin neoplasm that seldom metastasizes but has potentialities for local invasion and destruction. Clinically it is divided into types: nodular, cicatricial, morphaic, and erythematoid (pagetoid). They develop on hair-bearing skin, most commonly on sun-exposed areas. Approximately 85% are found on the head and neck area and the remaining 15% on the trunk and limbs. (From DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1471) Carcinoma, Basal Cell, Pigmented,Epithelioma, Basal Cell,Rodent Ulcer,Ulcer, Rodent,Basal Cell Carcinoma,Basal Cell Carcinomas,Basal Cell Epithelioma,Basal Cell Epitheliomas,Carcinomas, Basal Cell,Epitheliomas, Basal Cell,Rodent Ulcers,Ulcers, Rodent
D002294 Carcinoma, Squamous Cell A carcinoma derived from stratified SQUAMOUS EPITHELIAL CELLS. It may also occur in sites where glandular or columnar epithelium is normally present. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Carcinoma, Epidermoid,Carcinoma, Planocellular,Carcinoma, Squamous,Squamous Cell Carcinoma,Carcinomas, Epidermoid,Carcinomas, Planocellular,Carcinomas, Squamous,Carcinomas, Squamous Cell,Epidermoid Carcinoma,Epidermoid Carcinomas,Planocellular Carcinoma,Planocellular Carcinomas,Squamous Carcinoma,Squamous Carcinomas,Squamous Cell Carcinomas
D002455 Cell Division The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION. M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D004273 DNA, Neoplasm DNA present in neoplastic tissue. Neoplasm DNA
D000704 Analysis of Variance A statistical technique that isolates and assesses the contributions of categorical independent variables to variation in the mean of a continuous dependent variable. ANOVA,Analysis, Variance,Variance Analysis,Analyses, Variance,Variance Analyses
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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