Attenuating effect of bromocriptine on cysteamine anticarcinogenesis of stomach cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

The effect of bromocriptine on inhibition by cysteamine of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine was investigated in inbred Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of p.o. treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, rats were given injections every other day: cysteamine (50 mg/kg body weight); cysteamine (50 mg/kg body weight) plus bromocriptine (0.5 or 0.25 mg/kg body weight); or bromocriptine (0.5 or 0.25 mg/kg body weight). In week 52, the group treated with cysteamine showed a significantly decreased incidence of gastric cancers. Concomitant treatment with bromocriptine at 0.5 but not at 0.25 mg/kg body weight significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis. Administration of bromocriptine alone at either dosage had no influence on gastric carcinogenesis. The labeling index of the antral mucosa was significantly reduced in rats treated with cysteamine and significantly higher in those treated concomitantly with bromocriptine at 0.5 mg/kg body weight than in those treated with cysteamine alone. These findings indicate that cysteamine suppressed gastric carcinogenesis and that bromocriptine at high dosage attenuated this inhibition. These findings also suggest that dopamine is involved in the mechanism of inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis by cysteamine.