Comparative study of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and azoxymethane on the induction of colorectal cancer in rats

The induced colorectal carcinogenesis in rodents has a long history and currently uses the substances 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and azoxymethane. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the inductive effect of the substances azoxymethane and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in colorectal carcinogenesis. Method: 30 randomly chosen male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. G1 group was treated with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and C1 was its control group; G2 group was treated azoxymethane and C2 was its control group. The animals were weekly weighed until euthanasia, when their intestines were removed, processed and analyzed by an experienced pathologist. Results: Among the control groups (C1 and C2) no histologic changes were observed; moderate dysplasia was detected in G2 group; hyperplasia, mild dysplasia, severe dysplasia and carcinoma were observed in G1 group. When this study compared the cost of the substances, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine was more than 50 times less expensive than azoxymethane. Conclusion: Azoxymethane is able to promote histological changes consistent with colorectal carcinogenesis. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine produced neoplasia and dysplasia, and, compared to the azoxymethane, was more efficient in the induction of colorectal cancer. Resumo: A carcinogênese colorretal induzida em roedores tem longa história e utiliza, atualmente, as substâncias 1,2 dimetil-hidrazina (DMH) e azoximetano (AOM). Objetivo: Comparar o efeito indutivo das substâncias AOM e DMH para o câncer colorretal (CCR). Método: 30 ratos Wistar machos foram randomizados em quatro grupos. O grupo G1 foi inoculado com DMH, o grupo C1 foi seu controle; G2 recebeu o AOM e C2 foi seu controle. Os animais foram pesados semanalmente até a eutanásia, quando tiveram seus intestinos retirados, processados e analisados por um patologista experiente. Resultados: Os animais dos grupos de controle apresentaram tecido colorretal normal e os animais do grupo G2 apresentaram um padrão de displasia moderada. Nas lâminas do grupo G1, foram encontradas regiões de hiperplasia, displasia leve, displasia grave, e carcinoma. Comparado o custo das substâncias AOM e DMH, este último teve um preço mais de 50 vezes menor ao do AOM. Conclusão: AOM é capaz de promover alterações histológicas compatíveis com a carcinogênese colorretal. DMH produziu neoplasia e displasia grave e, comparada ao AOM, foi mais eficiente na indução do câncer colorretal. Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Experimental model, Carcinogenesis, Azoxymethane, 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine, Palavras-chave: Câncer colorretal, Modelo experimental, Carcinogênese, Azoximetano, 1,2-Dimetil-hidrazina