Objective To investigate promotive activity of microcystins(MC)during experimental hepatocar cinogenesis in rats, and explore its potential mechanism.
Methods Two-stage hepatocarcino genesis model of rats(Solt-Farber Model) was established with DEN and MC applied as initiator and promoter, respectively.The histophatho logical changes in liver were observed under light microscope, and the expressions of protein and mRNA of GSTPi were detected by means of immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, ISH, respectively.
Results Hyperplastic and precancerous foci and nodule were induced in liver of rats treated with DEN and MC.Compared to DEN, MCs alone can't induce the expression of GSTPi mRNA and protein, but possess the ability of up-regulating the expression of GSTPi mRNA and protein induced by DEN, and the dose-response relationship was obvious.
Conclusion MCs had potential promotive activity during experimental hepatocarcinogenesis of rat, which indicated it had tumor promotion.