Altered uterine sensitivity to oxytocin and prostaglandin F(2α), in dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary carcinoma: The effects of tamoxifen and/or recombinant human interferon α2b therapy

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1996

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the long-term toxicity of a preventive regimen of tamoxifen (TAM) and recombinant human interferon alpha 2b (rHuIFN α2b) on the uterine responsiveness of tumour-bearing rats. The experimental tumour was induced by dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in virgin female albino rats and the therapy was started two months after carcinogen administration. The acute effect of DMBA on the uterine sensitivity was also assessed 24 h post-carcinogen, The uterotonic potentials of oxytocin and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) were markedly reduced in the control tumour-bearing group as compared to the normal one. Similarly, acute DMBA administration showed reduced uterine sensitivity to both agents. Treatment with either TAM or combined TAM/rHuIFN α2b did not affect the uterine response to either oxytocin or PGF2α, while rHuIFN α2b increased the uterine sensitivity to oxytocin but not to PGF2α. These data indicate that the carcinogenic agent per se and the presence of tumour reduce the contractile response in the rat uterus to oxytocic agents. Moreover, combined TAM/rHuIFN α2b does not markedly affect the uterine sensitivity in DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma-bearing rats.

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