Changes on function and morphology of liver in carcinogen-induced hepatoma rats (I. Changes on function of liver)

발암제에 의해 간종양이 유발된 쥐에서 간기능과 형태학적 변화에 관한 연구 (I. 간기능 변화에 관하여)

This study is concerned with assessment of diethylnitrosamine(DEN) induced liver cell carcinogenesis by measurement of changes preceding the development of neoplasms. Therefore, it was undertaken to investigate the changes of liver-specific enzyme activities in rats (Sprague-Dawley) by ad libitum feeding of DEN. And also, as another objective index in urine, the level of urinary biopterin was measured by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method. The results were as follows ; 1. Minor behavioral change, brittleness of hair and decreased amount of water and diet intake were observed in rats 7 weeks after DEN administration. 2. The body and liver weights were significantly(p<0.05) decreased in rats 11 weeks after DEN administration. 3. The ratio of liver weight to body weight was rather stable and not significantly decreased in the all treatment groups. 4. The liver specific enzyme activities(AST, ALT,$\gamma$-GTP) were significantly(p<0.05) increased in all treatment groups compared to control group. 5. Compared to normal level, urine biopterin level was significantly (p<0.05) increased in all treatment groups(p<0.05). In conclusion, this result confirmed that the DEN was one of the potent hepatocarcinogens. In experimental model of rats exposed to DEN, the results indicated that values of liver specific enzyme activities(AST, ALT, $\gamma$-GTP) and urine biopterin level could be useful complementary tumor indices.