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Inhibitory Effects of Glucosylceramide on Tumorigenesis Induced by a Carcinogen in Mice
Author(s) -
Fujiwara Kazunori,
Yazama Hiroaki,
Donishi Ryouhei,
Koyama Satoshi,
Fukuhara Takahiro,
Takeuchi Hiromi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.28449
Subject(s) - pharynx , cancer , carcinogen , medicine , carcinoma , esophagus , carcinogenesis , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , biology , cancer research , gastroenterology , pathology , endocrinology , head and neck cancer , biochemistry , anatomy
Objective Glucosylceramide (Glu‐Cer), a glycosylated form of ceramide, has been reported to have cytotoxic effects in the cells of various cancers. We previously reported that dietary Glu‐Cer from rice bran had inhibitory effects on human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in nonobese diabetes (NOD)/severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. In HNSCC, preventing recurrence and second primary cancer is required to improve prognosis. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether dietary Glu‐Cer had anticarcinogenic and antitumorigenic effects in a mouse model of HNSCC. Methods A total of 40 CB6F1‐Tg rasH2@Jcl mice were divided into two groups: control and Glu‐Cer. All mice were given 4‐nitroquinoline 1‐oxide for 24 weeks. Control group mice were fed the normal diet without Glu‐Cer. The Glu‐Cer group mice were given a mixture of the normal diet plus 0.25% Glu‐Cer for 24 weeks. Microscopic examination was performed to identify grossly visible preneoplasms and neoplasms in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus. Epithelial regions were classified as normal tissue, carcinoma in situ (CIS), or SCC; and the number of each type of region was counted. Results Compared with the Glu‐Cer group mice, control group mice more frequently developed individual and multiple tumors of each type, including CIS and SCC, in the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus. Conclusion Tumor development was effectively inhibited by dietary Glu‐Cer derived from rice bran, indicating that this and related compounds show promise as prophylactic agents for human HNSCC. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope , 130:E593–E597, 2020