OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the expression of P53 and Ki-67 during esophageal diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced carcinogenesis in 100 mice by immunohistochemistry. METHODS: The animals were assigned to 4 groups, receiving water and food ad libitum. Control groups I and II received weekly esophageal gavage with cold (room temperature) or hot (60-70ºC) water, respectively. Experimental groups III and IV were treated with DEN for 3 consecutive days during the week, and one weekly gavage as above. The mice were sacrificed in different periods from day 30 to day 150 after the beginning of the experiment, for collection of esophageal samples which were then submitted to microscopic and immunohistochemical analyses. The temperature of the water administered by gavage was not related to the frequency of esophageal tumors. RESULTS:The expression of Ki-67 was significantly higher in high-grade intraepithelial lesion (I.L.), and the expression of P53 was also higher in low-grade I.L. CONCLUSION:The results emphasize the direct relationship of the carcinogenic process with early cell alterations detected by immunohistochemistry.
Tumor markers, biological; Esophagus; Diethylnitrosamine; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Transcription, genetic
