INHIBITORY EFFECT OF 5-HYDROXY-4-(2-PHENYL-(E)-ETHENYL)-2(5H)-FURANONE, A NOVEL SYNTHESIZED RETINOID, ON AZOXYMETHANE-INDUCED INTESTINAL CARCINOGENESIS IN RATS

Modifying effects of 5-hydroxy-4-(2-phenyl-(E)ethenyl)-2(5H)-furanone, a novel synthesized retinoid (KYN-54), on intestinal carcinogenesis were examined in a rat model using azoxymethane (AOM). A total of ninety male F344 rats, 6 weeks old, were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (20 rats) was fed a diet containing KYN-54 at a concentration of 0.02% for 3 weeks, during which time 2 s.c. injections of azoxymethane (15 mg/kg) were applied and then kept on a basal diet until the end of the experiment (1 year). Group 2 (30 rats) was given azoxymethane as in group 1 and fed the basal diet throughout, without synthetic retinoid exposure. Group 3 (20 rats) was administered KYN-54 at the commencement of the experiment, but not given the carcinogen. Group 4 (20 rats) received a basal diet alone throughout the experiment and served as a control. Intestinal tumors were seen in groups 1 and 2, their incidence and average number in group 1 (74%, 1.07 +/- 0.87) being significantly less than in group 2 (39%, 0.56 +/- 0.78) (P < 0.02 and P < 0.05, respectively). These results suggest that the synthetic retinoid might be a promising chemopreventive agent for intestinal neoplasia.