Effect of mirtazapine on MNNG-induced gastric adenocarcinoma in rats
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Published on: May 12, 2019
Mehmet Bilici1, Kerim Cayir, Salim Basol Tekin
1Ataturk University, Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey. memetbilici@mynet.com
Objective:
In this study, anticancer effects of mirtazapine on rats were investigated in an adenocarcinoma model induced by N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and compared with those of cisplatin.
Materials And Methods:
For this purpose, 10 mg/kg doses of mirtazapine were administered orally to one group of rats, while 1 mg/kg doses of cisplatin were administered intraperitoneally to another group. At 1 hour after administration, 200 mg/kg doses of MNNG were given orally to both groups. MNNG administration was repeated once every 10 days through 3 months, after which period, gastric tissue was taken and pathologically evaluated.
Results:
Mirtazapine prevented adenocarcinoma induction by MNNG in rats to a greater extent than cisplatin. Some of the rats receiving cisplatin demonstrated severe dysplasia in gastric samples and others exhibited mild dysplasia. Rats given mirtazapine were not observed to suffer severe dysplasia, only mild dysplasia being observed.
Conclusion:
For adenocarcinoma induced by MNNG on rats, mirtazapine was determined more effective than cisplatin. In order to make statement about mechanism of anticancer activity of mirtazapine, wider studies are required.
Insights
Mirtazapine demonstrated superior anticancer effects against N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced adenocarcinoma in rats compared to cisplatin, showing reduced gastric dysplasia.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastric adenocarcinoma is a significant health concern.
- N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is a known inducer of gastric cancer in animal models.
- Cisplatin is a standard chemotherapeutic agent with known toxicities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticancer potential of mirtazapine in a rat model of gastric adenocarcinoma.
- To compare the efficacy of mirtazapine with cisplatin in preventing MNNG-induced gastric cancer.
- To evaluate the pathological changes in gastric tissue following treatment.
Main Methods:
- Rats were divided into groups receiving mirtazapine or cisplatin.
- Gastric adenocarcinoma was induced using N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG).
- Gastric tissues were pathologically evaluated after 3 months of MNNG administration and treatment.
Main Results:
- Mirtazapine significantly inhibited MNNG-induced adenocarcinoma formation.
- Mirtazapine treatment resulted in less severe gastric dysplasia compared to cisplatin.
- Cisplatin treatment was associated with severe dysplasia in some rats.
Conclusions:
- Mirtazapine exhibits greater efficacy than cisplatin in this rat model of gastric adenocarcinoma.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of mirtazapine's anticancer activity.
- Mirtazapine shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.
