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N-Nitrosomorpholine-induced oncocytic transformation in rat endocrine organs
Emre Gezer1, Cüneyt Özer2, Turgay Şimşek3
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Darica Farabi Training and Research Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey. gezeremre@gmail.com.
Background:
N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMO) is one of the most common N-nitroso compounds. An oncocytic transformation has been demonstrated in renal tubules of NMO-treated rats. In our study, we aimed to investigate the potential transformation of oncocytic cells in 6 endocrine organs, i.e., thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, pancreas, testis, and bone, of NMO-exposed rats.
Methods:
Thirty male rats were born and raised. Fifteen of them were given a single dose of 320 mg NMO per kg body weight, dissolved in drinking water, by a gavage tube. At the end of 52 weeks, the animals in both series were killed. Right after the killing, 6 different endocrine organs (hypophysis, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal gland, bone [femur], and testicles) of each animal were excised.
Results:
There was no evidence of oncocytic cell development in the control group. In contrast, oncocytes were observed in 8 out of 13 NMO-treated rats: 2 in the adrenal sections, 1 in the thyroid sections, 3 in the pituitary sections, and 2 in the pancreas sections. Thesticle and bone sections were completely normal.
Conclusions:
We showed that NMO induced an oncocytic change in pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands. To date, no identified specific environmental risk factors that lead to an oncocytic transformation in endocrine glands have been reported previously. Given the increasing prevalence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment, personal care products, manufactured goods, and food sources, there is a need to advance our understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying oncocytosis in endocrine organs.
Insights
N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMO) exposure caused oncocytic cell changes in rat endocrine glands, specifically the pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands. This study highlights NMO as a potential environmental risk factor for oncocytosis.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Toxicology
- Pathology
Background:
- N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMO) is a prevalent N-nitroso compound.
- Previous studies indicated NMO induces oncocytic transformation in rat renal tubules.
- The impact of NMO on endocrine organs remained largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMO) to induce oncocytic cell transformation in six endocrine organs.
- To assess the pathological effects of NMO exposure in the thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, pancreas, testis, and bone of rats.
Main Methods:
- Thirty male rats were used, with fifteen receiving a single oral dose of NMO (320 mg/kg).
- After 52 weeks, endocrine organs (pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal gland, femur, testes) were excised for histological examination.
- Control and NMO-exposed groups were compared for oncocytic cell development.
Main Results:
- No oncocytic cell development was observed in the control group.
- Oncocytes were detected in 8 out of 13 NMO-treated rats.
- Affected organs included the adrenal glands (2 rats), thyroid (1 rat), pituitary gland (3 rats), and pancreas (2 rats).
- Testis and bone sections showed no abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMO) demonstrably induces oncocytic changes in the pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands.
- This research identifies a potential environmental risk factor for oncocytosis in endocrine glands.
- Further investigation into the pathological mechanisms of NMO-induced oncocytosis is warranted due to environmental chemical exposure concerns.
