title: Glutathione S-transferase (mu class) as an early marker of azaserine-induced foci in the rat pancreas.
abstract: The alpha, mu and pi classes of glutathione S-transferase (GST) were evaluated as early immunocytochemical markers for the development of atypical foci within the pancreases of azaserine treated rats. Changes detected with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) were compared with those detected by immunocytochemistry using antibodies raised against each class of GST. All foci detected with H&E staining were classified as acidophilic atypical acinar cell nodules (AACN), which have previously been reported in this model. All of these AACN overexpressed GST mu. However, 64% of foci detected with GST mu staining had not been identified as AACN during a prior examination with H&E. Re-evaluation of the H&E sections revealed that some of these foci showed subtle morphological changes which are indicative of AACN. In many cases, however, no morphological difference could be seen with H&E staining. We conclude that immunocytochemical staining for GST mu is a more reliable and sensitive method than H&E for detecting the early stages of azaserine-induced foci. Furthermore, we suggest that studies on the incidence and growth of these foci can be shortened considerably if GST mu staining is used in conjunction with H&E.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Tee
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Oates
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Yeoh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001377:Azaserine / Q000633:toxicity*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis*; D006416:Hematoxylin; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000201:enzymology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D001377:Azaserine; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin