Nuclear morphometry in experimental oral mucosal carcinogenesis.
The area, perimeter and diameter of basal cell nuclei of rat palatal epithelium were measured and the deviation of the basal cell nuclear profile from the form of a sphere was assessed after the application of the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO). After a 24-week treatment-free period, designed to eliminate the irritant effect of the carcinogen, the rats were killed, the palatal mucosa was recovered and processed and the nuclear histometry was assessed with image analysis techniques. The basal cell nuclear area increased as the epithelium became dysplastic and then decreased as carcinoma developed, but there were significant variations in this parameter in the control groups. Basal cell nuclei from moderately or severely dysplastic epithelium, and from epithelium adjacent to areas of invasive carcinoma, were significantly less regular in profile by comparison with control nuclei. Variations in nuclear profile, but not nuclear area, perimeter or diameter, might reflect fundamental nuclear alterations of significance during the process of carcinogenesis.
Rich
A M
AM
School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Reade
P C
PC
D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D018450:Disease Progression; D007620:Karyometry; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
D002273:Carcinogens; D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide