title: Sequential Changes in Aberrant Crypt Foci and Lectin Expression in the Early and Late Stages of DMH-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the malignant potential of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by measuring the multiplicity of crypts and lectin expression in the early and late stages of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six-week-old Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with DMH for 27 weeks. We classified ACF according to the number of crypts per ACF as a few crypts (≤3 crypts, FC ACF) or numerous crypts (≥4 crypts, NC ACF). Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate lectin expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the early stage, FC ACF (590/1,902, 31.0%) occurred more frequently than NC ACF (35/449, 7.8%); whereas in the late stage, NC ACF (176/449, 39.2%) occurred more frequently than FC ACF (324/1,902, 17.0%). The number of ACF peaked at 15 to 20 weeks. The ratio of NC/FC ACF increased gradually during carcinogenesis. The expression of both UEA1 and PNA was higher in NC ACF than FC ACF. Lectin expression increased in the late stage compared with the early stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of lectin was higher in NC ACF and ACF in the late stage. Therefore, ACF with higher multiplicities in the late stage may have more malignant potential in DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Uijeongbu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Lee So
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Maeng
authors.forename: Hiun Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Hyung Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Suk
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jin-Hyoung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hong Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Mi-Ryeong
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ryu