title: Effect of DAPT, a gamma secretase inhibitor, on tumor angiogenesis in control mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Notch signaling is a key factor for angiogenesis in physiological and pathological condition and γ-secretase is the regulator of Notch signaling. The main goal of this study was to assess the effect of (N-[N-(3,5-Diflurophenaacetyl-L-alanyl)]-S-phenylglycine t-Butyl Ester) DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor, on serum angiogenic biomarkers, and tumor angiogenesis in control mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tumor was induced by inoculation of colon adenocarcinoma cells (CT26) in 12 male Balb/C mice. When tumors size is reached to a 350 ± 50 mm(3), the animals were randomly divided into two groups: control and DAPT (n = 6/group). DAPT was injected subcutaneously 10 mg/kg/day. After 14 days, blood samples were taken and the tumors were harvested for immunohistochemical staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of DAPT significantly increased serum nitric oxide concentration and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor receptors-1 (VEGFR1) concentration without changes on serum VEGF concentration. DAPT reduced tumor vascular density in control mice (280.6 ± 81 vs. 386 ± 59.9 CD31 positive cells/mm(2)), although, it was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that γ-secretase inhibitors can be considered for treatment of disorders with abnormal angiogenesis such as tumor angiogenesis.
authors: Department of Physiology, Students Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Elmira
authors: E
authors: Kalantari
authors: Department of Physiology, Students Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Hajar
authors: H
authors: Saeidi
authors: Department of Physiology, Students Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Niloofar Shabani
authors: NS
authors: Kia
authors: Department of Physiology, Students Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Zoya
authors: Z
authors: Tahergorabi
authors: Department of Anatomy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Bahman
authors: B
authors: Rashidi
authors: Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Nasim
authors: N
authors: Dana
authors: Department of Physiology, Students Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Khazaei
keywords: Angiogenesis; obesity; tumor; γ-secretase