In vitro data from our laboratory demonstrate that vitamin B6 (B6) supplementation of estrogen receptor - positive and - negative breast cancer cells is growth inhibitory. Others have reported that dietary B6 supplementation resulted in increased fibrosarcoma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) concentrations and a significant inverse relationship between tumor PLP concentration and tumor volume in mice. This suggests that, in contrast to data reported for normal cells, tumor cells are capable of accumulating supplemental B6. In the current study, we investigated the effects of dietary B6 supplementation on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in rats. Specifically, we aimed to identify the effect of pyridoxine (PN) supplementation on tumor growth and vitamin uptake by tumor cells. To accomplish this, 50 d old female Sprague Dawley rats were gavaged with 15 mg DMBA and fed a diet containing either 7, 350, or 1050 mg PN-HCl/kg diet, which is the equivalent of 1, 50, or 150x the National Research Council's B6 requirement for rats, respectively. These levels of PN have previously been shown to produce no overt signs of toxicity in rats. Throughout the experiment, the percent of rats with tumors and the average number of tumors per rat remained similar between groups. Mammary tumor growth rates were significantly increased in response to dietary B6 supplementation (P < 0.05). Liver PLP and pyridoxal (PL) concentrations did not differ between dietary treatment groups. Plasma PL and PLP concentrations were significantly higher in the group fed the 150x diet compared with the 1x diet (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). Mammary tissue PL concentrations of the 150x group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the 1x group, but no differences were observed in mammary PLP concentrations. Similarly to mammary tissue, no differences between groups were observed in tumor PLP concentration. However, tumor PL concentrations in both the 50x and 150x dietary treatment groups were significantly higher than those from the rats fed the 1x diet (P < 0.002). These data demonstrate that previously reported inhibitory effects of supplemental B6 on breast cancer growth in vitro do not occur in response to dietary supplementation at 50 or 150 times the B6 requirement in vivo. In fact, dietary B6 at 150x the requirement may actually promote mammary tumor growth. In light of these results, investigation of the effects of supplemental B6 on cancer growth in humans is warranted. Supported by American Cancer Society Grant # IRG-99-225-01. / Master of Science

O câncer de mama permanece como o segundo tipo de câncer mais freqüente no mundo e o primeiro entre as mulheres (INCA, 2007). Porém, os mecanismos envolvidos no processo de gênese dos tumores mamários mesmo sendo intensamente estudados nos últimos 30 anos, ainda não são bem definidos. Vários estudos apontam que a susceptibilidade em função da genética é uma causa relevante ao surgimento do tumor, porém não a principal. Outros fatores tais quais o ambiente e dieta tendem a ser mais significantes nesse processo. Para a indução dos tumores em animais, a maioria dos modelos utiliza carcinógenos pertencentes à família dos hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos, dentre eles o DMBA (7,12-dimetil bezantraceno). O DMBA foi utilizado neste estudo com o objetivo de induzir tumor mamário, estabelecendo-se assim um modelo para estudos futuros, quantificando e classificando as lesões nas diferentes concentrações do carcinógeno, avaliando também a proliferação celular através do método de imunohistoquímica PCNA nos diferentes tumores encontrados. Neste estudo, em todos os grupos houve o desenvolvimento de tumores mamários, sendo estes mais freqüentes nos grupos de 3, 6 e 9 mg. O tipo de tumor mais freqüente foi o Adenocarcinoma A, seguido de Adenoacantoma e Adenocarcinoma Misto em menor freqüência. Sendo assim, concluiu-se através deste trabalho que o DMBA produz um modelo de carcinogênese mamária em camundongos. / The breast cancer remains the second most common cancer type in the world and first among women (INCA, 2008). However, the mechanisms involved in the origin even being intensively studied in the past 30 years, are still not well defined. Several studies suggest that genetic susceptibility is a relevant issue to the tumor development, however others factors can favor tumor growing. Among such factors the environment and diet are considered more significant. For mice tumor induction, most significant carcinogens used belonging to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons family, where DMBA (7,12-dimethyl bezantraceno) take place. The DMBA was used in this study in order to induce mammary tumors, establishing the real conditions for future studies in our mice colony, classifying and quantifying the lesions. Cell proliferation was also evaluated though the immunohistochemistry against PCNA in different tumors classified. In this study, all concentration resulted in breast tumor development, which was more frequently observed in groups of 3, 6 and 9 mg. The most common type tumor regarded was Adenocarcinoma A, followed by Adenoacantoma and Mixed A/B in lower frequency. In conclusion, DMBA was able to produces a model of mammary carcinogenesis in mice.

O câncer de mama permanece como o segundo tipo de câncer mais freqüente no mundo e o primeiro entre as mulheres (INCA, 2007). Porém, os mecanismos envolvidos no processo de gênese dos tumores mamários mesmo sendo intensamente estudados nos últimos 30 anos, ainda não são bem definidos. Vários estudos apontam que a susceptibilidade em função da genética é uma causa relevante ao surgimento do tumor, porém não a principal. Outros fatores tais quais o ambiente e dieta tendem a ser mais significantes nesse processo. Para a indução dos tumores em animais, a maioria dos modelos utiliza carcinógenos pertencentes à família dos hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos, dentre eles o DMBA (7,12-dimetil bezantraceno). O DMBA foi utilizado neste estudo com o objetivo de induzir tumor mamário, estabelecendo-se assim um modelo para estudos futuros, quantificando e classificando as lesões nas diferentes concentrações do carcinógeno, avaliando também a proliferação celular através do método de imunohistoquímica PCNA nos diferentes tumores encontrados. Neste estudo, em todos os grupos houve o desenvolvimento de tumores mamários, sendo estes mais freqüentes nos grupos de 3, 6 e 9 mg. O tipo de tumor mais freqüente foi o Adenocarcinoma A, seguido de Adenoacantoma e Adenocarcinoma Misto em menor freqüência. Sendo assim, concluiu-se através deste trabalho que o DMBA produz um modelo de carcinogênese mamária em camundongos. / The breast cancer remains the second most common cancer type in the world and first among women (INCA, 2008). However, the mechanisms involved in the origin even being intensively studied in the past 30 years, are still not well defined. Several studies suggest that genetic susceptibility is a relevant issue to the tumor development, however others factors can favor tumor growing. Among such factors the environment and diet are considered more significant. For mice tumor induction, most significant carcinogens used belonging to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons family, where DMBA (7,12-dimethyl bezantraceno) take place. The DMBA was used in this study in order to induce mammary tumors, establishing the real conditions for future studies in our mice colony, classifying and quantifying the lesions. Cell proliferation was also evaluated though the immunohistochemistry against PCNA in different tumors classified. In this study, all concentration resulted in breast tumor development, which was more frequently observed in groups of 3, 6 and 9 mg. The most common type tumor regarded was Adenocarcinoma A, followed by Adenoacantoma and Mixed A/B in lower frequency. In conclusion, DMBA was able to produces a model of mammary carcinogenesis in mice.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:06:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 grassi_tf_dr_botfm.pdf: 2406422 bytes, checksum: 14575fe8c9692ee11119e80270b7322f (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Not available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / Post-natal mammary gland development is a complex process in which epithelial proliferation and branching of lactiferous ducts is followed by extensive formation of lobuloalveolar units that produce milk. Classical nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65/p50 transcription factors are dynamically induced in the mammary gland during pregnancy, and inhibitor of NF-κB-alpha (IκB-α) deficiency leads to hyperplasia of the mammary epithelium. To further elucidate the role of NF-κB factors in mammary development, we examined NF-κB subunit expression in the mammary glands of transgenic mice expressing the IκB-α S32/36A super-repressor (SR) protein under control of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-long terminal repeat promoter, in which mammary gland development is transiently delayed, but not completely blocked. Developmental recovery correlated with induction of RelB/p52 NF-κB complexes, which failed to interact with an IκB-α fusion protein and potently induced cyclin D1 and c-myc promoter activities. Activation of IκB-α kinase alpha (IKKα) and NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) was detected by day 5.5, and were hypothesized to be responsible for the induction of ReIB/p52. In support of this hypothesis, we found that constitutively active IKKα induced p52, RelB, and cyclin D1 in untransformed mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, mammary tumors induced by high-dose 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) treatment in wild type FVB/N mice, displayed increased RelB/p52 binding activity. These results implicate activation of RelB/p52 complexes by the alternative NF-κB signaling pathway in branching of lateral ducts and alveolar development during mammary gland development, and in mammary carcinogenesis. / 2031-01-01

Avaliou-se a eventual atividade quimiopreventiva por parte da vitamina A (VA) quando administrada a ratas Sprague-Dawley durante a etapa de pós-iniciação da carcinogênese mamária induzida pelo 7-12 dimetilbenz(a)antraceno (DMBA). Com exceção de 10 animais que constituíram um grupo controle à parte de ratas consideradas normais [grupo normal (N)], e que não foram submetidas a qualquer procedimento experimental durante todo o estudo, 40 ratas com 50 dias de idade receberam o agente carcinogênico DMBA, por meio de entubação gástrica na dose de 60 mg/kg/peso corpóreo. Após 2 semanas, as ratas iniciadas receberam durante 12 semanas consecutivas, por entubação gástrica, 0,25 mL/100 g de peso corpóreo de óleo de milho (grupo OM; controle, n=20) e 2,5 mg/100 g de peso corpóreo de vitamina A (grupo VA, n=20), sendo, então, eutanasiadas. Não houve diferenças (p>0,05) entre os grupos OM e VA quanto à latência de aparecimento da primeira neoplasia mamária, incidência, multiplicidade e peso médio das neoplasias mamárias, todas classificadas como malignas. Em comparação ao grupo OM, o grupo VA apresentou maior concentração (p<0,05) de retinol no tecido mamário neoplásico e hepático, além de maiores concentrações hepáticas (p<0,05) de palmitato de retinila. Não se detectou palmitato de retinila em neoplasias mamárias de ambos os grupos. Não houve diferença (p>0,05) entre neoplasias mamárias do grupo OM e o tecido mamário do grupo N quanto à metilação global do DNA. Em comparação a neoplasias mamárias do grupo OM, neoplasias do grupo VA apresentaram menor (p<0,05) metilação global do DNA. Conclui-se que a VA não apresentou atividades quimiopreventivas e seu metabolismo encontra-se alterado em neoplasias mamárias. / The potential chemopreventive activity of vitamin A (VA) was evaluated when administered to Sprague-Dawley rats during the stage of post-initiation of mammary carcinogenesis induced by 7-12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Except for 10 animals that constituted a separate control group of normal rats [normal group (N)], that were not subjected to any experimental procedure throughout the study, 40 rats with 50 days of age received the carcinogen DMBA by gavage at the dose of 60 mg/kg/body weight. After 2 weeks, the rats received for 12 consecutive weeks, by gavage, 0.25 mL/100 g body weight of corn oil (OM group, control, n = 20) or 2.5 mg/100 g body weight of vitamin A (VA group, n = 20), being then euthanized. There were no differences (p> 0.05) between the OM and VA groups regarding the latency of onset of first breast neoplasm, incidence, multiplicity and average weight of breast tumors, all classified as malignant. Compared to the OM group, the VA group had a higher concentration (p <0.05) of retinol in neoplastic breast tissue and liver as well as higher concentrations (p <0.05) of retinyl palmitate in the liver. Retinyl palmitate was not detected in breast tumors of both groups. There was no difference (p> 0.05) between breast tumours of OM group and mammary tissue of N group regarding global DNA methylation. Compared to breast tumors of OM group, breast tumors of VA group had lower (p <0.05) global DNA methylation. VA did not show chemopreventive activity when administered to rats during the stage of post-initiation of mammary carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the metabolism of VA is altered in breast tumors.

Resumo: Não disponível. / Abstract: Not available. / Orientador: Luís Fernando Barbisan / Coorientador: João Lauro Viana de Camargo / Banca: Antonio Carlos Alessi / Banca: Ione Pellegatti Lemonica / Banca: Danielle Palma de Oliveira / Banca: Helenice de Souza Spinosa / Doutor

Submitted by FLÁVIA REGINA MORAES DA SILVA null (flavisbio@hotmail.com) on 2016-03-11T17:40:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Doutorado em Patologia (Flávia Regina Moraes da Silva) Versão Final.pdf: 2724811 bytes, checksum: a8ca539bbeff30c4bfa3fa6c2f9dfeba (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-03-14T17:46:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_fm_dr_bot.pdf: 2724811 bytes, checksum: a8ca539bbeff30c4bfa3fa6c2f9dfeba (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-14T17:46:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_fm_dr_bot.pdf: 2724811 bytes, checksum: a8ca539bbeff30c4bfa3fa6c2f9dfeba (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar se a ingestão de dietas com deficiência ou suplementação de zinco, durante as fases de gestação, lactação e juvenil, interfere no desenvolvimento das glândulas mamárias e na susceptibilidade ao desenvolvimento de carcinogênese mamária induzida pela 7,12-dimetilbenz(a)antraceno (DMBA) em ratas da linhagem Sprague-Dawley (SD). Duas gerações, mães e prole de fêmeas receberam dietas com níveis adequados (35mg/Kg dieta), deficientes (3mg/Kg dieta) ou com suplementação (180mg/Kg dieta) de zinco durante a gestação e lactação. Após o desmame, as proles de fêmeas receberam as mesmas dietas das mães até o dia pós-natal (DPN) 51 ou 53. No DPN 51 fêmeas SD foram eutanasiadas para remoção das glândulas mamárias abdominais (D e E) ou receberam dose única de DMBA (50mg/kg; i.g.) para iniciação da carcinogênese e eutanasiadas no DPN 53 ou DPN 180. No dia DPN 53 as glândulas foram processadas para análises histológicas e imunoistoquímicas, e avaliação da expressão de genes relacionados a dano e reparo de DNA, apoptose, ciclo celular e sinalização de genes relacionados ao receptor de estrógeno e p53, por RT-qPCR com sistema Taqman Low density array (TLDA). Os tumores coletados ao longo do experimento e no DPN 180 foram processados para avaliação histológica. As fêmeas alimentadas com dieta deficiente de zinco apresentaram redução significativa no peso corpóreo nos DPNs 0, 10, 21 e 51. O número médio de brotos terminais (TEBs), ductos terminais (TEDs) e lóbulos alveolares (ABLs) mamários não diferiram entre as proles dos três grupos experimentais. No DPN 53, os índices de proliferação nas células epiteliais mamárias foram significativamente maiores no grupo que recebeu suplementação de zinco em relação ao grupo controle, enquanto os índices de células epiteliais em apoptose e RE-α positivas não diferiram entre os grupos. Além disso, a suplementação de zinco reduziu significativamente a expressão dos genes Api5 e Ercc1, que atuam como inibidor de apoptose e reparo de DNA, respectivamente. No DPN 180, tanto a deficiência quanto a suplementação de zinco na dieta não alteraram a latência, incidência, multiplicidade ou volume dos tumores mamários induzidos pela DMBA em relação ao grupo controle. No entanto, a suplementação de zinco aumentou o número total de tumores em 72% quando comparado aos demais grupos. Portanto a suplementação de zinco durante as fases iniciais da vida e perído juvenil aumentou marginalmente a suscetibilidade ao desenvolvimento de tumores mamários. / The present study was designed to evaluate whether dietary intake with zinc deficiency or supplementation during the pregnancy, lactation and juvenile stages interfere the development of mammary glands and susceptibility to the mammary carcinogenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in female rats Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Two generations, dams and female offspring received dietary with zinc levels adequate (35 mg/kg diet), deficiency (3 mg/kg diet) or supplementation (180 mg/kg diet) during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, the females offspring received the same diets as their dams until post natal day (PND) 51 or 53. On PND 51, females SD were euthanized for removal of the mammary glands (right and left) or received a single dose of DMBA (50mg/kg, ig) for initiation of mammary carcinogenesis and euthanized on PND 53 or PND 180. On PND 53, mammary glands were processed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses, as well as evaluation of the expression of genes related to DNA damage and repair, apoptosis, cell cycle and signaling related to estrogen receptor and p53 by RT-qPCR with Taqman Low density array system (TLDA). Tumors collected throughout experiment or on PND 180 were processed for histological evaluation. The females fed with dietary zinc deficiency presented a significant reduction in body weight on PND 0, 10, 21 e 51. The mean number of the terminal buds (TEBs), terminal ducts (TEDs) and alveolar lobe (ABLs) in mammary gland did not differ among offspring of the three groups. On PND 53 the indexes of proliferation in the mammary glands epithelial cells were significantly higher in the zinc supplementation group in relation to the control group, while the indexes of apoptosis epithelial cell and positive ER-α did not differ among the groups. Also, dietary zinc supplementation significantly reduced the expression of the Api5 and Ercc1 genes related to apoptosis inhibitor and DNA repair, respectively. On PND 180 both dietary zinc deficiency as supplementation did not change the, latency, incidence, multiplicity or volume of DMBA-induced mammary tumors in relation to the control group. However, dietary zinc supplementation increased the total number of tumors in 72% compared to others groups. Therefore zinc supplementation during the early life and juvenile period marginally increased the susceptibility to the mammary tumors development.

Orientador: Luis Fernando Barbisan / Resumo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar se a ingestão de dietas com deficiência ou suplementação de zinco, durante as fases de gestação, lactação e juvenil, interfere no desenvolvimento das glândulas mamárias e na susceptibilidade ao desenvolvimento de carcinogênese mamária induzida pela 7,12-dimetilbenz(a)antraceno (DMBA) em ratas da linhagem Sprague-Dawley (SD). Duas gerações, mães e prole de fêmeas receberam dietas com níveis adequados (35mg/Kg dieta), deficientes (3mg/Kg dieta) ou com suplementação (180mg/Kg dieta) de zinco durante a gestação e lactação. Após o desmame, as proles de fêmeas receberam as mesmas dietas das mães até o dia pós-natal (DPN) 51 ou 53. No DPN 51 fêmeas SD foram eutanasiadas para remoção das glândulas mamárias abdominais (D e E) ou receberam dose única de DMBA (50mg/kg; i.g.) para iniciação da carcinogênese e eutanasiadas no DPN 53 ou DPN 180. No dia DPN 53 as glândulas foram processadas para análises histológicas e imunoistoquímicas, e avaliação da expressão de genes relacionados a dano e reparo de DNA, apoptose, ciclo celular e sinalização de genes relacionados ao receptor de estrógeno e p53, por RT-qPCR com sistema Taqman Low density array (TLDA). Os tumores coletados ao longo do experimento e no DPN 180 foram processados para avaliação histológica. As fêmeas alimentadas com dieta deficiente de zinco apresentaram redução significativa no peso corpóreo nos DPNs 0, 10, 21 e 51. O número médio de brotos terminais (TEBs), ductos terminais (TEDs... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present study was designed to evaluate whether dietary intake with zinc deficiency or supplementation during the pregnancy, lactation and juvenile stages interfere the development of mammary glands and susceptibility to the mammary carcinogenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in female rats Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Two generations, dams and female offspring received dietary with zinc levels adequate (35 mg/kg diet), deficiency (3 mg/kg diet) or supplementation (180 mg/kg diet) during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, the females offspring received the same diets as their dams until post natal day (PND) 51 or 53. On PND 51, females SD were euthanized for removal of the mammary glands (right and left) or received a single dose of DMBA (50mg/kg, ig) for initiation of mammary carcinogenesis and euthanized on PND 53 or PND 180. On PND 53, mammary glands were processed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses, as well as evaluation of the expression of genes related to DNA damage and repair, apoptosis, cell cycle and signaling related to estrogen receptor and p53 by RT-qPCR with Taqman Low density array system (TLDA). Tumors collected throughout experiment or on PND 180 were processed for histological evaluation. The females fed with dietary zinc deficiency presented a significant reduction in body weight on PND 0, 10, 21 e 51. The mean number of the terminal buds (TEBs), terminal ducts (TEDs) and alveolar lobe (ABLs) in mammary gland did not di... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Avaliou-se a eventual atividade quimiopreventiva por parte da vitamina A (VA) quando administrada a ratas Sprague-Dawley durante a etapa de pós-iniciação da carcinogênese mamária induzida pelo 7-12 dimetilbenz(a)antraceno (DMBA). Com exceção de 10 animais que constituíram um grupo controle à parte de ratas consideradas normais [grupo normal (N)], e que não foram submetidas a qualquer procedimento experimental durante todo o estudo, 40 ratas com 50 dias de idade receberam o agente carcinogênico DMBA, por meio de entubação gástrica na dose de 60 mg/kg/peso corpóreo. Após 2 semanas, as ratas iniciadas receberam durante 12 semanas consecutivas, por entubação gástrica, 0,25 mL/100 g de peso corpóreo de óleo de milho (grupo OM; controle, n=20) e 2,5 mg/100 g de peso corpóreo de vitamina A (grupo VA, n=20), sendo, então, eutanasiadas. Não houve diferenças (p>0,05) entre os grupos OM e VA quanto à latência de aparecimento da primeira neoplasia mamária, incidência, multiplicidade e peso médio das neoplasias mamárias, todas classificadas como malignas. Em comparação ao grupo OM, o grupo VA apresentou maior concentração (p<0,05) de retinol no tecido mamário neoplásico e hepático, além de maiores concentrações hepáticas (p<0,05) de palmitato de retinila. Não se detectou palmitato de retinila em neoplasias mamárias de ambos os grupos. Não houve diferença (p>0,05) entre neoplasias mamárias do grupo OM e o tecido mamário do grupo N quanto à metilação global do DNA. Em comparação a neoplasias mamárias do grupo OM, neoplasias do grupo VA apresentaram menor (p<0,05) metilação global do DNA. Conclui-se que a VA não apresentou atividades quimiopreventivas e seu metabolismo encontra-se alterado em neoplasias mamárias. / The potential chemopreventive activity of vitamin A (VA) was evaluated when administered to Sprague-Dawley rats during the stage of post-initiation of mammary carcinogenesis induced by 7-12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Except for 10 animals that constituted a separate control group of normal rats [normal group (N)], that were not subjected to any experimental procedure throughout the study, 40 rats with 50 days of age received the carcinogen DMBA by gavage at the dose of 60 mg/kg/body weight. After 2 weeks, the rats received for 12 consecutive weeks, by gavage, 0.25 mL/100 g body weight of corn oil (OM group, control, n = 20) or 2.5 mg/100 g body weight of vitamin A (VA group, n = 20), being then euthanized. There were no differences (p> 0.05) between the OM and VA groups regarding the latency of onset of first breast neoplasm, incidence, multiplicity and average weight of breast tumors, all classified as malignant. Compared to the OM group, the VA group had a higher concentration (p <0.05) of retinol in neoplastic breast tissue and liver as well as higher concentrations (p <0.05) of retinyl palmitate in the liver. Retinyl palmitate was not detected in breast tumors of both groups. There was no difference (p> 0.05) between breast tumours of OM group and mammary tissue of N group regarding global DNA methylation. Compared to breast tumors of OM group, breast tumors of VA group had lower (p <0.05) global DNA methylation. VA did not show chemopreventive activity when administered to rats during the stage of post-initiation of mammary carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the metabolism of VA is altered in breast tumors.