Halofuginone may suppresses azoxymethane-induced serum tumor necrosis factor-a synthesis and aberrant crypt foci progression in rat colon

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of halofuginone on the progression of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer in rats. A total of 38 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups: Control (n=8), Halofuginone (n=10, 0.4 mg/kg, PO, SID), Cancer (n=10, azoxymethane, 15 mg/kg, IP, once a week for two weeks) and Cancer + Halofuginone (n=10). After 18 weeks, blood samples were taken under anesthesia and all animals were sacrificed. Aberrant crypt foci in the colon were stained with methylene blue. Blood cytokines, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2a levels, hemogram and biochemical values were measured. The tumor necrosis factor-a level in the Cancer group was higher (P less than 0.05) than in other groups, while higher numbers of aberrant crypt foci were found in the Cancer group compared with the Cancer + Halofuginone group (P less than 0.05). In summary, it may be stated that halofuginone may warrant evaluation as a supportive drug in the treatment of colon cancer in the future.