Anti-tumor effect of memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, against DMH-induced colon cancer in rats

Abstract

Glutamate levels are significantly higher in colon cancer cells than in normal cells. Increased expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been observed in tumor cell lines that cause angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes proliferation and endothelial migration through the calcium influx. As a result, NMDA receptors may be a therapeutic target of cancer, and inhibition of these receptors may reduce tumor growth. In this study, the effects of memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, on histology, tumor size, and number, as well as VEGF level in 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon cancer in rats were investigated. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: the control group, the colon cancer group (30 mg/kg of DMH solution was injected subcutaneously twice a week for 24 weeks), and the memantine group (20 mg/kg). The results showed that the injection of DMH induced colon polyps (P