Detection of the cancer-prone colon, using transepithelial impedance analysis
R. J. Davies, R. Joseph, H. Asbun and M. Sedwitz
Department of Surgery, University of California Medical Center, San Diego 92103.
Alterations in ionic conductance may represent an early mitogenic signal;
therefore, impedance analysis was used to examine differences in the
electrical properties of the distal colon in a cancer-susceptible (CF1) and
a cancer-resistant (DBA) strain of mouse following administration of the
carcinogen dimethylhydrazine. The electrical conductance of the surface
colonic epithelium increased in CF1 mice from a mean (+/- SEM) of 41.1 +/-
3.0 milliSiemens.cm-2 (mS.cm-2) in controls to 52.6 +/- 3.1 mS.cm-2
following dimethylhydrazine treatment. The conductance decreased in the
cancer-resistant DBA group from 154.6 +/- 44.1 mS.cm-2 in controls to 35.1
+/- 17.2 mS.cm-2 following dimethylhydrazine treatment. This difference in
response to the carcinogen may partly explain differences in susceptibility
noted between these two species. Epithelial impedance analysis may be of
use in the early detection of the colon at risk for subsequent cancer
development.
