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2221086 
Journal Article 
Effects of stress on DMBA-induced tumor growth, plasma corticosterone and brain biogenic amines in rats 
Bhattacharyya, AK; Pradhan, SN 
1979 
1 
Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology
ISSN: 0034-5164 
23 
1 
107-116 
English 
108779 
The growth and development of 7, 12-dimethylbenz (α) anthracene (DMBA)-induced tumors were studied in Sprague-Dawley female littermate rats and the effects of various types of stress (overcrowding-sound and immobilization) on such tumor were correlated with change in plasma corticosterone and biogenic amine (norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin) levels in several brain areas. These stresses significantly inhibited the growth and development of the tumors in the overcrowding-sound and immobilization groups. The plasma corticosterone levels decreased progressively after DMBA feeding in all the groups; however, compared to the controls, the overcrowding-sound and immobilization groups showed significantly higher plasma corticosterone levels after six weeks of exposure to respective stress. There were also significant decreases of norepinephrine levels in the diencephalon-midbrain in the overcrowding-sound and immobilization groups compared to the controls. The inhibition of the tumor growth may be correlated to the changes in the plasma corticosterone and the brain amine levels as markers of stress.