P-selectin is mainly involved in the initial process of tumor cell adhesion to platelets. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression level of P-selectin in a colon tumor model affected by sinusoidal electromagnetic fields (SMF). Male Wistar albino rats aged 2-2.5 months were used. The animals were divided into the I [N-Methyl-N-Nitrosurea (MNU)], II (SMF-MNU), III (SMF) and IV (control) groups. The rats were housed five per polycarbonate cage. Sixty milligrams of MNU was dissolved in 6 ml sterile 0.9% NaCl. Prepared solutions were administered intra rectally (i.r.) to the 1st and 3rd groups as 0.2 ml/per animal. The same procedure was applied to the 2nd and 4th groups, although 0.2 ml/per animal sterile isotonic solution was administered instead. This procedure was repeated once a week for 10 weeks. Following the administration of MNU, the 2nd and 3rd groups were exposed to a sinusoidal magnetic field (SMF, 50 Hz, 5 mT) for 6 h/day for 8 months. P-selectin expression of the four groups of rat colon tissues was determined using immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections. The labeled streptavidin biotin method was performed. Fisher's exact test was used for differences between proportions. Results showed that there was no statistically significant (P>0.05) change in the expression level of P-selectin. However, this result should be verified by both in vivo and in vitro experiments to determine the effects of the magnetic fields on P-selectin.
Keywords: P-selectin; carcinogenesis; electromagnetic fields.