Heat shock protein 70 and nitric oxide concentrations in non-tumorous and neoplastic canine mammary tissues: preliminary results - Short communication.

The concentrations of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and nitric oxide ions (NO), measured as nitrite, were determined in canine mammary tumours and nontumorous mammary gland tissues. The concentrations of Hsp70 and NO were significantly higher in both benign and malignant tumours than in non-tumorous mammary tissues. Hsp70 concentration decreased with the increase in the grade of histological malignancy. A strong positive correlation was found between the concentrations of Hsp70 and NO in the benign tumours as well as in grade I and grade II malignant tumours. The results indicate that the process of neoplastic transformation in the canine mammary gland is related to a significant increase in Hsp70 and NO concentration in tumour tissues, and an interdependence between Hsp70 and nitrite ion production can be observed.