Effect of dietary selenite on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced and phenobarbital promoted multistage hepatocarcinogenesis in rat: reflection in some minerals.

Selenium (Se), a dietary micronutrient, plays a vital role in cancer chemotherapy in many organs including the liver. We have studied the relationship between some minerals, which are essential in normal functioning of cells and anticancer effect of Se in N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) induced and phenobarbital (PB) promoted multistage hepatocarcinogenesis. Se (4 ppm through drinking water; as sodium selenite) was given to animals throughout the study, before initiation and during promotion phase of hepatocarcinogenesis, in a defined experimental protocol. Se, sodium, potassium, calcium and iron were measured either in hepatoma, or surrounding liver tissue or whole liver tissue and serum of experimental animals. DEN and PB treatment significantly (P < 0.001) increased potassium, calcium and iron levels in serum, while it decreased (P < 0.001) the Se and sodium levels when compared with control rats. We have also observed significantly increased (P < 0.001) sodium, calcium and iron levels in hepatoma and surrounding liver tissue, whereas, Se, and potassium level was found to be decreased (P < 0.001) when compared with control rats. Supplementation of selenite throughout the study, before initiation and during promotion stage significantly alters the above mineral content. Results showed that the most significant beneficial effect of selenium during hepatocarcinogenesis was exerted potentially in long-term continuous and/or before the initiation phase of carcinogenicity, rather than in the promotion phase. The present and previous results from our laboratory suggest that sub-optimal intake of a single trace mineral can have broad effects on chemotherapy, providing a framework for understanding the multiple beneficial effects of selenium in cancer chemoprevention.

Potential mechanisms of tumorigenic action of diethanolamine in mice.

Diethanolamine (DEA), a secondary amine found in a number of consumer products, reportedly induces liver tumors in mice. In an attempt to define the tumorigenic mechanism of DEA, N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) formation in vivo and development of choline deficiency were examined in mice. DEA was administered with or without supplemental sodium nitrite to B6C3F1 mice via dermal application (with or without access to the application site) or via oral gavage for 2 weeks. Blood levels of DEA reflected the dosing method used; oral greater than dermal with access greater than dermal without access. No NDELA was observed in the urine, blood or gastric contents of any group of treated mice. Choline, phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine were decreased

Effect of polyphenon-60 on the development of renal cell tumors in rats treated with N-ethyl-N hydroxyethylnitrosamine.

Green tea consumed as a beverage in Asia contains polyphenols, which contain about a 15% mixture of catechins. The present paper reports the effect of polyphenon-60 (60% pure catechin) on the development of renal cell neoplasms in Wistar rats pretreated with N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN): 0.1% polyphenon-60 in block diet was given over a period of 30 weeks while EHEN was given in drinking water for 2 weeks. The results appears to show a tendency for green tea catechins (GTC) to decrease the incidence of renal cell tumors greater than 3 mm in diameter in Wistar rats but not tumors that are less than 3 mm in diameter. Polyphenon-60 did not affect EHEN initiation in the kidneys of rats. It is postulated that free radicals induced by EHEN may be suppressed by GTC, resulting in a lowering of the tendency for tumor growth.

Modifying effects of phytic acid and gamma-oryzanol on the promotion stage of rat carcinogenesis.

The modifying effects of phytic acid and gamma-oryzanol on the promotion stage of carcinogenesis were investigated using several two stage carcinogenesis models in rats. In a multi-organ carcinogenesis model, male F344 rats were given combined treatment with 2,2'-dihydroxy-di-n-propylnitrosamine (DHPN), N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN) and 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) during the initial 3 weeks as initiators, and then treated with dietary 2% phytic acid (50% in water), 1% gamma-oryzanol or basal diet alone for 32 weeks. Although the appearance of hepatic tumors was suppressed, the incidence of urinary bladder papillomas was increased by phytic acid. In addition, the incidence and multiplicity of lung tumors were significantly increased by gamma-oryzanol. Esophagus, colon, pancreas, kidney and thyroid lesion development was not influenced by these compounds. In a gamma-oryzanol dose response experiment using DHPN in the drinking water as an initiator, enhancing effects on lung were observed at a dose of 1% but not at 0.5% or lower. When the modifying effects of phytic acid, and its sodium (Na-PA), potassium (K-PA) and magnesium (Mg-PA) salt were further examined in rats pretreated with the bladder carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN), a clear increase in the incidences of bladder tumors was noted, with only Na-PA, phytic acid itself being without effect. Finally, examination of the modifying potential of phytic acid and gamma-oxyzanol on mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague Dawley rats pretreated with a single intragastric dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) revealed no significant differences in the final incidences and multiplicities of mammary tumors, but the average tumor diameter was significantly reduced and the average survival time was increased with phytic acid. gamma-Oryzanol tended to decrease the size of the tumor but without significant difference. These results indicate that phytic acid inhibits hepatic and mammary carcinogenesis, while its Na-salt is a promoter of bladder carcinogenesis. The effect of phytic acid itself on urinary bladder carcinogenesis is equivocal. gamma-Oryzanol is a promoter of lung carcinogenesis but its effect is weak and exerted only at a very high dose level.

Lack of carcinogenicity of triethanolamine in F344 rats.

The carcinogenic potential of triethanolamine was examined in F344 rats. Triethanolamine was dissolved in distilled water at levels of 0 (control), 1, and 2%, and groups of 50 males and 50 females were given these doses ad libitum as drinking water for 2 yr. The dose levels in females were reduced by half from wk 69, because of associated nephrotoxicity. A variety of tumors developed in all groups, including the control group, and all tumors observed were histologically similar to spontaneous tumors in this strain of rats. No statistically significant increase of the incidence of any tumor was observed in the treated groups of both sexes by the chi-square test. In this study, however, there was an increase in nephrotoxicity, which appeared to have an adverse effect on the life expectancy of the treated animals, especially of females. Therefore, an age-adjusted statistical analysis on incidences of main tumors or tumor groups of both sexes was also done by methods recommended by Peto et al. (1980). The result showed that a positive trend (p less than 0.05) was noted in the occurrence of hepatic tumors (neoplastic nodule/hepatocellular carcinoma) in males and of uterine endometrial sarcomas and renal-cell adenomas in females. These tumors, however, have been observed spontaneously in this strain of rats, and their incidences in the control group of the present study were lower than those of our historical controls. These results may indicate that a positive trend in the occurrence of these tumors is not attributable to triethanolamine administration. Increased incidence of renal tumors in the female high-dose group may have been connected with renal damage. Histological examination of renal damage observed in the treated groups, especially in the female high-dose group, revealed acceleration of so-called chronic nephropathy. In addition, mineralization of the renal papilla, nodular hyperplasia of the pelvic mucosa, and pyelonephritis with or without papillary necrosis were also observed. Thus, it is concluded that under these experimental conditions triethanolamine is not carcinogenic in F344 rats but is toxic to the kidneys.