The influence of dietary regimens on the incidence of spontaneous neoplasms in the rat - abstract

ABSTRACT

The levels of caloric and of protein intake were demonstrated to have modifying influence on tumour incidence patterns in the male rat. In a study using five uniform life-long dietary regimens differing only in allotments and in-takes of protein (casein), carbohydrates (sucrose) or of total calories, the total turmour risk was directly and exponentially related to caloric intake. Malignant lymphomas were predominant in rats with high protein in-take, whereas fibromas and fibrosarcomas predominated in rats with low intake. The lowest incidence, the greatest delay in time of occurence, absence of malignant epithelial tumours and greatest life expectancy, were observed when intakes of protein, carbohdrates and total calories were low. Other experiments designed to test the influence of dietary regimens in early life upon tumour incidence later in life will also be discussed briefly (AU)