Abstract
The modifying potential of diethylmaleate (DEM) and NH4Cl on promotion by butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or NaHCO3 of urinary bladder carcinogenesis in rats initiated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) was investigated. Six week old animals received 0.05% BBN for 4 weeks and then BHA(2%)+DEM(0.15%), BHA+NH4Cl(1%), NaHCO3(3%)+DEM, NaHCO3+NH4Cl, BHA, DEM, NH4Cl or no supplement, administered during experimental weeks 5-36. BHA and NaHCO3 clearly amplify the induction of papillary or nodular (PN) hyperplasias and papillomas in rats initiated with BBN. The promoting activity of BHA was not affected by simultaneous administration of DEM or NH4Cl. The enhancing effects of NaHCO3, in contrast, were clearly diminished by concurrent administration of either of these agents. DEM itself did not influence lesion development whereas NH4Cl reduced the incidence of papillomas. In a second experiment, rats exposed to the same protocol were killed at week 8, and assessed for levels of lipid peroxides in the bladder tissue. No remarkable alterations were observed in any group. Thus, the fact that DEM did exert inhibiting effects on tumor promotion by NaHCO3 without decreasing the urinary sodium ion concentration or pH and influence on lipidperoxide levels, suggests essential differences in the mechanisms of action of different types of bladder promoters.
