Abstract
In the first experiment, the carcinogenic potential of diethylene glycol added to the drinking water of male and female F344 rats was examined. Groups of 50 male and 50 female animals were given 2.5% (group I) or 1.25% diethylene glycol (group 11) or tap water (group III) to drink for 108 weeks. Hematological and laboratory examination of the serum and urine, and measurements of organ weights showed no significant differences between the groups in week 108. Tumors developed in the testis, uterus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and adrenal gland of both treatment and control rats, but the incidences of tumors and non-neoplastic lesions did not significantly differ between the three groups. In the second experiment, no renal promoting potential was evident for diethylene glycol, at 2.5% in the drinking water for 30 weeks, after initiation with N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine. In contrast, 1% trisodium nitrilotriacetate monohydrate significantly enhanced kidney lesion development. Thus, no evidence was obtained that diethylene glycol exerts either carcinogenic or promoting effects in rats.
