Enhancing effect of ethanol on esophageal tumor development in rats by initiation of diethylnitrosamine

• Published in: Carcinogenesis (New York) 1993-01, Vol.14 (1), p.37-40
• Main Authors: Aze, Yoshiya, Toyoda, Kazuhiro, Furukawa, Fumio, Mitsumori, Kunitoshi, Takahashi, Michihito
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; Chemical agents; Cocarcinogenesis; Diethylnitrosamine - toxicity; Esophageal Neoplasms - chemically induced; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophagus - drug effects; Esophagus - pathology; Ethanol - toxicity; Hyperplasia; Male; Medical sciences; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Tumors
• ISSN: 0143-3334; 1460-2180
• DOI: 10.1093/carcin/14.1.37

The effects of ethanol on initiation of esophageal tumorigenesis by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) were investigated in male F344 rats. Animals were administered 50 p.p.m. DEN plus 10% ethanol (Group 1), 33 p.p.m. DEN (Group 2), 50 p.p.m. DEN (Group 3) or 10% ethanol (Group 4) in the drinking water for the first 8 weeks, and were then maintained on basal diet and tap water for up to 104 weeks. The concentration of 33 p.p.m. DEN in Group 2 was an adjustment to the anticipated intake in Group 1. Consequent total intakes of DEN in Groups 2 and 3 were respectively 80% and 134% of that in Group 1. Histopathological examination of esophagus tissue after final sacrifice revealed incidences of papillomas and/or carcinomas in Groups 1, 2 and 3 to be 57.7, 3.8 and 10.7% respectively. No esophageal tumors occurred in Group 4. The incidence of hyperplasia was 100% in Group 1 in contrast to 46.2% in Group 2, 57.1% in Group 3 and 3.6% in Group 4. Thus, the incidences of esophageal proliferative lesions were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Groups 2 or 3. Our results clearly indicate that ethanol has an enhancing effect on the development of esophageal tumors induced by DEN in rats, when administered during the initiation phase.