• 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (12) , 5482-5485
Abstract
The effect of bile acids on the chemically induced transformation of C3H/10T1/2 fibroblasts in vitro was studied. Bile acids exerted marked cytotoxicity on the cells at concentrations of > 100 .mu.M lithocholic acid or deoxycholic acid, > 150 .mu.M chenodeoxycholic acid and > 500 .mu.M cholic acid. N-methyl-N''-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) at 13.6 .mu.M showed remarkable cytotoxicity to the cells but produced transformed cell foci in the cultures. When the cells were pretreated with MNNG and then maintained in medium containing bile acids, they showed an increased number of transformed cell foci compared to cells treated with MNNG alone. No promotion was observed in cultures treated 1st with bile acids and then with MNNG. Bile acids evidently promote the carcinogenic process of C3H/10T1/2 cells. Such promoting activity was observed not only with secondary but also with primary bile acids. [The role of high fat content diets in causing increased bile acid secretion and colorectal carcinomia was discussed.].