Inhibition of methylcholanthrene-induced skin carcinogenesis in hairless mice by dimethyl sulfoxide

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Abstract
Hairless mice were given 5 topical applications of 470 nmol 20-methylcholanthrene (MCA) at one wedi intervals. In one experimental group the MCA was dissolved in reagent grade acetone alone, in another group it was dissolved in a mixture consisting of 50% acetone and 50% dlmethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A control group received the mixed solvent alone. The animals were observed for development of papillomas and malignant tumors during 75 weeks. The group treated with MCA In acetone/DMSO had a higher mortality than the two other groups. The admixture of 50% DMSO to the solvent had a significant inhibitory effect on tumor and cancer rates and on cancer yield, whereas no effect could be observed on the tumor yield. Hence, 50% DMSO in the solvent has a moderate, but significant, inhibitory effect on MCA-Induced skin carcinogenesis. Similar inhibitory effect of DMSO on the promotion phase in two slage-carcinogenesis protocols have been reported in the literature. The biochemical mechanisms behind this effect are unknown.