Lack of inhibition by retinoids of bis(2-oxopropyl)nitrosamine- induced carcinogenesis in Syrian hamsters

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Abstract
Syrian hamsters were treated with either a low (10 mg/kg body wt) or high (40 mg/kg body wt) single dose of bis(2-oxopropyl)nitrosamine (BOP) and beginning 1 wk later fed either low (0.2 mmol/kg diet) or high (0.4-1.0 mmol/kg diet) levels of one of 4 retinoids [13 cis retinoic acid (13-cis-RA), N-ethylretinamide (ERA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)retinamide (OHERA) or N-(phenyl)retinamide (PRA)] for periods of 40 or 50 wk. The high retinoid levels (0.4-1.0 mmol/kg diet) fed following the highest BOP treatment enhanced pancreatic carcinoma yields (average number/effective animal) in males fed all 4 retinoids, and in females fed ERA and 13-cis-RA. Enhanced adenoma yields were also seen in all groups when high retinoid levels were fed following 40 mg BOP/kg body wt. These retinoid levels caused an increased adenoma yield in male hamsters only and did not modify carcinoma yields when fed following 10 mg BOP/kg body weight. Tumor yields at extra-pancreatic sites were elevated in retinoid-fed hamsters of both sexes after 40 mg BOP/kg body weight and in males fed ERA and 13-cis-RA after 10 mg BOP/kg body wt when retinoids were given at the high levels (0.4-1.0 mmol/kg diet). Increased incidences of bile duct and liver tumors in particular were found in hamsters given 40 mg BOP/kg body wt. Consumption of retinoid levels of 0.4 mmol/kg diet and above was also associated with a high incidence of liver cell necrosis, ovarian cysts and ovarian hemorrhage. Retinoids (ERA, OHERA and PRA) fed at the low level (0.2 mmol/kg diet) following the low BOP dose did not enhance carcinogenesis in the pancreas or at other sites and did not cause alterations in morphologic observations.