The effect of iron deficiency on experimental oral carcinogenesis in the rat

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Abstract
The effect of Fe deficiency on oral carcinogenesis was investigated in 30 young adult male Charles River white rats. In 15 animals, prior to the start of carcinogen treatment, Fe deficiency anemia was produced and subsequently maintained by a combination of low Fe diet (12 mg Fe2+ kg-1 diet) and repeated venesection. Control animals (15) were fed the same diet supplemented with Fe to approximately 140 mg Fe2+ kg-1 diet. All animals were treated with the carcinogen 0.5% 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide in propylene glycol which was painted on the palate 3 times/wk. Animals were killed when tumors were grossly evident. The mean Hb levels at the start of carcinogen applications were 10.1 g dl-1 in the anemic group and 14.1 g dl-1 in the control group, and at the time of killing were 8.2 g dl-1 in anemic animals and 13.8 g dl-1 in controls. The incidence of animals developing squamous cell carcinomas was similar in both groups, but tumor development was significantly earlier in Fe-deficient animals (mean 183 days) compared to controls (mean 229 days). Fe-deficient animals showed a significantly greater incidence of tongue tumors and control animals showed a significantly greater incidence of palatal tumors.