EFFECT OF SODIUM SACCHARIN AND L-TRYPTOPHAN ON RAT URINE DURING BLADDER CARCINOGENESIS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (1) , 108-112
Abstract
Several parameters of urine excretion were examined during a 2 yr initiation-promotion experiment in male Fischer rats using 4 wk of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide at 0.2% of the diet as the initiating agent and 5% sodium saccharin or 2% L-tryptophan in the diet as promoting agents. Rats fed sodium saccharin increased their intake of water; this was accompanied by diarrhea and an increased urinary volume. Osmolality was decreased slightly. The total amount of sodium excreted was increased, although the concentration in the urine was similar to that of the controls or slightly increased. No abnormalities were observed in urinary K, Ca, urea or other parameters measured except for the pH, which was slightly increased during the first 3 mo. There was no increase in the size or concentration of crystals in the urine of rats fed sodium saccharin and no calculi were observed. Hypoglycemia and hypoglycosuria were present in sodium saccharin-fed rats and to a lesser extent in L-tryptophan-fed rats. No other abnormalities were seen in the urine of rats fed L-tryptophan. None of the urinary factors measured correlated with the induction of urinary bladder lesions by sodium saccharin.