Effects of intake of L-ascorbic acid on the incidence of dermal neoplasms induced in mice by ultraviolet light.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Large malignant skin tumors (squamous cell carcinomas) and other lesions were studied in hairless mice (groups of 38-45) intermittently exposed to UV light over a period of 15 wk, beginning when the mice were about 10 wk old. The several groups were given a standard diet with 0%, 0.3%, 5% and 10% added L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) throughout the study. No lesions developed in unirradiated control groups. The lesions were counted every 14 days for 4 mo. beginning 4 wk before the end of the period of irradiation. The observed incidence of lesions of several sizes during successive time periods was analyzed by the statistical method recommended by a committee of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A pronounced effect of vitamin C in decreasing the incidence and delaying the onset of the malignant lesions was observed with high statistical significance.