Neoplastic transformation in tissues of rats exposed to monocrotaline or dehydroretronecine.

Abstract

Male Sprague-Dawley rats received sc injections biweekly of either the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline or its metabolite dehydroretronecine for 1 year. The animals were then observed for an additional 12 months for the induction of neoplasms. Of 60 rats that received dehydroretronecine, 39 developed rhabdomyosarcomas at the injection site, and 5 of these neoplasms metastasized. In the 60 monocrotaline-treated rats, 31 widely dispersed tumors of various cell types were recorded. The reason suggested for the variation in tissue response was that the metabolite dehydroretronecine is a proximate carcinogen, whereas monocrotaline must first be metabolized before its carcinogenic potential is realized.

• Authors: R C Shumaker, K A Robertson, I C Hsu, J R Allen
• Journal: Journal of the National Cancer Institute (J Natl Cancer Inst) Vol. 56 Issue 4 Pg. 787-90 (Apr 1976) ISSN: 0027-8874 [Print] United States
• PMID: 176409 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Carcinogens
• Pyrrolidines
• Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
• Monocrotaline
• dehydroretronecine

Topics

• Animals
• Carcinogens
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (chemically induced, pathology)
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Liver Neoplasms
• Male
• Monocrotaline (analogs & derivatives)
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasms, Experimental (chemically induced, pathology)
• Pyrrolidines (toxicity)
• Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (toxicity)
• Rats
• Rhabdomyosarcoma (chemically induced, pathology)