Pigmentation of kidneys and lymph nodes of mesocolon in rats fed diets containing the laxative danthron.

Abstract

The tumor-promoting activity of the anthraquinone laxative danthron was studied by giving 3 groups of male rats a single subcutaneous injection of the colon tumor-inducing agent 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). After 1 week, the animals were fed diets containing 0, 600 or 2400 ppm of danthron for 26 weeks. Two other groups of rats were included in the study; one received no treatment while the other was given danthron only. Altogether 9 tumors were observed among animals given DMA with or without danthron. The incidence of colon tumors was higher in animals receiving DMH and danthron than in those given DMH only (5/60 vs. 0/30), but this difference was not statistically significant. The kidneys and lymph nodes of mesocolon were enlarged and showed a yellowish-red and brown discoloration, respectively. The pigment mostly displayed a PAS-positive reaction but contained no lipid as determined by several staining procedures. The available evidence suggests that the pigment is drug-derived.

• Authors: P Sjöberg, U Hedelin, T Kronevi, A Lydén-Sokolowski, G Magnusson, G Montin, I M Olofsson, N G Lindquist
• Journal: Toxicology letters (Toxicol Lett) Vol. 44 Issue 3 Pg. 299-306 (Dec 1988) ISSN: 0378-4274 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 3217945 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anthraquinones
• Carcinogens
• Cathartics
• Dimethylhydrazines
• Pigments, Biological
• 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine
• danthron

Topics

• 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine
• Animals
• Anthraquinones (pharmacology)
• Carcinogens
• Cathartics (pharmacology)
• Colonic Neoplasms (chemically induced, pathology)
• Diet
• Dimethylhydrazines
• Kidney (drug effects, pathology)
• Lymph Nodes (drug effects)
• Male
• Mesocolon (drug effects, pathology)
• Microscopy, Electron
• Pigments, Biological (analysis)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains