US EPA

626379 

Journal Article 

Enhancement of urethan tumorigenesis in mouse lung by butylated hydroxytoluene 

Witschi, H; Williamson, D; Lock, S 

1977 

Yes 

Journal of the National Cancer Institute
ISSN: 0027-8874
EISSN: 1460-2105 

58 

2 

301-305 

English 

833878 

10.1093/jnci/58.2.301 

WOS:A1977CV49400022 

Intraperitoneal injection of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) produces cell proliferation in mouse lungs within 2-4 days. We examined whether the presence of an increased number of proliferating lung cells would influence urethan tumorigenesis. Male Swiss-Webster mice were treated with 1 mg urethan/g before, during, or after BHT-stimulated cell growth in the lung. The number of pulmonary tumors found 13-15 weeks later was not different in BHT-treated mice compared to that in controls. On the other hand, repeated stimulation of cell growth after urethan treatment enhanced tumorigenesis. Male Swiss-Webster and A/J mice were given a single dose of urethan (1 mg/g) and, beginning 7 days later, weekly injections of BHT or corn oil. Repeated injections of BHT significantly increased the yield of lung tumors in both strains. Weekly injections of BHT into mice pretreated with 0.9% NaCl reduced the number of spontaneous pulmonary adenomas.