title: Effect of selenium on aflatoxin hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat.
abstract: The effects of selenium (Na2SeO3) on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatic neoplasia were studied in the rat. Putative preneoplastic foci and nodules composed of basophilic, eosinophilic, and clear cells developed early. Basophilic foci were seen first; in the later stages basophilic and eosinophilic nodules predominated. At each stage the AFB1 + Se groups showed fewer and smaller foci and nodules than the AFB1 - Se group. The number of foci in the AFB1 + 3 ppm Se group and their mean area were smaller than those in the 6 ppm Se + AFB1 group. At the end of the experiment hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was found in 11/18 rats (61%) of the AFB1 - Se group. HCC was not found in either of the groups given AFB1 + Se. We conclude that Se had an inhibitory effect on the initiation and promotion stages of AFB1-induced preneoplastic foci and nodules. Se also prevented progression of these nodules to HCC even after cessation of AFB1 administration. The inhibitory effect of Se at 3 ppm was greater than at 6 ppm. The 6 ppm Se group also showed evidence of toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Beijing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: L Q
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Ruebner
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Du
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D002273:Carcinogens; D016604:Aflatoxin B1; D012643:Selenium