Modulation of lung tumor development in mice with the soybean-derived Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor.
Male strain A mice were treated with a single i.p. injection of 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA). Four months later, the number of lung tumors was counted. In mice treated three times a week, for 8 weeks, with crude soybean extract containing the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI), the number of lung tumors was significantly lower than in control animals receiving carcinogen treatment only (40-70% of controls). On the other hand, treatment initiated 8 weeks after MCA only had no effect on tumor development. A reduction in the number of lung tumors was also found in animals treated i.p. or orally with purified BBI three times a week for 8 weeks following MCA administration. It is concluded that BBI is capable of partially blocking the development of lung tumors in mice.
Witschi
H
H
Toxic Substances Research and Teaching Program, University of California, Davis 95616.
Kennedy
A R
AR
D000818:Animals; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D014358:Trypsin Inhibitor, Bowman-Birk Soybean / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014358:Trypsin Inhibitor, Bowman-Birk Soybean; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors; D008748:Methylcholanthrene