title: Inhibition of experimental oral carcinogenesis by topical beta carotene.
abstract: beta-Carotene was found to significantly inhibit the formation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced squamous cell carcinoma of hamster buccal pouch when applied topically on days alternate to the application of 0.25% DMBA in heavy mineral oil thrice weekly for 22 weeks. An initial experiment utilized 40 male young adult Syrian hamsters divided into four equal groups. Group 1 had DMBA applied to left buccal pouches thrice weekly. Group 2 had DMBA applied as in group 1 but also beta-carotene thrice weekly on days alternate to the DMBA application. Group 3 animals were painted with only beta-carotene and group 4 animals were untreated controls. In a second experiment with 80 animals, beta-carotene was found to inhibit oral carcinogenesis in an initiation--promotion hamster buccal pouch system using 0.1% DMBA as initiator and 40% benzoyl peroxide as promoter. beta-Carotene inhibited both initiation and promotion.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suda
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shklar
mesh_terms: D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006224:Cricetinae; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene