title: Enhancing effect of carrageenan on the induction of rat colonic tumors by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and its relation to beta-glucuronidase activities in feces and other tissues.
abstract: Since it has been demonstrated that a high level of fat is a dietary factor in the etiology of colon cancer, the effect of carrageenan, a polysaccharide extracted from the red seaweeds, on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colonic tumors in rats fed a semipurified control diet containing an ordinary level of fat was studied. Nevertheless, the enhancing effect of carrageenan on colonic tumors was observed. The rats fed a carrageenan diet had approximately twice the fecal weight compared to the rats fed a control diet. While no significant differences were found in beta-glucuronidase activities in colonic mucosa, liver or plasma in the carrageenan-fed rats and controls, the activity in feces was significantly lower in the carrageenan-fed rats. At least, no beta-glucuronidase activity seemed to be related to the tumor-enhancing effect of carrageenan.
mesh_terms: D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; D000818:Animals; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000201:enzymology; D004032:Diet; D004127:Dimethylhydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005243:Feces / Q000201:enzymology; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008763:Methylhydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
chemical_list: D004127:Dimethylhydrazines; D008763:Methylhydrazines; D002351:Carrageenan; D005966:Glucuronidase; D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine