Effect of Metamucil on tumour formation by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride in mice.
The effect of the plant cellulose metamucil on the tumorigenicity of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (1,2-DMH) was studied in random-bred Swiss mice. Three groups of mice, which were 5, 6 and 6 weeks old at the beginning of the experiment, were given the following treatments: (1) metamucil (20%, w/w) in powdered diet for their lifespan; (2) 1,2-DMH, ten weekly subcutaneous injections at 20 mg/kg body weight; (3) combination of treatments given to groups 1 and 2. The administration of metamucil enhanced the appearance of colon tumours induced by 1,2-DMH in males only. Metamucil had no statistically significant effect on the development of tumours elicited by 1,2-DMH at seven additional sites. It was expected that a high amount of dietary fibre would inhibit carcinogenesis in the large intestine. Instead, metamucil increased the incidence of colon tumours induced by 1,2-DMH, although only in males.
D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000633:toxicity*; D004127:Dimethylhydrazines; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007443:Intussusception / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D011620:Psyllium / Q000633:toxicity*; D012737:Sex Factors
D002273:Carcinogens; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004127:Dimethylhydrazines; D011620:Psyllium; D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine