ENHANCEMENT BY NONMUTAGENIC PESTICIDES OF GST-P POSITIVE HEPATIC FOCI DEVELOPMENT INITIATED WITH DIETHYLNITROSAMINE IN THE RAT

The potential hepatocarcinogenicity of seven pesticides was examined using a rapid bioassay based on the induction of glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci in the rat liver. Rats were initially injected with diethylnitrosamine and two weeks later were fed on diet supplemented with one of the pesticides for 6 weeks and then killed; all rats were subjected to a partial hepatectomy at week 3. Positive results were seen with chlorobenzilate (2000 ppm), vinclozolin (2000 ppm), malathion (4000 ppm), tecnazene (2000 ppm) and isoproturon (2000 ppm). S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF, 200 ppm) and dicloran (2000 ppm) were negative in both number and area analyses. Although chlorobenzilate is carcinogenic in mice, malathion and vinclozolin have been reported as non-carcinogens in both rats and mice. Since the present system is based on the two-stage carcinogenesis hypothesis, it is possible that the chemicals showing positive results in this system possess at least tumor-promoting activity in the rat liver. This is very significant, as most carcinogens show tumor-promoting activity in their target organs.