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The present studies compared the antiproliferative effects of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and diallyl disulfide (DADS) on cultured human neoplastic (A549) and nonneoplastic (MRC-5) lung cells. Addition of 10 microM DATS reduced A549 growth by 47%, whereas 10 microM DADS decreased growth by only 20%. DATS treatment (10 microM) did not alter MRC-5 cell growth. DATS (10 microM) caused a marked and progressive increase in intracellular Ca2+ in A549 cells during the first four hours after treatment. Intracellular Ca2+ in A549 cells exposed to DATS returned to near control levels within one hour after refeeding complete medium without DATS. Exposure to 1 microM DATS for 24 hours significantly induced apoptosis, as indicated by increased DNA fragmentation. The ability of DATS and DADS to suppress neoplastic growth is consistent with increasing evidence that several garlic components have anticarcinogenic and antitumorigenic properties.

Water extracts of garlic, deodorized garlic powder, and onions, but not leeks, were found to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the in vitro formation of N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR), a known liver carcinogen. Addition of increasing quantities (20, 40, and 80 mM) of S-allyl cysteine (SAC), a water-soluble compound in processed garlic, depressed NMOR formation by 16%, 27%, and 43%, respectively (p < 0.05). The ability of SAC to block NMOR formation decreased as the NaNO7 and morpholine concentrations increased. SAC and its non-allyl analog S-propyl cysteine effectively blocked NMOR formation. SAC and S-propyl cysteine were less effective than isomolar cysteine in reducing NMOR formation (p < 0.05). The oil-soluble sulfur compounds diallyl disulfide (DADS), dipropyl disulfide, and diallyl sulfide were ineffective inhibitors of NMOR generation (p > 0.05). SAC and DADS reduced the mutagenicity of NMOR in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 (p < 0.05). SAC at 70 mumol/plate reduced the number of histidine revertants per plate by 51% (p < 0.05), whereas DADS at 0.12 mumol/plate reduced mutant colony number by 76% (p < 0.05). SAC and DADS were more effective than isomolar cysteine in reducing NMOR mutagenicity (p < 0.05). The ability of sulfur compounds in garlic and onions to depress nitrosamine formation and bioactivation in these studies is consistent with epidemiologic evidence that higher intake of allium plants is associated with a reduction in the risks of some cancers.

These studies examined the ability of garlic powder or allyl sulfur compounds to modify selenite protection against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary epithelial cell DNA adducts. In Study 1, female rats (n = 5) were fed diets containing sodium selenite at 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg Se/kg and garlic powder at 0, 20, or 40 g/kg diet. Total DNA adducts correlated inversely with selenite or garlic powder intake. Garlic powder enhanced the selenite inhibition of mammary DNA adducts. In Study 2, selenite (2.0 mg Se/kg diet), garlic powder (20 g/kg diet), water-soluble S-allyl cysteine (SAC; 5.2 mumol/kg diet), and oil-soluble diallyl disulfide (DADS; 5.2 mumol/kg diet) inhibited (p < 0.05) total DNA adducts by 45%, 40%, 80%, and 75%, respectively. Combining selenite with garlic powder, SAC, or DADS further inhibited DNA adducts. Selenite, but not garlic powder, SAC, or DADS, enhanced liver glutathione S-transferase and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase activities. Selenite, garlic powder, SAC, or DADS did not affect liver cytochrome P-450 1A1 activities. The present studies provide evidence that synergistic protection against the initiation of DMBA carcinogenesis occurs when selenite is supplemented in conjunction with garlic or its allyl sulfur components.

These studies examined the impact of dietary corn oil and its major constituent fatty acids on the occurrence of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary DNA adducts. In study 1, rats were fed diets containing 5, 10 or 20% corn oil for 2 weeks prior to DMBA treatment (25 mg/kg). Mammary DNA adducts increased significantly (P < 0.05) as the quantity of dietary corn oil increased. Liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities increased while UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activities decreased as the quantity of dietary corn oil increased. Increased adducts resulting from greater corn oil consumption were positively correlated with GST and negatively correlated with UGT activities. In study 2, rats were fed diets containing 5 or 20% corn oil, or 5% corn oil supplemented with 1.67% palmitic, 3.81% oleic or 8.78% linoleic acid (quantities in 15% corn oil) for 2 weeks prior to DMBA treatment (50 mg/kg). Total mammary DNA adducts were 75, 136 and 156% greater in rats fed the 20% corn oil, oleic acid-supplemented and linoleic acid-supplemented diets, respectively, than in those fed the 5% corn oil diet. Palmitic acid supplementation did not affect the occurrence of adducts. Adducts in study 2 did not correlate with GST or UGT activities. These studies demonstrate that enhanced DMBA bioactivation caused by increased corn oil consumption can be at least partially explained by increased intake of oleic and linoleic acids.

Commercially available ground rosemary powder was examined for its ability to modify the in vivo binding of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) metabolites to mammary cell DNA in 55-d-old rats fed diets containing varying quantities and types of lipids. Supplementing a casein-based diet containing 20% corn oil with 1 % rosemary for 2 wk reduced by 76% the occurrence of DMBA-induced DNA adducts occurring 24 h after treatment with 50 mg DMBA/kg body weight. A comparable reduction in DNA adducts (66%) occurred when 0.5% rosemary was added to a diet containing 20% corn oil, and the quantity of DMBA given was reduced to 25 mg/kg body weight. The reduction in the occurrence of adducts occurring 24 h after DMBA treatment caused by 0.5% dietary rosemary was greater (P < 0.05) when added to a diet containing 20% corn oil than when added to a diet containing 5% corn oil and 15% coconut oil. Rosemary, 1% but not 0.5%, reduced DMBA-induced DNA adducts when the diet contained 5% corn oil. These studies demonstrate that rosemary is effective in reducing the binding of DMBA metabolites to rat mammary cell DNA. Furthermore, the present studies demonstrate that the benefits of rosemary are dependent on the source and concentration of dietary lipids.

The present studies examined the anti-proliferative effects of diallyl disulfide (DADS) on the growth of human colon tumor cell line, HCT-15, xenografts in 6-wk-old female NCr nu/nu mice with an initial body weight of 20-22 g. Intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg DADS thrice weekly reduced tumor volume by 69% (P < 0.05) without apparent ill consequences such as altered growth of the host. Providing this quantity of DADS intragastrically also inhibited growth of the HCT-15 tumor. At equivalent DADS dosages, intraperitoneal treatment was proportionately more effective (P < 0.05) in reducing tumor growth than gastric intubation. Tumor inhibition caused by DADS (0.5 mg thrice weekly) was similar to that occurring with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment (0.5 mg thrice weekly). Combining DADS and 5-FU was no more effective in inhibiting tumor growth than using either compound alone. However, concurrent DADS treatment significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the depression in leukocyte counts and spleen weight and prevented the elevated plasma urea caused by 5-FU treatment. These data suggest that DADS, a constituent of garlic oil, reduces the toxicity of 5-FU and is an effective antitumorigenic agent against xenografts resulting from an established human colon tumor cell line.

Our previous studies demonstrated that dietary garlic powder supplementation inhibits N-nitrosamine induced DNA alkylation in liver and mammary tissue. The present studies compared the impact of dietary supplementation with garlic powder or two garlic constituents, water-soluble S-allyl cysteine (SAC) and oil-soluble diallyl disulfide (DADS), on the incidence of mammary tumorigenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semi-purified casein based diets with or without supplements of garlic powder(20g/kg), SAC (57 micromol/kg) or DADS (57 micromol/kg) for 2 weeks prior to treatment with MNU (15 mg/kg body wt). Garlic powder, SAC and DADS supplementation significantly delayed the onset of mammary tumors compared to rats receiving the unsupplemented diet. Tumor incidence 23 weeks after MNU treatment was reduced by 76, 41 and 53% in rats fed garlic, SAC and DADS, respectively, compared to controls (P<0.05). Total tumor number was reduced 81, 35 and 65% by these supplements, respectively (P<0.05). In a separate study the quantity of mammary DNA alkylation occurring 3 h after MNU treatment was reduced in rats fed garlic, SAC or DADS (P<0.05). Specifically, O(6)-methylguanine adducts were reduced by 27, 18 and 23% in rats fed supplemental garlic, SAC and DADS, respectively, compared to controls. N(7)-Methylguanine adducts decreased by 48, 22 and 21% respectively, compared to rats fed the control diet. These studies demonstrate that garlic and associated allyl sulfur components, SAC and DADS, are effective inhibitors of MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis.

The present studies compared the effects of various oil-soluble compounds containing allyl and disulfide groups on the proliferation of cultured human colon tumor cells (HCT-15). Diallyl disulfide (DADS) was more effective in inhibiting the growth of HCT-15 cells than isomolar concentrations of S-allyl cysteine, dipropyl disulfide (DPDS), allyl chloride, allyl glycidyl ether and allyl alcohol. These studies clearly demonstrate the importance of both the diallyl and the disulfide groups in DADS. Treatment of HCT-15 cells with 100 microM DADS increased the intracellular calcium levels by 40%, while DPDS caused only a 12% increase in intracellular calcium. Exposure to 100 microM DADS or more, but not DPDS, caused the cells to undergo apoptosis as determined by morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. A positive correlation (r=0.944) was found between DADS-induced DNA fragmentation and its ability to increase intracellular free calcium levels. The widespread effectiveness of DADS was evident by its ability to inhibit the growth of human colon (HCT-15), skin (SK MEL-2) and lung (A549) tumor cell lines.

Various dietary components were evaluated as factors influencing garlic's ability to depress rat mammary cell DNA adducts resulting from 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) treatment. Diets with or without garlic powder (20 g/kg) were provided for 2 wk before DMBA treatment (25 mg/kg body weight). Rats fed diets containing 36 g casein/100 g diet had 31% fewer (P < 0.05) mammary cell DNA adducts than those fed 12 g/100 g. Garlic supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced DNA adducts in rats fed either 12 or 36 g casein/100 g by 35 and 32% respectively. In the absence of dietary garlic, DNA adducts were 23% lower (P < 0.05) in rats provided a diet containing supplemental L-methionine at 0.9 g/100 g than at 0.3 g/100 g. However, adduct inhibition by garlic supplementation was greater in rats fed the lower (P < 0.05) amount of methionine (54 vs. 26% inhibition). Adduct levels in rats fed diets with 20 g corn oil/100 g were twice those occurring in rats fed 5 g/100 g (P < 0.05), regardless of adjustment for energy density. Garlic supplementation prevented the increase in DNA adducts caused by increasing dietary corn oil. Combining dietary supplements of garlic, selenite (0.5 mg/kg diet) and retinyl acetate (328 mg/kg diet) inhibited the occurrence of DNA adducts to a greater degree than when each was supplied individually. These studies demonstrate that while dietary garlic can reduce DNA adduct formation in mammary tissue caused by DMBA, this protection is influenced by several dietary components.

Retention of Se in CMT-13 cells increased with an increase in the concentration of selenite in the incubation medium, the duration of exposure, and the density of the culture. The enhanced toxicity of selenite coincided with a proportional increase in Se in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. About 90% of the accumulated Se was isolated with cytoplasmic macromolecules. Increased nuclear Se retention correlated with increased cytoplasmic Se retention. Greater quantities of cytosolic Se-containing proteins (74, 55, 41, 34, and 28 kDa) and a nuclear Se-containing protein (56 kDa) were detected as the quantity of Se within CMT-13 cells increased. These findings suggest that cellular retention and distribution of Se are determinants of the degree of cellular growth inhibition caused by this trace element.

Diallyl disulfide (DADS), an oil-soluble organosulfur compound in processed garlic, was more effective in inhibiting the in vitro growth of human tumor cell lines: HCT-15 (colon), A549 (lung), and SK MEL-2 (skin) than isomolar quantities of the water-soluble compound S-allyl cysteine (SAC). Addition of DADS (100 microM) was cytostatic to all three cell lines. The importance of the allyl and the disulfide groups were revealed by the lack of a comparable depression in the growth of HCT-15 cells exposed to its saturated analogue, dipropyl disulfide (DPDS). Treatment with DADS also resulted in a dose-dependent increase in intracellular free calcium in cells. A dose-dependent decrease in the activity of calcium-dependent ATPase enzyme occurred in HCT-15 cells exposed to increasing quantities of DADS. A correlation (r = -0.975) was found between the intracellular free calcium levels and the Ca-ATPase activity in DADS-treated cells. These studies document that DADS, a constituent of garlic oil, is an effective inhibitor of the growth of human neoplastic cells. Alterations in calcium hemostasis are likely involved in the growth inhibition/cytotoxicity caused by DADS.

Background: Selenium deficiency has been associated with cancer risk in several organs. This association was investigated in neoplasia of the colorectum., Design: A case-control study is reported with two patient series, colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomatous polyps, and a control group found to be free of colorectal neoplasia. Diagnosis was determined by colonoscopy and histologic review of suspected neoplasms. Serum drawn at the time of colonoscopy was subsequently assayed for selenium content, and quartiles based on selenium were defined. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95 percent confidence intervals for adenoma related to selenium were calculated, controlling for known or suspected risk factors including gender, age, race, body mass index, family history, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, serum beta carotene, serum alpha tocopherol, and serum ferritin., Results: There were 138 controls who had no neoplastic disease, 139 adenoma patients, and 25 cancer patients. For adenoma, comparing higher quartiles of selenium to the first (lowest selenium), the adjusted odds ratio for the second quartile was 1.7 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.8-3.7), the third quartile was 1.4 (0.7-3.2), and the fourth (highest selenium) quartile was 1.8 (0.9-4). The odds ratios for cancer patients were 0.8 for the second quartile, 1 for the third quartile, and 1.7 for the fourth quartile., Conclusion: No trend could be detected toward a protective effect of higher levels of serum selenium for colonic benign or malignant tumors.

The accuracy of identification of Serpulina hyodysenteriae strains grown in a complex medium was 90% when 2 commercial test kits were used. Unlike the other S. hyodysenteriae strains, S. hyodysenteriae strain P35/2 was unusual in being indole negative. The nonpathogenic intestinal spirochete PWS/A, which is from a different species, was indole positive and alpha-galactosidase negative. Identification of these spirochetes on the basis of these kits alone would have been incorrect. The analysis of volatile fatty acids by gas chromatography showed that the ratio of acetic to butyric acid was from 11:1 to 44:1 for S. hyodysenteriae strains, which distinguished them from the other spirochetes. The exception was PWS/A (acetic: butyric of 32:1), but this spirochete, unlike the S. hyodysenteriae spirochetes, also produced isobutyric acid. Short chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography detected different SCFAs in addition to acetic and butyric acids. These additional SCFAs did not contribute to further differentiation of the porcine spirochetes.

Chemotaxis of porcine spirochetes towards a variety of mucins was measured quantitatively by a capillary method. A chemotaxis buffer consisting of 0.01 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and 0.2 mM L-cysteine hydrochloride was necessary for chemotaxis of spirochetes. The optimum incubation time and incubation temperature were 1 h and 40 degrees C, respectively. The mucin concentration also affected the chemotaxis observed, and a concentration of 1% (wt/vol) was near the optimum. Virulent Serpulina hyodysenteriae strains were chemotactic towards 1% (wt/vol) hog gastric mucin and 1% (wt/vol) porcine colonic mucin but not towards 1% (wt/vol) bovine submaxillary mucin. Virulent S. hyodysenteriae strains were significantly more chemotactic than avirulent strains of S. hyodysenteriae (SA3 and VS1), Serpulina intermedius, and Serpulina innocens. Other spirochetes belonging to the proposed group of spirochetes Anguillina coli were also not chemotactic. Pathogenicity of S. hyodysenteriae strains that cause swine dysentery may, in part, be attributed to their attraction to porcine intestinal mucus.

The present studies determined the impact of dietary selenite on glutathione homeostasis in liver and mammary tissue and its relationship to biliary excretion of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) conjugates. In Experiment 1, liver and mammary tissue concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) were positively correlated with tissue selenium concentration in female rats fed semipurified diets supplemented with sodium selenite (0.05 to 4 mg Se/kg). The magnitude of the response was dependent upon total selenite intake and the tissue examined. Glutathione peroxidase activity did not correlate with tissue GSH concentration. Because both selenite and BHT have been reported to elevate liver GSH, Experiment 2 compared these agents (4 mg Se/kg and 6 g/kg BHT/kg, respectively) on the biliary excretion of DMBA metabolites. Five major biliary DMBA conjugates, three GSH and two beta-glucuronide, were identified. Dietary addition of selenite or BHT enhanced the excretion of these DMBA conjugates by over 100% during the 15-h collection period. These investigations suggest that dietary selenium can alter the concentration of GSH and the activities of three glutathione-dependent enzymes in mammary and liver, accounting for part of the expanded biliary excretion of DMBA conjugates. Enhanced biliary loss of DMBA conjugates likely relates to the reported depression in DMBA binding to mammary cell DNA and the inhibition of DMBA carcinogenesis caused by dietary selenite.

The present studies examined the impact of a processed garlic powder on the in vivo occurrence of DNA adducts caused by N-nitroso compounds (NOC) in rats. Addition of 2% garlic powder to diets containing aminopyrine and sodium nitrite (each at 600 mg/kg) reduced the occurrence of both 7-N-methyldeoxyguanosine (7-N-mG) and 6-O-methyldeoxyguanosine (6-O-mG) adducts to rat liver DNA by approximately 55%; and over 80% when 4% garlic was provided. Dietary supplementation with garlic powder (2 and 4%) also reduced the occurrence of 7-N-mG and 6-O-mG adducts by approximately 40 and 60% respectively, in rats intubated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (150 mg/kg body wt). The quantity of 7-N-mG and 6-O-mG adducts in mammary tissue of rats given intravenous N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (50 mg/kg body wt) was reduced over 50% in rats fed 2% garlic compared to controls. The depression in the occurrence of these adducts was approximately 70% when dietary garlic was increased to 4%. These experiments suggest the reduction in DNA adducts caused by processed garlic powder likely reflects a depression in the formation of NOC from precursors and changes in the bioactivation and/or denitrosation of NOC.

Six organosulfur compounds found in garlic were examined for their ability to alter the growth of canine mammary tumor cells (CMT-13) in culture. Water-soluble organosulfur compounds (S-allyl-cysteine, S-ethyl-cysteine and S-propyl-cysteine) did not significantly alter the growth of CMT-13 cells when added to cultures at 1.0 mM or less. However, oil-soluble organosulfur compounds (diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide) markedly inhibited growth. Increasing addition of diallyl disulfide (DADS) resulted in a progressive decrease in CMT-13 cell growth. Addition of glutathione before DADS markedly decreased the severity of the growth inhibition. Treatment with DL-buthionine-SR-sulfoxamine, a specific inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, accentuated the growth inhibition caused by DADS. These studies show that some organosulfur compounds found in garlic are effective inhibitors of the growth of the neoplastic CMT-13 cell. The inhibitory effects of these compounds are modified by intracellular glutathione.

The present studies assessed the impact of various sources of garlic and their constituents (water- and ethanol-extracts and S-allylcysteine) on the in vivo binding of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to rat mammary cell DNA. The provision of dietary raw garlic powder (2%) or its water-extract (1.5%) reduced DMBA-DNA binding by 33 and 46% respectively. Dietary supplementation with a commercially available deodorized garlic powder (powder A) at 2 or 4% depressed the occurrence of adducts by 50 and 78% respectively, while providing a commercially available high sulfur garlic preparation (powder B) at 2% reduced binding by 56%. A pair-feeding study revealed that the depression in carcinogen binding was independent of food intake or weight gain. Although 1% raw garlic powder did not significantly influence the occurrence of DMBA-DNA adducts, an equivalent as the water-extract (0.75%), the ethanol-extract (0.015%) or commercially available powders (A and B) reduced DMBA adducts in mammary tissue by 44, 25, 71 and 65% respectively. Dietary fortification with S-allylcysteine (SAC), a water-soluble constituent of processed garlic, caused a progressive decrease in the binding of DMBA to DNA. Studies with SAC suggest the primary effect of garlic and its constituents is on the bioactivation and binding of the carcinogen rather than DNA repair. These data reveal that several forms of garlic are effective, although variable, in altering carcinogen bioactivation and presumably chemically induced carcinogenesis.

The in vitro responses of canine mammary tumor (CMT-13) cells and normal canine mammary (NCM) cells to 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3-butene (CHB), a naturally occurring nitrile in cruciferous plants, and selenium (Se) were investigated. CHB at 10 and 20 mM inhibited growth and viability of CMT-13 and NCM cells, respectively. This differential sensitivity was associated with a decreased ability of CMT-13 cells to increase intracellular glutathione (GSH) in comparison to NCM cells. Exposure of both cell types to 3.2 microM Se as sodium selenite alone had no effects, but addition of 3.2 microM Se 24 h after exposure to non-toxic doses of CHB resulted in a substantial decrease in growth of CMT cells, while NCM cells remained unaffected. The synergy noted between CHB and Se in inhibiting growth and viability of neoplastic mammary cells at levels not toxic to normal mammary cells is promising initial evidence that CHB could have a role in chemoprotection or chemotherapy.

The present studies determined the influence of dietary supplements of garlic powder (0, 1, 2 or 4%) on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors and on the in vivo occurrence of mammary DMBA-DNA adducts in rats. Diets were offered 2 weeks before and 2 weeks following DMBA treatment (25 mg/kg body wt). An additional group was fed the 2% garlic powder diet throughout the 20 week study. Although food intake and weight gain were not influenced, dietary garlic powder supplementation did significantly delay the onset of first tumors (P < 0.01) and did reduce the final mammary tumor incidence (P < 0.01). Consumption of garlic powder also significantly depressed the in vivo binding of DMBA to mammary cell DNA. Binding of both anti- and syn-dihydrodiol epoxides to DNA was depressed in rats fed supplemental garlic powder. The activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in mammary and liver tissue from rats fed 2% dietary garlic powder was higher than observed in tissues from rats fed the basal diet. No further increase in GST activity occurred when the dietary garlic content was increased from 2 to 4%. Final mammary tumor incidence was found to correlate positively with total DMBA-DNA binding and the quantities of individual DMBA-DNA adducts. The present studies demonstrate that garlic powder is effective in inhibiting DMBA-induced mammary tumors, possibly by reducing DMBA-DNA binding.

The experiment was performed on Sprague-Dawley male rats weighting 203, 103 and 53 g, and female 99 g. Animals were fed for 2 weeks a diet containing 0.1 and 2.0 ppm of Se (Na2SeO3 added). It was observed that the daily Se intake per kg of BW is lowered with an increase in animals body weight. Se-supplementation caused a significant increase of Se content in plasma and red blood cells. The highest concentration of Se in plasma and in RBC was found in females. GSH-Px activity was higher in RBC of all male rats receiving a Se-supplemented diet, but not in females. In plasma these differences between Se-adequate and supplemented rats were significant in youngest male rats and in females. These results suggest that age and sex of rats affect the concentration of Se and GSH-Px activity in plasma and RBC of rats.

The present studies determined the impact of age, dietary selenium and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) dosage on the occurrence of DMBA-DNA adducts in rat mammary tissue. Diets formulated to contain selenium, as sodium selenite, at 0.1 (control) or 2.0 mg/kg were fed for 2 wk before DMBA treatment. Food intake and weight gain were not influenced by selenium intake. Anti- and syn-dihydrodiol epoxide adducts reached maximum binding by 24 and 36 h, respectively, after treatment with DMBA. Consumption of the diet containing 2.0 mg Se/kg inhibited the appearance of both anti- and syn-adducts by approximately 50% compared with controls. The occurrence of DMBA-DNA adducts correlated with a dosage of DMBA from 5 to 50 mg/kg body wt (r greater than or equal to 0.95). The ability of supplemental selenite to lower DMBA binding to mammary cell DNA increased as the quantity of the carcinogen administered increased. DMBA-DNA binding was found to increase with the increasing age of the rat. Nevertheless, dietary selenium supplementation was effective in reducing DMBA binding to DNA in all ages examined. These data confirmed the ability of dietary selenium to inhibit the in vivo metabolism of DMBA under a variety of conditions.

Human milk and bulk cow's milk samples from 3 different areas of central Poland were analyzed for their Se content. Cow's milk specimens were also analyzed for Se distribution and GSH-Px activity. Mature human milk contained 34-68% more Se than bulk cow's milk obtained from analogous areas of central Poland. Comparison of literature values suggest, that human and cow's milk from vicinity of Warsaw and Piotrków Trubunalski were Se-adequate but milk from Siedlce area was Se-deficient. Glutathione peroxidase activity accounted for 25-31% of the total peroxidase activity of cow's milk. The majority of the Se was found in the whey fraction. It was suggested that the participation of the casein fraction in total milk selenium increased faster than milk Se content. Cow's milk obtained near Warsaw had a 2-times higher concentration of Se than in milk from Siedlce but the content of this microelement in the casein fraction (pellet) was 3-times higher.

The present studies demonstrate that the ability of supplemental selenite to alter the in vitro growth of canine mammary tumor cell line 13 was dependent on the quantity and duration of selenium exposure and on the culture density. Exposure to 3.2 microM selenite did not significantly alter growth but led to an increase in intracellular glutathione (GSH). The severity of growth inhibition between 3.2 and 9.6 microM selenite was dependent on the duration of exposure and culture density. The toxicity of selenite generally increased as the culture density increased. Likewise, changes in intracellular GSH were dependent on the quantity and duration of selenite exposure and the culture density. Depressing intracellular GSH by increasing the culture density or by incubating with buthionine sulfoximine; a specific inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase, increased the severity of growth inhibition caused by selenite and markedly increased cellular retention of selenium. Nevertheless, marked cellular retention of selenium did not occur until growth was inhibited by more than 50%. The present studies revealed that the log of the molar ratio of GSH to selenium correlated negatively with the severity of growth inhibition (P less than 0.0001). These studies suggest that cellular toxicity of selenite is dependent on the regulation of the GSH:selenium ratio. An inability to regulate this ratio likely leads to the accumulation of toxic seleno compounds.

The present studies were designed to examine the influence of dietary selenite supplementation on the initiation phase of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis and to correlate selenite-induced changes in the binding of DMBA metabolites to rat mammary cell DNA with the ultimate tumor incidence. Diets formulated to contain selenium, as sodium selenite at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 micrograms/g were fed for 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks following treatment with DMBA (5 mg/kg body weight). Food intake and weight gain did not differ among treatments. Tumor incidence correlated inversely to the quantity of selenium consumed (r = -0.99). Final tumor incidences were 52, 32, 24, 14, and 10% for rats fed 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 4 micrograms selenium/g, respectively. In a separate group of rats fed a diet containing 4 micrograms selenium/g during both the initiation and promotion stages the final tumor incidence was 4.8%. Selenite supplementation for 2 weeks markedly depressed the occurrence of individual and total DMBA-DNA adducts. The final mammary tumor incidence correlated positively with total DMBA-DNA adducts (r = 0.99). These studies clearly demonstrate that selenite can inhibit the initiation stage of mammary carcinogenesis. This reduction in tumor incidence is likely due to a reduction in carcinogen metabolism and ultimately adduct formation.

Present studies show the in vitro addition of glutathione (GSH) can significantly alter selenite induced growth inhibition of mammary tumor cell line 13 (CMT-13). Preincubation with 100 microM GSH for 24 h partially prevented the growth inhibition caused by 12.6 microM selenite. Pre-incubation with 100 microM GSH for 48 h completely prevented the growth inhibition caused by 12.6 microM selenite. In marked contrast, simultaneous addition of GSH and selenite dramatically increased the severity of selenite-mediated growth inhibition and resulted in cell death. Exposure to selenite (12.6 microM) increased intracellular GSH throughout the 3 day incubation period. Addition of GSH to the medium also led to an approximate 25% increase in intracellular GSH that persisted for 72 h. Cellular retention of selenium following selenite supplementation was decreased up to 70% by GSH preincubation yet increased markedly (greater than or equal to 240%) by the simultaneous addition of GSH and selenite. The rate of selenite uptake was not consistently altered by GSH pretreatment. However, the simultaneous addition of GSH and selenite resulted in a dramatically increased rate of selenium uptake. These data indicate that extracellular GSH can alter the toxicity of supplemental selenite. The protective effect of GSH pre-incubation against selenite toxicity appears to relate to altered selenium retention.

Our study was designed to assess the role of selenium (Se) in development of neonatal lungs under conditions of normoxia and hyperoxia. Thirty-six female Sprague Dawley rats were bred and fed a Se-deficient (0.03 ppm Se) or a Se-adequate (0.5 ppm Se) diet during pregnancy and lactation. At d 2 postpartum, 24 litters were randomly assigned to either high oxygen (greater than 95%) or air and were cross-fostered for 4 d. Lung weight was significantly enhanced in Se-adequate pups and was not related to high oxygen or air exposure of either the pups or dams. Two types of histologic lesions were observed in the lungs of the pups: septal attenuation and interstitial inflammation. When reared in oxygen, all (17 of 17) Se-deficient pups had lesions. In contrast, only 60% (9 of 15) of Se-adequate pups were affected (p less than 0.01). Lung lesions also were more severe in Se-deficient pups. Se-deficient pups also displayed a significant degree of septal attenuation when reared in air. Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in the pup lung was significantly elevated in response to hyperoxia and was unrelated to Se nutriture. No differences in activities of lung superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione s-transferase were noted between Se-deficient and Se-adequate pups reared in air or high oxygen environments. These data indicate that Se has an important role in the development of neonatal lungs, a role that is even more pronounced during conditions of hyperoxia. The protective role of Se in developing lung tissue cannot be completely explained by enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity.

The in vivo formation of 32P-postlabeled mammary 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-DNA adducts was evaluated for female Sprague-Dawley rats following administration of DMBA (i.g.) at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 mg/rat. Adduct formation was also measured as a function of time following DMBA intubation. At least eight adducts were formed in vivo in mammary epithelial cells. The identities of four of these nucleoside bisphosphate adduct spots were determined by cross-referencing with previously characterized 3H-labeled nucleoside DMBA adducts. These identified adducts constitute four of the five major adducts formed in vivo. Two adducts were identified as the anti-dihydrodiolepoxide of DMBA reacted with deoxyguanosine (dGuo). Two other major adducts were derived from the syn-dihydrodiolepoxide and bound to dGuo and to deoxyadenosine (dAdo). Total DMBA-DNA binding increased at all DMBA doses investigated (r = 0.94). Total binding values were (mean +/- SEM) 39.3 +/- 6.1, 158.0 +/- 16.9, 194.7 +/- 9.9, 326.9 +/- 21.5 and 443.2 +/- 20.8 nmol DMBA/mol DNA for rats administered DMBA at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 mg/rat respectively. The anti-dGuo adduct predominated at all doses and times evaluated, contributing to approximately 52% of total binding. The occurrence of anti-derived adducts was greater than that of syn-derived adducts. Binding of DMBA to dGuo substantially exceeded binding to dAdo. The 32P-postlabeling procedure represents a sensitive technique for detecting specific DMBA-DNA adducts formed in vivo in the rat mammary gland.

Previous studies with cultures of canine mammary cells revealed differences in the degree of growth inhibition caused by selenite supplementation, with canine mammary tumor cell line 13 > 11 >> non-neoplastic canine mammary cells. The present studies show this variation in growth retardation cannot be explained by selenium retention. Intracellular glutathione related inversely to the degree of growth inhibition resulting from the addition of selenite. Dimethyl selenide formation by S-9 preparations corresponded to the sensitivity of the culture to supplemental selenite. DL-buthionine-SR-sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis, accentuated the growth inhibition and prevented the increase in intracellular glutathione caused by supplemental selenite. Treatment of canine mammary tumor cell line 13 cultures with DL-buthionine-SR-sulfoximine resulted in a persistent depletion of intracellular glutathione without affecting growth. Glutathione reductase activity, before and following selenite, was inversely related to the degree of growth inhibition, with canine mammary tumor cell line 13 > 11 > non-neoplastic canine mammary tumor cell line. Selenite addition increased the activity of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase in canine mammary tumor cell line 11 and non-neoplastic canine mammary cells, but not in canine mammary tumor cell line 13 cells. The present data suggest the differences in the growth inhibition caused by selenite among these mammary cells is related to glutathione regulation and ultimately to selenium detoxification.

Trace elements perform important functions in growth and development. However, little information exists about their dietary requirements during the demanding period of infancy. Opportunities to add to knowledge of the physiologic significance and dietary adequacy of trace elements in human nutrition are provided by recent analytic advances. Specific, sensitive, and reliable methods for the detection of trace element imbalances are sorely needed. Although several factors influence the dietary needs of these essential elements, the basis for establishing dietary needs in infants is hindered by the death of studies that have assessed their bioavailability in this age group. Thus until it has been conclusively shown otherwise, the physiologic response to human milk is used as the standard for infant feeding practices. This review is limited primarily to the physiologic significance and bioavailability of zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, fluoride, and selenium. The space devoted to each trace element is not meant to represent the element's importance but, rather, to reflect some of the present understanding of its metabolism and utilization.

The growth of immature beagle dogs and weanling rats fed dietary protein concentrations between 0 and 20% were investigated. With lactalbumin as the protein source, 8- to 10-week-old dogs exhibited optimal growth when the diet supplied between 15 and 20% protein, whereas in older growing dogs (13-17 weeks) maximum growth and feed efficiency occurred with 11.7% dietary protein. Growth and feed efficiency of weanling rats were calculated to be optimal at 11.5% dietary protein. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) calculated during 14 days of feeding a 10% lactalbumin diet was 3.14 for 8- and 10-week-old dogs, 3.42 for 13- to 17-week-old dogs and 3.92 for weanling rats. Subsequent experiments examined the utilization of casein, soy isolate and wheat gluten by immature dogs and weanling rats. When diets contained 10% protein the adjusted PERs of casein, soy and wheat gluten were 2.50, 1.26 and -0.43 for the dog and 2.50, 1.60 and 0.34 for the rat, respectively. At 7.5% protein the adjusted PERs of casein, soy and wheat gluten were 2.50, 1.19 and -3.21 for the dog and 2.50, 1.44 and 0.29 for the rat. Thus, the rat can be a useful model for examining the quality of proteins fed to dogs. However, by using the rat one may overestimate the value of some low quality proteins.

The effects of dietary arginine deficiency on sexual maturation were examined in the female rat. Consumption of a diet devoid of arginine since weaning delayed the onset of puberty. Weight at vaginal opening and weight at first estrus were significantly greater in the arginine-deficient rat than in the control rat. Arginine deficiency appeared to have a specific effect on the development of reproductive function since puberty in arginine-deficient animals was delayed more than could be accounted for by impairment of growth. The specific effect of arginine deficiency was also indicated by reduced weights of the reproductive tissues after 15 weeks of experimental feeding when compared with the growth-matched controls. Sexual maturation was also examined in rats fed diets containing graded levels of arginine (1.12, 0.84, 0.56, 0.28 or 0%). Vaginal opening and first estrus were delayed by feeding diets containing 0.28 or 0% arginine. Uncoupling of these two events also occurred in the majority of the rats fed these two diets. In spite of normal timing of puberty, maturing rats fed a diet with 0.56 of 0.84% arginine had reduced ovarian weight and first ovulation rate when compared with rats fed the control diet (1.12% arginine). It is concluded that more than 0.84% dietary arginine was required for growing rats to support normal sexual maturation.

Three experiments were conducted with growing beagle dogs fed crystalline L-amino acid diets, to determine the requirement for each of the branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine. Requirements were taken as the minimum dietary concentrations required for optimal growth, feed efficiency and nitrogen retention. For each amino acid, the requirements estimated from each of these criteria were similar. Ten- to 12-week-old male beagle dogs were found to require 0.65% leucine, 0.40% isoleucine and 0.43% valine. These values correspond to 159 mg leucine, 98 mg isoleucine and 105 mg valine per 100 kcal dietary metabolizable energy. These branched-chain amino acid requirements of the growing dog are lower than those of weanling rats or pigs.

There studies examined the effect of dietary arginine deficiency in the mature dog. Deletion of arginine from the diet resulted in a slight but significant loss of body weight. Severe episodes of emesis were observed in all experiments. Muscle tremors and frothing around the mouth were also observed in the experiments where the arginine-free diet was force fed. Increasing the amount of diet force-fed to mature dogs accentuated the symptoms of emesis, muscle tremors and frothing. Elevated plasma ammonia and orotate were detected in dogs fed an arginine-deficient diet. Urinary citric and orotic acid was also increased in mature dogs fed a diet devoid of arginine. Nitrogen balance was not significantly altered by deletion of arginine from the diet. Based on the occurrence of emesis, loss of body weight and alterations in intermediary metabolism, we concluded that the mature dog does require a dietary source of arginine. Dietary inclusions of 0.28% arginine prevented the symptoms of arginine deficiency.

Sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) was administered at 2.0 micrograms selenium (Se) to Swiss ICR mice six times over a 9-day period by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection or by gastric gavage. Survival time was significantly increased in Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT)-bearing mice by 170 and 20%, respectively, compared to controls. In two separate studies, 5.0 micrograms Se as Na2SeO3 or selenodiglutathione (GSSeSG) administered i.p. was more effective in inhibiting EAT propagation in mice than either untreated (control) mice or mice receiving sodium selenide, dimethyl selenide [(CH3)2Se] or seleno-DL-cystine. In another study, EAT cells were preincubated with either 1 or 3 ppm Se as GSSeSG, Na2SeO3, or (CH3)2Se, washed, and reinoculated into mice. Only in mice inoculated with cells pretreated with GSSeSG was a significant increase in survival observed. The observed tumor inhibition was not limited to ascitic tumors since growth of solid Ehrlich tumors was also significantly inhibited by i.p. treatment of Na2SeO3. Following i.p. administration of Na2(75)SeO3, the solid tumors retained more selenium-75 than did blood, lung, kidney, or liver. Supplementation of a torula yeast diet with 2.5 or 5.0 ppm Se as Na2SeO3 also significantly increased the survival time of EAT-bearing mice. These data show that the form and mode of administration of selenium influence the antitumorigenic properties of this trace element. In addition, the data suggest that some intermediate in the normal pathway for selenium detoxification is probably responsible for this trace element's antitumorigenic properties.

The effects of supplementing a 14% casein diet with 5% L-arginine on rat mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) were investigated. Dietary arginine supplementation had no significant effect on food intake or growth. In rats treated with either DMBA or MNU, tumor incidence was not significantly affected, but the number of new tumors appearing each week and the cumulative tumor weight per rat were significantly decreased in rats fed 5% arginine diets. In vitro experiments indicated that arginine had no effect on the enzymatic conversion of DMBA to electrophilic DNA-binding metabolites. The decreased tumorigenicity of both MNU and DMBA in rats given supplemental arginine suggests that this amino acid has an inhibitory effect on stage(s) of chemical carcinogenesis other than bioactivation of procarcinogens.

The threonine, tryptophan and histidine requirements of growing male Beagle dogs were determined using diets containing the equivalent of 14% protein as crystalline L-amino acids. For each amino acid the requirement was taken to be the minimum dietary quantity required for optimal growth, feed efficiency and nitrogen retention. In experiment 1 the threonine requirement was found to be provided by 0.52% or more dietary threonine. In experiments 2 and 3 the minimal dietary tryptophan and histidine requirements of immature dogs were estimated as 0.17 and 0.21%, respectively. The requirements for threonine and tryptophan are similar to those for growing rats. However, the histidine requirement of Beagles appears to be lower than that of rats.

Dietary arginine deficiency in rats causes significant increases in urinary excretion of urea, citric acid and orotic acid independently of feed intake. Urea excretion during arginine deficiency depends upon the diet, sex, age, and species. Thus urea excretion has limitations as an indicator of arginine availability. Although elevated urinary citric acid during arginine deficiency is more consistently observed, it may be influenced by citric acid in natural dietary ingredients. Orotic acid excretion, however, appears to be a reliable indicator of available dietary arginine based upon studies in rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs.

Selenium, administered to mice with Ehrlich ascites tumors, effectively limited tumor growth. The response was dependent on the chemical form and dose of selenium administered. At the doses administered, there were no detectable adverse effects to the host.

A completely purified L-amino acid diet was used to determine the indispensability of leucine, lysine, valine, phenylalanine and arginine in the immature dog. An additional study showed that asparagine, alanine, aspartic acid, cystine, glutamic acid, proline, tyrosine, serine and glycine can be classified as dispensable amino acids for the immature dog. Deletion of these indispensable amino acids resulted in a marked negative nitrogen balance. Increased plasma and urinary urea were also observed when a dietary indispensable amino acid imbalance occurred. Estimates are made for the dietary requirements for leucine, lysine, valine and phenylalanine in the immature dog.

Administration of individual amino acids is known to induce an orotic aciduria. The present studies show that the induction of orotic aciduria by glycine is highly influenced by stage of digestion of the test animal and the nitrogen content of the test diet. Short term fasting for 24 hours prevented glycine induced orotic aciduria. However, longer term fasting for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days resulted in a return in the ability of glycine to stimulate pyrimidine biosynthesis. The maximum induced orotic aciduria occurred after 3 days of fasting. The ability of glycine to induce orotic aciduria in the fed rat was also dependent on the dietary protein content. Glycine injections were unable to elicit an orotic aciduria in rats fed a protein-free diet. Addition of increasing quantities of nitrogen to the basal diet resulted in a proportional increase in glycine induced orotic aciduria.

Se is effective in inhibiting both virally induced and transplantable tumors. Continued intake of Se at quantities greater than those required to optimize growth and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activities appear to be needed to achieve maximal tumor inhibition. Differences in the sensitivity to Se of various tumor cell lines are evident. The efficacy of Se depends on the form and mode of administration of this trace element. Total tumor mass also appears to affect the efficacy of Se. Evidence now suggests that selenodiglutathione or some other intermediate in Se metabolism is responsible for the antitumorigenic properties of this trace element.

Hepatic steatosis resulting from the consumption of an arginine-deficient diet in the rat was found to occur independent of age or size. The rate of lipid biosynthesis as indicated by in vitro incorporation of 14C-acetate was significantly increased in rats fed an arginine-deficient diet when expressed per milligram liver. Supplementation of the arginine-deficient diet with 1% ribose, 1% hypoxanthine or 0.2% adenine depressed the fatty infiltration caused by arginine deficiency. Inosine, xanthine or uracil supplementation did not significantly alter the fatty infiltration, liver orotic acid biosynthesis or urinary orotic excretion induced by the arginine deficiency. Increased orotic acid excretion was also observed in the mouse, hamster and rabbit fed a diet devoid of arginine. However, consumption of the, arginine-deficient diet for 21 days did not significantly alter the liver lipid content of mice, hamsters or rabbits. Although the fatty infiltration appears to be limited to the rat, altered liver nucleotides were observed in rats, hamsters and rabbits fed an arginine-deficient diet. Similarities of arginine deficiency and orotic acid feeding in various species are discussed.

Arginine deficiency is associated with a marked increase in liver lipids in the rat. Triglyceride accumulation accounts for most of the fatty infiltration. Cholesterol concentration per gram of liver increased approximately 280% above control rats receiving dietary arginine. The percentage of phospholipids was significantly decreased in the arginine-deficient rat liver compared to controls. The fatty acid composition revealed a significant reduction in the reduction in the percentage of palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, and linoleic acids. However, both stearic and arachidonic acids were increased approximately 250 and 160%, respectively, in arginine-deficient livers compared to controls. Arginine deficiency in the rat causes a marked alteration in lipid metabolism similar to that observed with orotic acid feeding. The similarities or arginine deficiency and orotic acid feeding are discussed.

The viability of human breast cancer cells (cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231) was inhibited in vitro in a dose-dependent manner by selenium supplementation. However, a normal diploid human cell line (MRC-5) was relatively resistant to selenium supplementation. The presence of selenium as Na2SeO3 at 1.1 X 10(-6) M reduced cancer cell viability by approximately 50%, whereas non-cancerous cells were not affected. Parenteral administration of sodium selenite also significantly inhibited the growth of the cancerous cell lines transplanted into nude mice. Selenium administration at 0.8 micrograms/g body wt resulted in an 80-93% reduction in the rate of tumor growth without apparent ill effects on the host.

Dietary arginine deficiency is associated with retarded growth and depressed feed intake. Nucleic acid biosynthesis as indicated by the incorporation of [6-14C]-orotic acid and [32P]-orthophosphate was significantly depressed in rats fed an arginine deficient diet. The activities of the pyrimidine enzymes, aspartate transcarbamylase (ATC) and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) were significantly increased in rats fed an arginine deficient diet. ATC and DHODH activities in rats fed the arginine deficient diet returned to control activities after 3 wk of feeding. Orotidine 5' phosphate decarboxylase and orotate phosphoribosyl transferase activities were not affected by dietary arginine availability. In the rat fed an arginine deficient diet there was an increase in total liver pyrimidine nucleotides and a decrease in the total purine nucleotides. Significant alterations in the individual liver nucleotides were also observed. Incubation of various tissues obtained from rats fed an arginine deficient diet or a complete diet with glutamine (5mM) revealed that the liver is the major site of orotic acid synthesis. Orotic acid production in liver slices using glutamine as the nitrogen source was significantly greater in rats fed an arginine deficient diet compared to controls. The orotic aciduria occurring in rats fed an arginine deficient diet is associated with increased synthesis and decreased utilization of pyrimidines.

The significance of dietary arginine deficiency is often unrecognized since growth and nitrogen balance are generally positive. However, inadequate intakes of dietary arginine are typically associated with dramatic alterations in intermediary metabolism in mammals. Most of the symptoms that develop following arginine deprivation can largely be accounted for by a decreased efficiency of ammonia detoxification. However, species differences in the metabolic aberrations associated with arginine deficiency are clearly evident. Therefore, selected animals fed an arginine-deficient diet may serve as a useful model for the study of chronic hyperammonemia. In rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits, the excretion of citric and orotic acid is a sensitive indicator of arginine availability. Increased orotic acid production is reduced or prevented by inclusion of the urea cycle intermediates arginine, citrulline or ornithine. However, growth in the rat is stimulated only when arginine or citrulline are included in the diet. Increased orotic biosynthesis is observed with increasing ammonia concentrations in rat, mouse and human liver and is reduced by in vitro arginine supplementation. The fatty infiltration of the rat fed an arginine-deficient diet is associated with changes in the ratio of purine to pyrimidine bases and is corrected by the dietary addition of adenine. The arginine-deficient rat should serve as a model for examining the dynamic interrelationship of the urea cycle with pyrimidine and purine biosynthesis.

The effect of differences in level of dietary selenium on the induction of esophageal and bladder tumors in rats by two nitrosamines was investigated. Groups of 20 female F344 rats were given a synthetic diet containing less than 0.05 ppm Se to which selenium (as sodium selenite) was added at the concentration of 0.35, 0.7, 1.4 and 2.1 ppm selenium. These four groups, plus one without added Se, were treated with 20 ml per rat per day, 5 days a week, of a solution of nitrosomethylcyclohexylamine containing 5 mg/liter. A parallel five groups were treated in the same way with a solution of nitrosomethyl-3-carboxypropylamine in drinking water containing 600 mg per liter, as drinking water. Treatment lasted 28 weeks, at which time some animals had developed tumors. A group of 20 rats fed 0, 1.4 and 2.1 ppm Se was not treated with carcinogen. Rats consuming 1.4 ppm or 2.1 ppm Se gained weight more slowly than other groups. There was no significant difference in survival between the five groups treated with each carcinogen but receiving different dietary levels of selenium. Neither was there any significant difference between groups receiving each carcinogen in the incidence of tumors of the esophagus induced by nitrosomethylcyclohexylamine or of tumors of the urinary bladder induced by nitrosomethylcarboxypropylamine. Control rats on the synthetic diets did not survive as well as untreated rats eating regular chow diet. In these conditions there was no effect of dietary selenium levels on the induction of tumors in female rats by the two carcinogenic nitrosamines we used.

Selenium has been shown to inhibit L1210 cells both in vitro and in vivo. The death of L1210 cells in vitro as indicated by trypan blue exclusion was dependent upon the form and concentration of selenium tested. Incubation of L1210 cells in buffer containing selenium at 1 microgram/ml for 1 hr prior to inoculation into mice significantly retarded the ability of the cells to propagate in vivo. Sodium selenite injected i.p. increased the longevity of mice inoculated with L1210 cells. Administration of 40 microgram selenium as sodium selenite daily for 7 days resulted in a 65% increase in longevity of mice inoculated with 10(5) L1210 cells. Injections of sodium selenite at doses of 40 microgram/day or less for 7 days did not significantly alter growth, liver weight, or red and white blood cell counts. The efficacy of selenium therapy was dependent upon the total number of tumor cells given in the initial inoculum. Selenium administration as sodium selenite was shown to be more effective in increasing the longevity of L1210-inoculated mice than was treatment with sodium selenate, selenocystine, or selenomethionine. Sodium selenite treatment at 20, 30, or 40 microgram/day in mice inoculated with 10(2) cells resulted in 50, 80, and 90% cures, respectively. Supplementation of the drinking water with 3 ppm selenium as sodium selenite increased the longevity of L1210-inoculated mice by approximately 30%. Combined therapy with selenium (30 microgram/day) and methotrexate resulted in a significantly longer life span of L1210-treated mice than resulted from either compound administered separately.