Alteration of tumor response in rat liver by carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract

From the response of Sprague-Dawley rats to ( a ) aminopyrine, sodium nitrite, and CCl4; ( b ) aminopyrine and sodium nitrite only; or ( c ) dimethylnitrosamine only, it was determined that the combination of aminopyrine, sodium nitrite, and CCl4 is highly hepatotoxic and cirrhogenous and that this combination of chemicals induces hepatocellular tumors. Of 18 animals given these 3 compounds, 6 developed hepatocellular tumors, 9 developed hemangioendothelial sarcomas (Kupffer cell sarcomas) of the liver, and all developed severe postnecrotic cirrhosis. All animals that received aminopyrine and nitrite or dimethylnitrosamine without CCl4 developed only the vascular tumors of the liver. The absence of hepatocellular tumors after administration of dimethylnitrosamine differed from the response usually ascribed to this chemical. Gross and microscopic characteristics of hepatocellular and hemangioendothelial tumors were examined and compared.