Stimulation of DNA Synthesis in Mouse Lung Following Intraperitoneal Injection of Butylated Hydroxytoluene

Abstract

Male Swiss-Webster mice were injected ip with 400 mg/kg of the antioxidant buty-lated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Between 2 and 5 days after BHT, there was a marked increase in the incorporation of thymidine into pulmonary DNA; 7 and 9 days after BHT, incorporation of thymidine fell towards values found in control animals. The increased incorporation of thymidine was accompanied by a net and significant increase in total lung weight and a persistent elevation of total lung DNA. Butylated hydroxytoluene did not stimulate DNA synthesis in liver, kidney, spleen, or gastrointestinal tract. Butylated hydroxytoluene could be used as a tool to study the biochemical events leading to or accompanying stimulated DNA synthesis and cell growth in lung.