INHIBITION OF AFLATOXIN B-1-NITROSODIETHYLAMINE-INDUCED AND N-NITROSODIETHYLAMINE-INDUCED LIVER PRENEOPLASTIC FOCI IN RATS FED NATURALLY-OCCURRING ALLYL SULFIDES

The anti-initiating properties of allyl sulfides on rat liver carcinog enesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) or aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1 )) were evaluated by using a three-step medium-term hepatocarcinogenes is assay. Diallyl sulfide (DAS) or diallyl disulfide (DADS) was added to the diet of rats (2 g/kg) for three weeks, during which NDEA or AFB (1) was administered by intraperitoneal injection. The rats were submi tted later to eight days of 2-acetylaminofluorene administration and t o two-thirds hepatectomy, then to phenobarbital administration. After eight weeks, liver preneoplastic foci expressing the placental form of glutathione S-transferase were detected. The results show that DAS an d DADS strongly reduced the number and the size of preneoplastic foci initiated by NDEA and AFB(1), but especially by AFB(1); DADS is more e fficient than DAS. Most likely, the inhibition of the first step of he patocarcinogenesis by allyl sulfides is related to the modulating effe cts that these compounds exert on the enzymes involved in activation a nd/or detoxication of the carcinogens. Our study demonstrated the chem opreventive potencies of dietary allyl sulfides in liver carcinogenesi s induced by two potent hepatic carcinogens.