EFFECTS OF DIET AND ETHANOL TREATMENT ON AZOXYMETHANE-INDUCED LIVER AND GASTROINTESTINAL NEOPLASIA OF MALE-RATS

Epidemiological and animal studies have shown that diet and excessive alcohol consumption are major risk factors for liver and gastrointesti nal cancers. This study investigated the effects of diet and alcohol c onsumption on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced liver and gastrointestinal ne oplasia in male rats. Rats were infused intragastrically with control or ethanol-containing diets. After 35 days of dietary acclimatization, all rats received two intragastric infusions of AOM (15 mg/kg) separa ted by 1 week and then were maintained on standard rat food for 26 wee ks. Results suggest that liver and duodenum are the major target organ s when AOM is given orally and ethanol pre-exposure potentiates the AO M-induced hepatic and duodenal dysplasia.