A DIET CONTAINING THE LECTIN PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ (PHA) SLOWS DOWN THE PROLIFERATION OF KREBS-II CELL TUMORS IN MICE

Mice injected intraperitoneally with Krebs II cells and then fed on a diet containing the lectin phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) developed ascites tumours more slowly than mice fed on a control diet. After an 8-day p eriod following injection the number of cells recovered from mice main tained on the PHA diet was half that from those fed the control diet. A switch of diet from control to PHA on day 4 after injection resulted in a large decrease in number of tumour cells recovered. Mice injecte d s.c. also developed tumours at later times when fed on the PHA diet. A quantitation of ribosomes in polysome-containing fractions showed n o major differences in protein synthesis in control mice and those fed the PHA diet.