Effect of mild whole body hyperthermia on cytotoxic action of N-methyl-N '-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Swiss mice

Studies were carried out to ascertain the efficacy of mild whole body hyper thermia (WBH) as a modifier of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrusoguanidin (MNNG) c ytotoxicity in mice. Adult Swiss male mice, 6-8 weeks old. weighing about 2 5 g were exposed to mild WBH (39 degreesC, 1 h) in a precision temperature controlled environmental chamber maintained at 50-60% relative humidity. Tw enty-four hours after treatment, animals were administered with different d oses of MNNG either by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections or by feeding thro ugh drinking water and were monitored for survival. The studies revealed th at the exposure of animals to mild WBH, 24 prior to MNNG administration res ults in an increase in survival and recovery in mean body weight compared w ith those administered with MNNG only. This suggests that prior WBH treatme nt can effectively reduce the MNNG cytotoxicity in mice. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.