URETHANE-INDUCED PULMONARY ADENOMA AND RAUSHERS-LEUKEMIA MODIFIED BY SODIUM-NITRITE IN MICE - A POSSIBLE ROLE FOR NITRIC-OXIDE AND NITRIC DIOXIDE

A long-term effect of sodium nitrite (SNI) on urethane-induced (total dose of 1.0 mg/g of body weight) pulmonary adenoma (F-1 (C57BI x CBA) and A/Snell mice) and Rausher's leukemia (Balb/c mice) was investigate d. When given in water (50 mg/l), SNI was shown to increase significan tly the rate of adenoma formation in the lung. Based on the investigat ion of NO2- conversion to NO, the suggestion has been made that free-r adical NO and NO2 compounds are involved in the SNI effect resulting i n the enhanced blastomogenesis. An antioxidant known as emoxipine (3-o xipiridine) provided evidence in support of the significant part playe d by free-radical compounds in the effect of SNI on blastomogenesis. T he role of NO and NO2 in intracellular processes was investigated in t he context of SNI-induced changes in blastomogenesis.