Carcinogenicity of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in colorectal tissue heterotopically transplanted into the glandular stomach of rats.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of the intestinal carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) on grafted colorectal mucosa implanted into the glandular stomach of rats. Four groups were studied: Group 1 received the operation and DMH, Group 2 received the operation alone, Group 3 received DMH alone and Group 4 (controls) received only a sham operation. For Groups 1 and 2, about 8-mm diameter segments of colorectal tissue obtained from various sites in the large intestine of 8-week-old male F344 rats were isologously implanted into the fundic region of the stomachs of age-matched rats. DMH was injected at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight i.m. per week for 20 weeks beginning 4 weeks after the operation. The animals were then observed for 8 months after the initial DMH treatment. In Group 1, adenocarcinomas developed in 41 of 60 successful implants (68%). Furthermore, poorly differentiated type tumors were observed in the grafts obtained from the rectum. This finding was contrary to that for intrinsic rectal tumors, all of which were well differentiated. The histochemical staining of mucin in the tissues from different sites of the large intestine revealed that sulfomucin, which normally exists essentially only in the intrinsic descending colon or rectum, was present in the grafts from the proximal ascending or ascending colon. No gastric tumors were observed in the control rats, which received either DMH or sham operations alone. Tumors in the intrinsic large intestine were observed only in rats that received DMH. These results indicate that colorectal mucosa implanted into the glandular stomach, like the intrinsic large intestine, is still sensitive to tumorigenesis caused by DMH.     

Gastric Tumor Induction by 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine in Wistar Rats with Intestinal Metaplasia Caused by X-Irradiation

Five-week-old male Wistar rats were X-irradiated with a total of 20 Gy in 2 equal fractions at a 3-day interval. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) solution was injected i.m. into the back musculature at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight weekly for 10 weeks, beginning 20 weeks after the final irradiation. Twelve months after the initial carcinogen treatment, tumors in the fundus of the glandular stomach were observed in 5 of 23 animals receiving both X-irradiation and DMH treatment. No tumors of the glandular stomach were observed in the DMH and X-ray alone or nontreatment groups. It is concluded that the presence of intestinal metaplasia may increase sensitivity to the induction of gastric tumors by carcinogens like DMH.     

Gastric tumor induction by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in Wistar rats with intestinal metaplasia caused by X-irradiation.

Five-week-old male Wistar rats were X-irradiated with a total of 20 Gy in 2 equal fractions at a 3-day interval. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) solution was injected i.m. into the back musculature at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight weekly for 10 weeks, beginning 20 weeks after the final irradiation. Twelve months after the initial carcinogen treatment, tumors in the fundus of the glandular stomach were observed in 5 of 23 animals receiving both X-irradiation and DMH treatment. No tumors of the glandular stomach were observed in the DMH and X-ray alone or nontreatment groups. It is concluded that the presence of intestinal metaplasia may increase sensitivity to the induction of gastric tumors by carcinogens like DMH.     

Effect of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate feeding on rat colorectal 1,2-dimethylhydrazine carcinogenesis

The 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) rodent model for colorectal carcinogenesis was used to explore the effect of dietary dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) on carcinogenesis. Inbred male F344 rats were divided into two groups of 84 each and fed the following diets: ground chow and 5% corn oil (control group) and ground chow, 5% corn oil, and 1% DSS (experimental group). All rats received high-dose DMH base, 20 mg/kg/week sc for 20 weeks. Twenty rats per group were killed after 3, 4, 5, and 6 months. Duodenum, small intestine, colon, and rectum were dissected out. Each tumor was measured for size and location and evaluated histologically. The percentage of rats bearing tumors in the control and experimental groups did not differ significantly. In each rat there were fewer gastrointestinal tumors in the DSS-fed group of all histologic types combined, at all organ sites, at 5 and 6 months. This difference between the control and DSS-fed rats reached the level of statistical significance for tumors of the duodenum, colon, and rectum and for total gastrointestinal tumors at the 5th month.     

Comparative study of the morphologic, histochemical, and proliferative changes induced in the large intestine of ICR/Ha and C57BL/Ha mice by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

The mouse model of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis was studied to determine the susceptibility of different anatomic segments of the large intestine in ICR/Ha (susceptible) and C57BL/Ha (resistant) mice. In ICR/Ha mice numerous exophytic macroscopic neoplasms were found in the distal colon and rectum after 15 weekly injections of DMH (20 mg/kg). The proximal colon was free of any microscopic or macroscopic neoplasms. In contrast, C57BL/Ha mice given the same treatment showed no macroscopic neoplasms. However, foci of dysplastic crypts were observed throughout the large intestine of C57BL/Ha mice with highest incidence in the distal colon and rectum. In some areas dysplastic crypts were clearly invading the muscularis mucosae and were, therefore, microscopic carcinomas (microcarcinomas). Thus C57BL/Ha mice were not totally resistant to the neoplastic stimulus of DMH, and the susceptibility of the large intestine is site-specific in both mouse strains.     

Induction of cancer of the glandular stomach in rats by an extract of nitrite-treated fish

Treatment of a homogenate of the mackerel fish Sanma hirakl with nitrite at pH 3 led to the development of direct-acting mutagenic activity for Salmonella typhlmurium TA-1535. Repeated gastric intubation three times/week for 6 months of an extract containing this mutagenic activity into noninbred Wistar rats led to the induction of tumors in 8 of 12 rats 12-18 months later. Adenomas and adenocarcinomas were found in the glandular stomach, squamous cell carcinoma was observed in the forestomach, and adenocarcinoma was found in the small intestine and pancreas. Furthermore, precancerous lesions (including intestinal metaplasia and glandular hyperplasia of the glandular stomach as well as squamous cell hyperplasia) were noted in virtually all of the animals at risk. No tumors were seen in 8 control rats given the untreated fish extract alone; 1 rat had glandular hyperplasia and intestinal metaplasia. Thus a mutagenic extract of nitrite-treated fish was demonstrated to induce, in the rat glandular stomach, cancers identical to gastric cancer observed in man. Preventive m:asures, including reduction of the intake of pickled foods and the year-round daily availability of foods containing vitamin C, are discussed.     

Inhibitory effect of synthetic interferon inductor Cycloferone on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats

The effect of a synthetic interferon inductor Cycloferone on colon carcinogenesis was firstly studied in rats. Seventy-five 2-month-old outbred female LIO rats were subdivided into three groups and were weekly exposed to 15 s.c. injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg body wt. From the day of the fist injection of DMH rats from group 2 were given weekly i.p. injections of Cycloferone (62.5 mg/kg) until the end of the experiment. DMH-treated rats (group 3) were exposed to weekly i.p. injections of Cycloferone (62.5 mg/kg) starting in the week after the last injection of the carcinogen. Rats from group 1 were exposed to DMH and treated weekly with 0.2 ml i.p. of normal saline. Additional groups of rats were treated weekly with Cycloferone (62.5 mg/kg) or with 0.2 ml of saline. The experiment was ended 6 months after the first injection of DMH. In DMH-treated rats (groups 1, 2 and 3) colon adenocarcinomas developed in 87, 61 and 59%, respectively. The number of colon tumors per tumor-bearing rat was 2.5, 1.9 and 1.3 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Treatment with Cycloferone significantly inhibits carcinogenesis in ascending and descending colon. The incidence of tumors of the rectum was decreased in the group 2 as compared with the group 1. There were no cases of tumors of rectum in rats from group 3. The treatment with Cycloferone alone as well as with normal saline failed to induce any tumors in rats. Thus, our results demonstrated inhibitory effect of Cycloferone on colon carcinogenesis induced by DMH in rats.     

Effects of Sodium Chloride and Ethanol on Stomach Tumorigenesis in ACI Rats Treated with N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine: A Quantitative Morphometric Approach

Effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) and ethanol on gastric tumor development in rats after treatment with N -methyl- N' -nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were studied. MNNG, dissolved in distilled water (5 g/liter), was administered orally once fay gastric tube at a dose of 0.25 ml/10 g body weight to 4-week-old ACI rats. After this carcinogen initiation, animals were fed on a diet containing 10% NaCl (Group 2) or normal diet with 10% ethanol in the drinking water (Group 4). MNNG alone (Group 1), NaCl alone (Group 3), ethanol alone (Group 5), and control (Group 6) animals were also maintained. All survivors were killed one year after the MNNG application. Incidences of tumors in the forestomach and glandular stomach were significantly increased in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 ( P <0.05). The height of the pyloric mucosa was significantly greater in Group 2 than in Groups 4, 5 or 6 ( P <0.05). In the fundic area, the mucosal height was significantly decreased in Group 4 as compared to Group 6 ( P < 0.05). The present results demonstrate that whereas tumors in the glandular stomach and forestomach are both promoted by NaCl, ethanol is without influence. Furthermore, NaCl, a promoter of glandular stomach tumorigenesis also increases cell proliferation.     

The effect of vagotomy and pyloroplasty on colorectal tumor induction in the rat.

Epidemiologic studies have suggested that vagotomy increases subsequent colorectal cancer risk. This hypothesis was investigated in the rat 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH) colorectal carcinogenesis model. Eighty-five rats were divided into four groups having either truncal vagotomy and Heineke-Mickulicz pyloroplasty, pyloroplasty alone, laparotomy alone, and anesthesia alone. After recovery from the procedures, colon tumors were induced with five injections of DMH. Results of carcinogenesis show a trend towards increased incidence and yield of colorectal and duodenal tumors after vagotomy, though this was not statistically significant, perhaps because the high postoperative mortality from vagotomy diminished the power of the study.     

Effects of NaCl, Tween 60 and a low dose of N-ethyl-N' -nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine on gastric carcinogenesis of rat given a single dose of N-methyl-N' -nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Effects of NaCI, Tween 60 and N-ethyl-N' -nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(ENNG) on gastric carcinogenesis were investigated in male Wistarrats. Animals received a single dose of N-methyl-N' -nitro-N-nitrosoguanidlne(MNNG) at 250 mg/ kg body weight by gastric tube followed oneweek later by either 10% NaCI in their diet, twice-weekly applicationsof 1 ml of saturated NaCI solution by gastric tube, 1.0% Tween60 in their drinking water or 0.0005% ENNG in their drinkingwater. One group of rats were given MNNG 24 h after a singleapplication of 1 ml of saturated NaCI solution to investigatethe effect of NaCI on initiation. A single dose of MNNG to ratsresulted in development of multiple epithelial tumors in theforestomach and no epithelial tumors in the glandular stomachafter 52 weeks. There were no differences in tumor incidencesof the forestomach and glandular stomach between experimentalgroups which were given a subsequent treatment with NaCI orTween 60 and the control group with MNNG alone. ENNG significantlyenhanced the tumor induction in the glandular stomach, whileENNG alone did not induce any tumors in the stomach. The NaCItreatment prior to MNNG administration also increased tumordevelopment in the glandular stomach but not in the forestomach.     

Gastric Tumorigenicity of 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine on the Background of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Induced by X-Irradiation in CD (SD) Rats

Five-week-old male CD (SD) rats were X-irradiated with a total of 20 Gy in 2 equal fractions with a 3-day interval. After the second irradiation, rats were fed normal diet supplemented with 1% sodium chloride, which is known to increase intestinal metaplasia. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) solution was injected i.m. into the back musculature at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight weekly for 10 weeks, beginning 20 weeks after the final irradiation. Twelve months after the initial carcinogen treatment, gastric tumors in the glandular stomach were observed in 2 (3 lesions) of 30 animals in the X-irradiated and DMH-treated group fed diet supplemented with 1% sodium chloride. No gastric tumors were observed in the group which excluded X-irradiation from the experimental protocol.     

Chlorophyllin, an antimutagen, acts as a tumor promoter in the rat-dimethylhydrazine colon carcinogenesis model.

Chlorophyllin (CHL), the water soluble sodium/copper salt of chlorophyll, was investigated for its effect on colorectal cancer risk in the rat-dimethyldrazine colon carcinogenesis model. Ninety weanling Fisher 344 male rats were treated with five weekly injections of 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH), 20 mg base/kg body weight. Rats had been previously divided into three groups, consuming either rat chow and water (Group I), rat chow and CHL 1.5 mM in water throughout the experiment (Group II), or water and rat chow during DMH injection, adding CHL 1.5 mM to the drinking water after completion of the DMH treatments. At sarcifice, the incidence and yield of colorectal tumors were as follows: Group I 10% and 0.1; Group II, 23% and 0.27; and Group III, 47% and 0.53 (p less than 0.005 for incidence and = 0.003 for yield). These data demonstrate that, though it is well established that CHL is an antimutagen, CHL in this colorectal carcinogenesis model acted as a tumor promoter.     

Effect of flurbiprofen and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 on gastrointestinal tumorigenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in rats: glandular epithelium of stomach and duodenum

The effect of an exogenous synthetic prostaglandin analogue, 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (16,16-dm-PGE2), as well as the effect of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis inhibition by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, flurbiprofen, on chemically induced gastric carcinogenesis has been investigated in rats. Carcinogenesis was induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG; CAS:70-25-7). Animals were divided into six groups: Group I, treatment with MNNG alone; Group II, treatment with 16,16-dm-PGE2 plus MNNG; Group III, treatment with flurbiprofen plus MNNG; Group IV, treatment with 16,16-dm-PGE2 alone; Group V, treatment with flurbiprofen alone; and Group VI, controls. Treatment with high doses of MNNG resulted in rapid development of malignant tumors originating from the glandular epithelium of the stomach and duodenum in animals of all groups receiving the carcinogen. The first gastric adenocarcinoma infiltrating the muscularis proper was detected after 139 days in an animal treated with a combination of MNNG and flurbiprofen. The incidence of infiltrating adenocarcinoma and the incidence of all neoplastic lesions of the glandular stomach were both significantly higher in animals treated with a combination of MNNG and flurbiprofen compared with treatment by MNNG alone or in combination with 16,16-dm-PGE2 (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.001). The difference in tumor incidence between the last two groups was not significant. The first duodenal adenocarcinoma was detected on Day 114 in another animal of the group treated with MNNG plus flurbiprofen. When compared with the group treated with MNNG plus 16,16-dm-PGE2, significantly more animals developed duodenal adenocarcinoma when treated with MNNG plus flurbiprofen (P less than 0.005) or with MNNG alone (P less than 0.05). Results of this study indicate that inhibition of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis favors development of adenocarcinoma in the glandular stomach of rats. Vice versa, the addition of an exogenous prostaglandin analogue inhibits the development of duodenal adenocarcinoma. This protective effect of prostaglandins may be due to an increase of the thickness of the mucus gel covering the glandular epithelium, thereby preventing access of carcinogen to the mucosa.     

芥菜籽通过抗氧化和免疫偏移预防大肠肿瘤的实验研究

背景与目的：近年来有关十字花科植物预防肿瘤的研究,主要探讨其抗氧化、抗突变作用、调节免疫功能及诱导细胞凋亡等。芥菜籽(mustard seeds,MS)是十字花科植物的种子。本研究旨在探讨MS对1,2-二甲基肼(1,2-dimethylhydrazine,DMH)诱导的大鼠大肠肿瘤的抗氧化和免疫偏移作用机制。方法：将48只Wistar雄性大鼠随机均分为4组：DMH模型组(模型组)、DMH+5%MS干预组(5%MS干预组)、DMH+7.5%MS干预组(7.5%MS干预组)和正常对照组。模型组和MS干预组每周按30 mg/kg剂量给予DMH腹腔注射1次,连续20周,均于32周时处死大鼠观察大肠肿瘤发生率并HE染色确定肿瘤的组织分型,检测血清脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)水平、抗氧化酶活力、Th1和Th2亚群细胞因子含量。结果：正常对照组大鼠无肿瘤发生。模型组总成瘤率为100%,5%MS干预组和7.5%MS干预组总成瘤率分别降低33.3%和58.3%(P<0.05)。DMH诱导大鼠形成肿瘤的过程中,模型组MDA水平和Th2亚群细胞因子含量均显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05);而抗氧化酶活力明显低于正常对照组(P<0.05)。经MS干预后MDA呈显著下降趋势(P<0.05),而抗氧化酶活力和Th1亚群细胞因子含量均呈显著升高趋势(P<0.05)。结论：芥菜籽显著降低DMH化学诱导的大鼠大肠肿瘤的发生,作用机制可能与其抗氧化作用和免疫平衡偏移有关。     

丁酸钠抑制二甲基肼诱发小鼠大肠癌的实验研究

背景与目的:体外研究证实丁酸钠能促进多种肿瘤细胞分化,抑制细胞生长,诱导细胞凋亡。本研究给予小鼠直肠内灌注丁酸钠,旨在观察丁酸钠对二甲基肼(dimethylhydrazine,DMH)诱发的昆明种小鼠大肠癌的预防作用。方法:选择昆明种小鼠为实验对象,模型组以DMH30mg/kg,皮下注射,每周一次,连续给药11周。实验组分别以1.25×10-3mol/kg、2.5×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠溶液,直肠灌注,每天一次,连续24周。分别于给药后第12周、18周和24周分3个阶段处死小鼠。观察肿瘤的发生率,以及2.5×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠灌肠组小鼠的一般状态、体重增长、肝肾功能、以及肝、肾、肺、胰腺等病理变化。结果:实验12周各组小鼠未见肿瘤发生;18周时,模型组小鼠肿瘤发生率为58.3%(7/12),1.25×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠组肿瘤发生率为25.0%(3/12),2.5×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠组肿瘤发生率为0(0/12),各组相比差异有显著性(P<0.01);实验24周结果,模型组小鼠肿瘤发生率为95.0%(19/20),1.25×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠组肿瘤发生率45.0%(9/20),2.5×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠组肿瘤发生率为15.0%(3/20),各组间有显著性差异(P<0.01)。单纯2.5×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠灌肠组和生理盐水对照组均未发现肿瘤。单纯2.5×10-3mol/kg丁酸钠灌肠组小鼠一般状态良好,体重增长及肝、肾功能均与生理盐水灌肠组无显著性差异(P>0.05),肝脏、肾脏、胰腺等重要脏器未见病理性改变。结论:丁酸钠能够抑制DMH诱发的实验性小鼠大肠癌的发生和发展,并且无明显毒副作用发生。     

Grafting of stomach tissue into the duodenum in F344 rats results in chimeric crypts and tumor development

Gastric tissue was transplanted from the fundic and pyloric mucosa of 8-week old female F344 rats into the duodenum of males. Autopsy, 12 months after the operation, revealed grafts associated with persistent stones in the duodenum and/or calcification in the tissue. Pepsinogen positive chimeric glands with goblet cells also appeared in the grafts which gave rise to tumors in 18 out of 45 animals (40%). In conclusion, stomach grafts re-differentiate into intestine with goblet cells in the duodenum and this process predisposes to tumor development.     

The effects of chronic ethanol administration on polyamine content during dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in the rat

Chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption has been implicated as aco-carcinogen, selectively promoting rectal tumor formation.We studied the effects of EtOH consumption on tumor formationand polyamine content (putrescine, spermidine and spermine)in proximal and distal colon and rectum of Sprague-Dawley ratstreated with the procarcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH).Sixty-four adult male rats were pair fed nutritionally completeliquid diets with 36% of calories supplied as EtOH or isocaloriccarbohydrates. Both groups received 4 weeks of the liquid dietfollowed by 4 weeks of standard laboratory chow during which50% of the rats in each group received DMH (30 mg/kg) or vehicles.c. weekly. This cycle was repeated four times (32 weeks).Animals were sacrificed at the end of each 8 week cycle andnormal appearing and available tumor bearing tissue from proximaland distal colon and rectum was obtained for polyamine contentand histology. Five animals, unexposed to DMH or EtOH servedas baseline controls. There were no consistent regional differencesin putrescine, spermidine or spermine of baseline controls.A progressive decrease in tissue putrescine was seen in allthree regions of the control group and was significant at 24and 32 weeks versus baseline controls. In all three regions,chronic EtOH consumption prevented the decrease in tissue putrescine.Spermidine content was also significantly increased in the distalcolon of EtOH-treated animals compared to baseline values. Consistentchanges in spermine content were seen in any treatment groupor region. A significant increase in putrescine content of normalappearing and tumor-bearing tissue of DMH treated animals at32 weeks was noted. Chronic EtOH administration did not augmentrectal or colonic polyamine content in DMH-treated animals.Likewise, chronic EtOH consumption did not alter the number,size or distribution of large bowel tumors of DMH treated animals.     

Colon tissue implanted into the glandular stomach in rats lack susceptibility to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) carcinogenesis

The present study was undertaken to determine the response of colon mucosa implanted into the fundus of stomach in 6-week old male F344 rats to oral administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Samples of colonic tissue about 8 mm in diameter were obtained from various colon sites and surgically implanted into the anterior wall of the fundus by isografting. MNNG was chronically administered at a concentration of 100 mg/l in the drinking water for 16 weeks starting 4 weeks after the operation and the grafted colon mucosa was examined at 12 months after the operation. Control rats received a sham-operation and the same amount of MNNG. In the MNNG administered groups, only one adenoma containing Paneth cells was noted in the implanted colon tissue whereas over 40% incidence of gastric tumors was observed in the pyloric mucosa. In the operated rats not given MNNG no gastric tumors were observed in either the grafted site or the pylorus.     

Sulfasalazine alters the character of dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal carcinoma in rats

The etiologic variables involved in the increased incidence of colorectal carcinoma in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis have not been defined. Sulfasalazine is the most commonly used medication in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. It is not known whether the pharmacologic treatment of ulcerative colitis alters the incidence of cancer in man, but a drug related to sulfasalazine has been shown to reduce the incidence of colorectal carcinoma in rats. In this study we examined the effect of sulfasalazine on the development of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced (DMH) colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. Daily oral ingestion of sulfasalazine in doses equivalent to human daily doses resulted in serum salicylate levels in those animals that were comparable to human therapeutic serum salicylate levels. Sulfasalazine administration did not significantly effect the incidence of DMH-induced colorectal tumors. However, sulfasalazine treated animals were found to have significantly smaller tumors and to show a trend towards multiple, flat, sessile, frequently microinvasive tumors compared to the fewer, larger, exophytic tumors observed in animals treated only with DMH. These results demonstrate that in the doses given, sulfasalazine treatment alters the character of DMH-induced colorectal tumors without significantly effecting tumor incidence.     

Promotion by histamine of carcinogenesis in the forestomach and protection by histamine against carcinogenesis induced by N-nitroso-N-methylnitroguanidine in the glandular stomach in W rats

The effect of histamine on induction of tumors in the forestomach and the glandular stomach after N-nitroso-N-methylnitroguanidine (MNNG) administration was studied in male inbred W rats. Animals were given 50 micrograms MNNG solution/ml orally for 25 weeks and then 4 mg histamine dihydrochloride sc per day in depot form. Administration of histamine in depot form after MNNG significantly increased the incidence of tumors in the forestomach, but it significantly decreased the incidence of adenocarcinomas in the glandular stomach. All of the tumors induced in the forestomach were of the squamous cell type, and 50% of them were squamous cell carcinomas. Histamine alone had no apparent carcinogenicity in rats.