Induction of preneoplastic altered hepatic foci following dietary sulphur supplementation

Sulphur is an essential micronutrient required by the body in low concentrations, but its high intake can lead to a serious health hazard. Sulphur compounds are reported to induce several toxic responses in animals, but so far no reports are available on the toxic effects of elemental sulphur, following dietary supplementation. The present investigation was carried out with the aim of providing an insight into the role of dietary supplementation of sulphur on the induction of altered hepatic foci (AHF) using medium term liver bioassay in Wistar rats. Induction of AHF are early neoplastic changes in rat liver in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-promoted hepatocarcinogenesis. The role of sulphur on induction of AHF was evaluated by the development of negative enzymatic foci for alkaline phosphatase (AlkPase), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and positive foci for marker enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), placental isozyme of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P). A significant dose-dependent decrease in the relative and absolute liver weight of sulphur-administered rats was recorded. Dietary supplementation of 2% and 4% sulphur significantly induces both negative and positive focal areas in terms of area and counts for AHF. However, 1% sulphur administration failed to induce AHF up to significant levels. The results thus revealed the possible tumorigenic risk associated with the high sulphur-containing diet.