Piperonyl butoxide induces hepatocellular carcinoma in male CD-1 mice

Male CD-1 mice in groups of 52, 53 or 100 were administered piperonyl butoxide (α-2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-2-propyltoluene) in the diet at levels of 0 (control), 0.6 and 1.2% for 12 months. Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced in treated groups in a dose-dependent manner but not in the control group. The incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma were 11.3 and 52.0% in mice given 0.6 and 1.2% piperonyl butoxide, indicating that piperonyl butoxide can cause hepatocellular carcinoma in mice as it is known to do in rats. Received: 18 January 1994/Accepted: 8 March 1994