Carcinogenicity and nephrotoxicity of 2-amino-, 1-amino- 2-methyl-, and 2-methyl-1-nitro-anthraquinone

2-Aminoanthraquinone (AA), l-amino-2-methylanthraquinone (l-Am-2-MeA), and 2-methyl-l-nitroanthraquinone (2-Me-1-Na) were tested for carcinogenicity in Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F₁ mice. In rats, all the 3 chemicals increased the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms. Renal neoplasms were increased with 1-Am-2-MeA, and 2-Me-1-NA increased the incidence of subcutaneous fibromas in a dose-related manner. In mice, incidences of hepatocellular carcinomas were increased with feeding of AA, and 2-Me-l-NA increased the incidence of subcutaneous hemangiosarcomas. 1-Am-2-MeA did not appear to be carcinogenic in the mouse. Nephrotoxicity was associated with feeding of AA to female rats and 1-Am-2-MeA to mice.