Diverticulitis and neoplasia of the small intestine of rats fed 2-( p-dimethylaminostyryl)-1-methylquinolinium methyl sulfate

Abstract

Rats fed 800 mg/kg daily of 2-( p-dimethylaminostyryl)-1-methylquinolinium methyl sulfate for one year developed focal nodular and diverticular lesions of the upper small intestine, nodular hypertrophy of the liver, and mild nephropathy. While the intestinal nodular lesions were frequently neoplastic, death was usually due to local gangrene or secondary peritonitis, torsion, or intussusception. After one year, similar lesions were beginning to appear in rats fed 200 mg/kg of the compound, while none had occurred in rats fed 50 mg/kg. Dogs were fed 5, 20, or 80 mg/kg of the compound daily for one year but did not develop intestinal lesions or exhibit any other adverse effect. The intestinal changes in rats may represent a radiomimetic action of the compound.