Effects of dosage and infusion time on the incorporation of 5‐fluorouracil into DNA and RNA of normal tissues and an adenocarcinoma transplanted to rat liver

Abstract

In a model of secondary liver cancer in Wistar rats the incorporation of 5-FUra into the acid soluble fraction, RNA, and DNA of several normal tissues and of an adenocarcinoma of the colon transplanted to the liver was determined; 300, 1,200 or 24,000 nmoles of 5-FUra were infused via the gastroduodenal artery for 0.5, 2, or 24 hr. The rats were killed 1.5, 3, or 24 hr after the beginning of the infusions. In general, higher doses resulted in a higher labelling. However, the ratio of incorporation into tumor RNA compared to normal tissue RNA was higher at the 1,200 than at the 24,000 nmole dosage. There was a decreased RNA/DNA ratio in the tumor at 24 hr after 24,000 nmoles of 5-FUra had been infused over 0.5 or 2 hr, indicating decreased synthesis and/or increased breakdown of RNA.