Influence of Diet on Chronic Oral Toxicity of Safrole and Butter Yellow in Rats.

Abstract

Chronic oral toxicity studies are generally conducted in dogs and rats according to methods described by Fitzhugh(1). Such methodology, while noting that dietary effects on the toxicity of chemicals represent a problem, does not prescribe the use of specific standardized diets. “Proved commercial diets” are usually employed and the composition of such diets varies considerably.In the case of a relatively weak hepatic carcinogen such as Safrole (2,3,4,5), dietary composition may have significant bearing on the outcome of experiments, and a study was therefore made to determine hepatotoxic effects of Safrole as well as those of a more potent hepatic carcinogen, butter yellow, in rats placed on diets containing 5, 10 and 30% protein. Fat content was varied to 5 and 15% in the case of the 30% diet. One group of rats was also fed a riboflavin-free 10% protein, 5% fat diet to compare the butter yellow-carcinogenesis-enhancing effect of this deficiency with its effect on Safrole carcinogenesis.Material, methods ...