Influence of Dietary Retinyl Acetate on Normal Rat Mammary Gland Development and on the Enhancement of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[<italic>a</italic>]anthracene-Induced Rat Mammary Tumorigenesis by High Levels of Dietary Fat<xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2">2</xref>

Abstract

The effect of high levels of dietary fat and retinyl acetate (ROA) on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumor development and growth was examined. Female Sprague-Dawley rats, 51-53 days of age, were treated ig with 5 mg DMBA. At 55-57 days of age, the animals were divided into the following dietary treatment groups: A) 4.5% fat [control fat (CF)]; B) CF + 1.0 mmol ROA/kg diet (CF + ROA); C) 20.0% fat [high fat (HF)]; and D) HF + ROA. HF diets significantly increased mammary tumor multiplicity, with or without ROA, but did not significantly influence mammary tumor growth. ROA treatment reduced mammary tumor multiplicity regardless of the level of dietary fat and inhibited mammary tumor growth in the presence of normal levels of dietary fat. High levels of dietary fat did not significantly influence normal mammary gland growth and development. ROA significantly decreased normal mammary gland growth and development regardless of the level of dietary fat. Blood retinoids in rats fed ROA were primarily in the form of retinyl esters, i.e., retinyl linoleate, retinyl palmitate-oleate, and retinyl stearate. Free retinol levels in blood were not significantly influenced by ROA feeding. Blood retinyl ester levels were lower in rats fed the HF + ROA diet as compared to rats fed the CF + ROA diet.