Investigation of the tumorigenic response to benzo(a)pyrene in aqueous caffeine solution applied orally to Sprague-Dawley rats.

Abstract

In a lifetime experiment benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats either as an admixture to the diet or by gavage in an aqueous 1.5% caffeine solution. Dissolved benzo(a)pyrene induced more tumors of the forestomach than undissolved benzo(a)pyrene. The 1.5% caffeine solution (annual dose 27 g/kg) did not exert any carcinogenic activity under the conditions of this bioassay.