Lack of modifying effects of prepubertal exposure to acrylamide (AA) on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced multi-organ carcinogenesis in F344 rats

Abstract

Acrylamide (AA) has been reported to be formed in fried and baked foods with various concentrations, and exposure levels to AA from cooked foods in children are estimated to be higher than those in adults. In order to evaluate the carcinogenicity of AA exposure during childhood, we conducted a medium-term carcinogenicity study with prepubertal administration of AA followed by treatments of a multi-organ-targeted genotoxic carcinogen and a promoting agent for thyroid carcinogenesis in rats. A total of 36 postpartum F344 rats were given drinking water containing AA at 0, 20, 40 or 80 ppm for 3 weeks during the lactation period, and their weaned offspring received the same AA-containing water for 3 more weeks. Offspring were then injected with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU; 40 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) once at week 7 after birth. Half the animals of the 0 and 40 ppm groups were additionally treated with the anti-thyroid agent sulfadimethoxine (SDM; 125 ppm) in the drinking water thereafter. Offspring were subjected to complete necropsy at week 50. All the major organs and macroscopic abnormalities were excised and examined histopathologically. There was no significant difference in the incidences of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions in the target organs of AA and/or MNU, such as the brain, spinal cord, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands, uterus, mammary glands, clitoral gland and tunica vaginalis. In conclusion, no significant modifying actions of AA on MNU-induced multi-organ carcinogenesis were exhibited in any organs of rats when exposed prepubertally under the present experimental conditions.