Inbred Wistar Rats Research Articles

Ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor attenuates NaCl enhancement of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

The effects of combined administration of NaCl and the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) on the incidence and number of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and on the ODC activity of the gastric wall and the labeling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats were given drinking water with or without 2.5 g/l DAP and chow pellets with and without 10% NaCl ad libitum after 25 weeks of oral administration of MNNG. At week 52 feeding 10% NaCl resulted in significant increases in the incidence of gastric cancers, in the ODC activity of the antral portion of the gastric wall and in the labeling index of antral epithelial cells. Administration of both NaCl and DAP significantly reduced the enhancements by NaCl of gastric carcinogenesis, ODC activity of the antral wall and the labeling index of antral epithelial cells. These results suggest that inhibition of ODC attenuates NaCl enhancement of gastric carcinogenesis and that enhancement by NaCl of gastric carcinogenesis is mediated by polyamine biosynthesis.

Increased numbers of substance P-containing sensory neurons in a rat strain with a genetic neurotrophic defect

The GH inbred Wistar rat possesses reduced numbers of sympathetic motor neurons. In the present study, we report that substance P (SP) concentrations in superior cervical ganglion, spinal cord, iris and trachea of GH rats are about two-fold those in normal rats, and that SP-containing sensory neuron numbers are elevated in GH rats. These data suggest increased perinatal survival of SP neurons in the GH strain, due to reduced competition by sympathetic neurons for limited amounts of nerve growth factor. By contrast with the situation in iris and trachea, we found no difference between GH and normal rats in SP content of ear skin, atrium or stomach. This accords with previous findings that only some SP sensory neurons are responsive to nerve growth factor.

Ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor attenuates bombesin enhancement of intestinal carcinogenesis and metastasis induced by azoxymethane.

The effects of combined administration of bombesin (40 micrograms/kg body weight) and the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP), on the development of large and small intestinal tumors and the incidence of their metastasis to the peritoneum induced by azoxymethane (AOM, 7.4 mg/kg body weight), the ODC activity of the intestinal wall, and the labeling index of the intestinal mucosa and tumor were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats received weekly s.c. injections of AOM for 10 weeks, s.c. injections of bombesin every other day, and drinking water containing DAP (2.5 g/l) until the end of the experiment at week 40. Administration of bombesin significantly increased the incidence of intestinal tumors at week 40. It had no influence on the location, size, histological features or depth of involvement of intestinal adenocarcinomas, but significantly increased the incidence of their metastasis to the peritoneum. It also resulted in a significant increase in the intestinal ODC activity and labeling index. Administration of DAP with bombesin significantly reduced the enhancement of intestinal carcinogenesis by bombesin. Although the combined use of DAP with bombesin had little or no influence on the location, size, histological features, or depth of involvement of intestinal cancers, the incidence of their metastasis was significantly reduced. DAP significantly attenuated bombesin enhancement of the intestinal ODC activity and labeling index. These findings indicate that ODC inhibition attenuated the enhancement of intestinal carcinogenesis and metastasis to the peritoneum.

Establishment and characterization of a rat yolk sac tumor cell line, NMT-1, producing alpha-fetoprotein, with potential for lymphatic metastasis.

A new cell line producing α‐fctoprotein, designated NMT‐1, was established from rat yolk sac tumor with the potential for lymphatic metastasis in inbred Wistar rats. In this paper, we investigated the characteristics of NMT‐1 cells. The cell line grew in a monolayer and had a polygonal epithelioid appearance in phase‐contrast microscopy. The doubling time of NMT‐1 cells during exponential growth was approximately 16 h in RPMI‐1640 with 10% fetal calf serum. The D0 value for radiation sensitivity was 97 ±3 cGy. The extrapolation number, n, for NMT‐1 was 1.08 ± 0.15, In the log phase, the G0/G1, S and G2/M fractions were 23.2%, 62.1% and 14.3%, respectively. Tumor take was observed in all of the rats inoculated with NMT‐1 cells. In the case of flank tumor, the mean survival time was 104 days after inoculation with 106 tumor cells. Inguinal, axillar, paraaortic, mesenteric and mediastinal lymphnode metastases were observed in all rats inoculated with NMT‐1 cells. Rats which survived for a long time developed metastases in a lymphatic vessels of the liver, lung and/or kidney microscopically. The biological behavior and the histopathological features of the tumor induced by inoculation with NMT‐1 cells were the same as those of the original tumor induced by fetectomy.

The stimulation by dendritic cells of host-versus-graft reactivity in vivo.

Dendritic cells (DC) isolated from peripheral intestinal lymph of inbred Wistar rats were injected into the hind footpads of Hooded CBH/Cbi rats. Administration of 10(4) and 5 x 10(5) allogeneic DC produced approximately six-fold increase in popliteal node weight. This is only marginally greater than that caused by similar doses of syngeneic DC and about 30% greater than that caused by allogeneic mononuclear cells. The data indicated that allogeneic DC were not effective stimulators of host-versus-graft reactions in this assay.

Ipsapirone and 8-OH-DPAT reduce ethanol preference in rats: involvement of presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors.

The selective serotonin(5-HT)1A receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone were tested in selectively inbred Wistar rats, with high preference [70-90%: defined as the ratio of ethanol (EtOH) to total fluid intake] for EtOH (10% v/v) over water in a two-bottle free choice situation. Rats were injected shortly before the overnight test session (8:00 P.M.-8:00 A.M.). EtOH and water consumption were determined in 20-min intervals; food consumption after the session. 8-OH-DPAT (ED50: 2.4 mg/kg, SC) and ipsapirone (ED50: 12.5 mg/kg, SC) reduced EtOH preference in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, 8-OH-DPAT increased total fluid intake, whereas ipsapirone enhanced total food intake. The EtOH preference reduction was time-dependent and reached a maximum within the second 4 h after application of 8-OH-DPAT (-73%) and ipsapirone (-72%). The preference reducing effect of ipsapirone (20 mg/kg, PO) was completely blocked by the nonselective 5-HT1A antagonist spiperone (0.05 mg/kg, SC). Local application of 8-OH-DPAT (10 micrograms, 0.5 microliters) into the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN, a brain area rich in somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors), reduced the EtOH preference significantly as compared to the saline injection in the same animal (-12%, 8:00-12:00 P.M.). Only marginal effects on ingestion behavior were observed after microinjection into the nucleus accumbens. Reduction of brain 5-HT levels by pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor pCPA (2 x 150 mg/kg, IP) resulted in a short lasting, marked reduction (-54%) and a long lasting, small attenuation of the EtOH preference. Total food consumption was strongly decreased but returned soon to normal; total fluid intake was only slightly decreased. The EtOH preference reducing effect of ipsapirone (5 and 20 mg/kg, SC) was attenuated in pCPA-pretreated rats. The present data suggest that 5-HT1A receptor ligands reduce EtOH preference via stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors in the DRN. The possibility of additional mechanism(s) is discussed.

Ipsapirone and 8-OH-DPAT reduce ethanol preference in rats: Involvement of presynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors

The selective serotonin(5-HT)1A receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone were tested in selectively inbred Wistar rats, with high preference [70–90%: defined as the ratio of ethanol (EtOH) to total fluid intake] for EtOH (10% v/v) over water in a two-bottle free choice situation. Rats were injected shortly before the overnight test session (8:00p.m.–8:00a.m.). EtOH and water consumption were determined in 20-min intervals; food consumption after the session. 8-OH-DPAT (ED50: 2.4 mg/kg, SC) and ipsapirone (ED50: 12.5 mg/kg, SC) reduced EtOH preference in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, 8-OH-DPAT increased total fluid intake, whereas ipsapirone enhanced total food intake. The EtOH preference reduction was time-dependent and reached a maximum within the second 4 h after application of 8-OH-DPAT (−73%) and ipsapirone (−72%). The preference reducing effect of ipsapirone (20 mg/kg, PO) was completely blocked by the nonselective 5-HT1A antagonist spiperone (0.05 mg/kg, SC). Local application of 8-OH-DPAT (10 µg, 0.5 µl) into the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN, a brain area rich in somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors), reduced the EtOH preference significantly as compared to the saline injection in the same animal (−12%, 8:00–12:00p.m.). Only marginal effects on ingestion behavior were observed after micro-injection into the nucleus accumbens. Reduction of brain 5-HT levels by pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor pCPA (2×150 mg/kg, IP) resulted in a short lasting, marked reduction (−54%) and a long lasting, small attenuation of the EtOH preference. Total food consumption was strongly decreased but returned soon to normal; total fluid intake was only slightly decreased. The EtOH preference reducing effect of ipsapirone (5 and 20 mg/kg, SC) was attenuated in pCPA-pretreated rats. The present data suggest that 5-HT1A receptor ligands reduce EtOH preference via stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors in the DRN. The possibility of additional mechanism(s) is discussed.

Chronic oral toxicity and carcinogenicity study of stevioside in rats

Groups of 45 male and 45 female inbred Wistar rats were given diets containing stevioside (85% pure) at 0, 0.2, 0.6 or 1.2% for 2 yr. After 6, 12 and 24 months, five rats from each group were killed for haematological and clinical biochemical tests. Growth, food utilization and consumption, general appearance and mortality were similar in treated and control groups. The mean lifespan of rats given stevioside was not significantly different from that of the controls. No treatment-related changes were observed in haematological, urinary or clinical biochemical values at any stage of the study. The incidence and severity of non-neoplastic and neoplastic changes were unrelated to the level of stevioside in the diet. The maximum no-observed-effect level of stevioside was 1.2%, and an acceptable daily intake of stevioside for humans of 7.938 mg/kg body weight/day is suggested.

Inhibitions by 6-hydroxydopamine and neostigmine singly or together of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

The effects of chemical sympathectomy induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and administration of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine, singly or together, on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and on the tissue catecholamine concentration of the gastric wall and the labeling index of the gastric mucosa, were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats received s.c. injections of neostigmine (0.075 mg/kg), and/or i.p. injections of 6-OHDA (42 mg/kg twice within 24 hr, and then 105 mg/kg every 2 weeks from 1 week later) 25 weeks after oral treatment with MNNG. Prolonged administration of 6-OHDA or neostigmine significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers by week 52, and in combination they had a significantly greater inhibitory effect. 6-OHDA and/or neostigmine had no influence on the histology of gastric cancers. Administration of 6-OHDA, but not neostigmine, significantly decreased the norepinephrine concentration in the antral portion of the gastric wall. The labeling index of the antral mucosa was decreased significantly by treatment with 6-OHDA or neostigmine, and decreased even more significantly by 6-OHDA plus neostigmine. Our findings indicate that 6-OHDA and neostigmine have protective effects against gastric carcinogenesis and that in combination their effects are additive. These results imply that the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic systems together influence gastric carcinogenesis.

Attenuating effect of ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor (1,3‐diaminopropane) on bombesin enhancement of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N‐methyl‐N'‐nitro‐N‐ nitrosoguanidine

The effects of combined administration of bombesin and the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) on the incidence and number of gastric tumors induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), the ODC activity of the gastric wall and the labelling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats were given drinking water containing MNNG (50 micrograms/ml) for 25 weeks and then drinking water containing DAP (2.5 g/l) and/or injections of 40 micrograms/kg body weight of bombesin in depot form every other day. Administration of bombesin alone resulted in significant increases in the incidence of gastric cancers, the ODC activity of the antral portion of the gastric wall and the labelling index of the antral mucosa. Administration of DAP with bombesin significantly reduced enhancement by the latter of gastric carcinogenesis, ODC activity of the antral portion of the gastric wall and the labelling index of the antral mucosa. Our results suggest that ODC inhibition attenuated the enhancement of gastric carcinogenesis by bombesin, and that this enhancement by bombesin was mediated by polyamine biosynthesis.

Attenuating effect of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor furazolidone on the anti‐carcinogenetic effect of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of furazolidone on inhibition by cysteamine of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in inbred Wistar rats. After oral treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks, rats received cysteamine, furazolidone, or both compounds. In week 52, rats treated with cysteamine had a significantly decreased incidence of gastric cancers. Concomitant treatment with furazolidone significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis. Administration of furazolidone alone significantly increased the number, but not the incidence, of gastric cancers. The norepinephrine concentration of the antral portion of the gastric wall and the labelling index of the antral mucosa were significantly reduced in rats treated with cysteamine, and significantly higher in rats treated with both compounds than in those treated with cysteamine alone. These findings indicate that the cysteamine-induced inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis is mediated by catecholamines.

Enhancement by sulpiride of the inhibitory effects of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis induced by n-methyl-n'-nitro-n-nitrosoguanidine in wistar rats

The effects of sulpiride on cysteamine inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and on the BUdR labelling index of gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG, rats received one of the following alternate-day injections: cysteamine (2 doses), cysteamine (2 doses) plus sulpiride or sulpiride. At week 52, prolonged administration of cysteamine significantly reduced the incidence of adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach. Cysteamine at low dose had no effect on the incidence of gastric cancers, but a combination of low-dose cysteamine and sulpiride caused a significantly greater reduction in the incidence of gastric cancers. Administration of sulpiride alone had no influence on gastric carcinogenesis. The labelling index of the antral mucosa was significantly lower in rats treated with high but not low doses of cysteamine. However, a combination of low-dose cysteamine and sulpiride significantly decreased the labelling index of the antral mucosa. Our findings indicate that cysteamine suppressed gastric carcinogenesis and that sulpiride enhanced this inhibition. Because sulpiride is a dopamine antagonist, these findings also indicate that dopamine may play an important role in cysteamine inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis.

Protection by oral phenylalanine against gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of L-phenylalanine on the incidence and histology of gastric adenocarcinomas induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine was investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Oral administration of 6% phenylalanine after 25 weeks of treatment with the carcinogen significantly reduced the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach at experimental week 52. Oral administration of high dose phenylalanine significantly increased the basal serum gastrin level and significantly decreased the norepinephrine concentration in the antral portion of the gastric wall, as well as the labelling indices of antral mucosa. These findings indicate that orally administered phenylalanine inhibits the development of gastric cancers.

Effect of ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor on tetragastrin treatment of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N‐methyl‐N'‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine in wistar rats

The effects of combined administration of tetragastrin and the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) on the incidence and number of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and the BUdR labelling indices of the fundic and antral mucosae, were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats were given drinking water containing 2.5 g/l of DAP ad libitum and received alternate-day injections of 1 mg/kg body weight of tetragastrin in depot form after 25 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. At week 52, prolonged administration of tetragastrin alone resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence and number of gastric cancers and a significant increase or decrease in the labelling indices of the fundic and antral mucosae, respectively. Concomitant administration of tetragastrin and DAP had no effect on the inhibition by tetragastrin of gastric carcinogenesis. With this treatment, the labelling index was significantly reduced in the fundic mucosa but not in the antral mucosa. These results suggest that ODC inhibitor does not attenuate tetragastrin inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis, and that anti-trophic action of tetragastrin on antral mucosa may be related to tetragastrin inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis.

Effects of propranolol and cimetidine on cysteamine inhibition of gastric carcinogenesis induced in Wistar rats by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

The effects of propranolol and cimetidine on inhibition by cysteamine (2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride) of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and on gastric acid secretion, serum gastrin level, and labelling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats received alternate-day injections of cysteamine (25 mg/kg body weight) with or without propranolol (dl-propranolol hydrochloride) (2 mg/kg bw) or cimetidine (50 mg/kg bw) in depot form after 25 weeks of oral treatment with MNNG. Prolonged administration of cysteamine significantly reduced the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the glandular stomach. A combination of cysteamine and propranolol significantly accelerated the inhibitory effect of cysteamine on gastric carcinogenesis. However, with concomitant administration of cysteamine and cimetidine, the incidence of adenocarcinoma was slightly but not significantly increased as compared to that after treatment with cysteamine alone. Administration of cysteamine caused a significant increase in gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin level, and a significant decrease in the labelling index of the antral mucosa. A combination of cysteamine and propranolol significantly increased gastric acid secretion by cysteamine alone and significantly decreased the labelling index of the antral mucosa. With this treatment, the serum gastrin level was significantly higher than the basal level, but the stimulated serum gastrin level was significantly lower than observed that after administration of cysteamine alone. In contrast, concomitant administration of cysteamine and cimetidine caused a significant decrease in gastric acid secretion and significant increase in the serum gastrin level as compared to the levels seen after treatment with cysteamine alone, but had no influence on the labelling index of the antral mucosa. These findings indicate that hypersecretion of acid, but not hypergastrinemia associated with hyposecretion of acid or achlorhydria, exerts a protective effect against gastric carcinogenesis, and that this effect may be related to its activity in decreasing proliferation of the antral mucosa.

Protective effect of oral cysteamine against induction of gastric cancer by N-methyl- N′-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of cysteamine ( 2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride) on the incidence and histology of gastric adenocarcinomas induced by N-methyl- N′-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Oral administration of 0.4% cysteamine in food after treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks significantly reduced the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach in experimental Week 52. Histological examination showed that adenocarcinomas that did develop in rats fed on cysteamine had high mucin-producing activity. Furthermore, oral administration of cysteamine caused a significant increase in serum gastrin level and significant decreases in the antral mucosal pH and the labeling indices of the antral mucosa. These findings indicate that cysteamine inhibits the development of gastric adenocarcinomas when given orally. This effect may be related to its ability to decrease proliferation of antral mucosal cells.

Effects of bilateral and unilateral vagotomy on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

After administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine for 15 weeks, the effects of bilateral, anterior and posterior vagotomy on the incidence, number and location of gastric adenocarcinomas, gastric acid secretion and cell proliferation of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Bilateral or anterior vagotomy, but not posterior vagotomy, significantly increased the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas at experimental week 52. In sham-operated control rats and rats subjected to bilateral vagotomy, there was no significant difference between the incidence or number of gastric tumors in the anterior and posterior walls. After anterior and posterior vagal denervation, however, there were significantly more gastric cancers on the denervated side than on the other. Bilateral and unilateral vagotomy resulted in significantly reduced gastric acid secretion by experimental weeks 25 and 52. Bilateral vagotomy significantly increased the labelling indices of both the fundic and antral mucosa at both times, but did not cause any significant difference between those of the anterior and posterior wall. Anterior or posterior vagotomy resulted in a significant increase in the labelling indices of both the fundic and antral mucosa on the denervated side. These findings indicate that the vagal nerve exerts a trophic action on the gastric mucosa, and that the promoting effect of vagotomy on gastric carcinogenesis may be related to its effect in increasing proliferation of cells in the antral mucosa.

Experimental repair of spinal cord lesions by grafting from CNS to PNS.

Based on the previous work of other researchers, we first removed 1 cm of the spinal cord of rats and grafted the gap with peripheral nerve. We obtained progression of regenerating axons inside the grafts, but regrowing axons halted at the distal cord level. We then tried directly to connect the cephalad stump of the cord with the sciatic nerve, several surgical models of which have been previously studied. The latest model uses a homologous sciatic nerve of an inbred Wistar rat, to bridge the gap between the lateral bundle of the cord, proximal to the origin of the sciatic roots, and the sciatic trunk distal to the fusion of its roots. Good reinnervation of the sciatic nerve and distal muscles was found. It was demonstrated by: a) the remyelination of regenerated nerve fibers, not only in the grafts but also in the sciatic nerve; b) re-innervation of motor endplates; and c) clinical and electromyographic muscle responses. Central nervous system (CNS) neurons are able to regenerate not only their axons through the CNS but also into peripheral nerves. The capacity of CNS neurons to neurotize peripheral nerves reaching terminal organs, is a basic finding. Many questions arise from the study, including: Can these results be extrapolated to humans? What would be the function of these regenerated fibers that might lack some of the control mechanisms peculiar to peripheral nerves?

Inhibitory effect of prolonged administration of cysteamine on experimental carcinogenesis in rat stomach induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

The effect of cysteamine (2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride) on the incidence and histology of gastric adenocarcinomas induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Prolonged administration of 25 or 50 mg per kg body weight of cysteamine after treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks significantly reduced the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas of the glandular stomach. Histological examination showed that the adenocarcinomas that did develop in rats treated with these 2 doses of cysteamine had high mucin-producing activity. Furthermore, treatment with cysteamine caused significant increases in serum gastrin level and gastric acid secretion, together with significant decreases in the antral mucosal pH and the labelling indices of pyloric and oxyntic gland mucosae and gastric cancer. These findings indicate that cysteamine inhibits the development of gastric adenocarcinomas and that its effect may be related to decreasing proliferation of cells in the gastric mucosae.

Inhibition by tetragastrin of experimental carcinogenesis in rat colon: effect of wheat bran consumption.

The effect of dietary wheat bran consumption on the anticarcinogenic action of tetragastrin upon colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane was investigated in 122 inbred Wistar rats. Rats were given a control fiber-free diet or the same basal diet plus 20% wheat bran. From week 5, they were given 250 micrograms per kg body weight of tetragastrin in depot form every other day until the end of the experiment at week 45. Prolonged administration of tetragastrin resulted in a significant reduction of the incidence and number of colonic tumors per rat in the group given the fiber-free diet. The adenocarcinomas that did develop in this group had high mucin-producing activity, unlike the cancers produced in controls without tetragastrin. However, administration of tetragastrin had little or no influence on the incidence, number or histology of colonic tumors in the group given basal diet plus wheat bran. Dietary supplementation with wheat bran alone had little or no effect on the development or histology of colonic tumors. Before and during the administration of carcinogens, addition of fiber to the diet resulted in a significant fall in the colonic pH and a significant increase in the crypt column length, but administration of tetragastrin did not have an additive effect on the crypt column length in rats fed diet supplemented with fiber.