Selective induction of DNA synthesis in mouse preneoplastic and neoplastic hepatic lesions after exposure to phenobarbital.

Recent evidence has suggested that the induction of DNA synthesis by nongenotoxic chemical carcinogens plays an important role in the formation of cancer. The present study examined the effect of a nongenotoxic carcinogen, phenobarbital, (PB) on the induction of DNA synthesis in preneoplastic foci and adenomas in B6C3F1 mice. Male mice were treated with diethylnitrosamine at 30 days of age. After 6 months, mice had both hepatic foci and adenomas. Mice were divided into three groups at random and treated with PB in the drinking water and examined for DNA labeling by autoradiography. Before sacrifice, each mouse received an osmotic minipump containing [3H] thymidine. Results showed a PB dose-dependent increase in DNA synthesis in hepatic foci. Adenomas were unresponsive to the DNA synthesis-enhancing effect of PB, maintaining a level of 20-25%. The normal surrounding liver showed an increase in DNA synthesis (10-15% labeling index) at the 7-day sampling, which returned to normal control levels by 28 and 45 days. The foci showed a heterogeneity in response, with some foci showing an increase (20-30% labeling index), and others maintaining control DNA synthesis levels (4-6% labeling index). These results show that preneoplastic foci in the mouse respond preferentially to the induction of DNA synthesis by PB, that this response is dose dependent, and that it is maintained as long as the treatment continues.