Vitamin A deficiency enhances the effects of 7-12 demethylbenz [A] anthracene [DMBA] induced skin carcinogenesis in albino rats

The present study was designed to see the effects of vitamin A deficiency in DMBA induced chemical carcinogenesis on skin of albino rats. The rats were kept on vitamin A deficient diet for 20 weeks and treated with 20 micro g/0.2ml of DMBA twice weekly. After 20 weeks 70% skin lesions were developed in animals taking vitamin A deficient diet [VAD] alone, while 90%skin lesions were seen in animals receiving VAD, DMBA group, however, 10-20% more skin lesions were seen in normal diet, DMBA and VAD DMBA group as compared to vad group. The results indicate that vitamin A deficiency enhances the effect of chemical carcinogenesis