ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the possible carcinogenic role of N-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) when combined with subcarcinogenic doses of strong carcinogens dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) and 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO) in the hamster cheek pouch. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five Syrian golden hamsters were randomly divided into three main groups. Group A contained 35 animals, 20 of which were treated with 0.1% DMBA followed by 4% NNN (A-I), 5 with 0.1% DMBA (A-II), 5 with 4% NNN (A-III), and 5 with mineral oil alone (A-IV). Group B contained 23 animals, 13 of which were treated with 0.5% 4NQO followed by 4% NNN (B-I), 5 with 0.5% 4NQO (B-II), and 5 animals with propyleneglycol alone (B-III). Group C contained 27 animals, 14 of which were treated with 0.1% DMBA followed by 4% NNN and 0.5% 4NQC (C-I), and 13 with 0.1% DMBA followed by 0.5% 4NQO (C-II). All animals were treated three times per week for 16 weeks. A total of 7 animals died during this period. RESULTS: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) developed in eight animals (67%) in the group treated with all three chemicals (C-I), in four animals (33%) treated with DMBA and 4NQO (C-II), in two animals (15%) treated with 4NQO and NNN (B-I), and in two animals (11%) treated with DMBA and NNN (A-I). The difference between the number of animals that developed carcinoma in group C-I and those in groups A-I and B-I was statistically significant (P < .05) and this difference reached a significant value when group C-I and C-II were compared (P < or = .1). There was a direct relationship between the number of tumors produced in animals and the number of different chemicals applied. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that NNN, when combined with subcarcinogenic doses of other strong carcinogens, is a promoter in the development of squamous cell carcinoma and that 4NQO in 0.5% concentration is a stronger carcinogen than 0.1% DMBA.
