The effect of hormone induced stress upon the extent of alkylation of rat liver nucleic acids by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

An examination was made of the effect of treatment with methylating agents of varying carcinogenic potency and with stress inducing hormones upon DNA synthesis in the resting liver of the rat. With the methylating agents an early stimulation of DNA synthesis was observed, but this was depressed below the control levels at later times and with higher doses; hormone administration also resulted in a depression of DNA synthesis but, without any initial stimulation at the dosage employed. Under conditions of induced stress it was found that the extent of reaction of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea with cellular macromolecules was enhanced. This appeared to be a general effect upon the liver cell since both DNA and rRNA were affected in a similar manner.