Induction of renal cell tumors in rats and mice, and enhancement of hepatocellular tumor development in mice after long-term hydroquinone treatment.

Hydroquinone (HQ) was administered to F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice of both sexes at a level of 0.8% in the diet for two years. This treatment induced renal tubular hyperplasia as well as adenomas, predominantly in males of both species, and was associated with chronic nephropathy in rats. In addition, the occurrence of epithelial hyperplasia of the renal papilla was increased in male rats. Foci of cellular alteration of the liver were significantly reduced in number by HQ in rats, but in contrast, were increased in mice, where development of hepatocellular adenoma was also enhanced in males. The incidence of squamous cell hyperplasia of the forestomach epithelium was significantly higher in mice of both sexes given HQ than in the controls, but no corresponding increase in tumor development was observed. The present study strongly indicates potential renal carcinogenicity of HQ in male rats and hepatocarcinogenicity in male mice. Thus, it is possible that HQ, which is present in the human environment, may play a role in cancer development in man.