[Modifying effects of ascorbic acid on nitrosodimethylamine-induced carcinogenesis].

In chronic experiments, albino noninbred rats were fed 20.0, 2.0 or 0.2 mg/l nitrosodimethylamine and 1000 or 100 mg/l ascorbic acid (average daily dose 100 or 10 mg/kg body weight). The study established the modifying effect of ascorbic acid on nitrosodimethylamine -- induced carcinogenesis. A decrease in tumor incidence was observed, particularly, at high level of the carcinogen. High dose ascorbic acid did not affect tumor incidence in intact animals; however, time to detection of the first tumor and mean duration of tumor development proved longer.