Gastrocarcinogen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine is an antiandrogen.

The present study has investigated comparatively the in vivo effects of physiologic saline drink, N-methylN'-nitro-n-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) drink, saline-MNNG drink and hydrocortisone treatment in terms of 1 functional parameter (daily liquid consumption) and 3 weight parameters (weights of whole body, forestomach and glandular stomach) using Swiss/ICR mice of both sexes. The results obtained are as follows: 1) The sole use of hydrocortisone treatment significantly increased daily water consumption in mice of both sexes. 2) The promoting effect of the hormone on liquid consumption was further accelerated by concomitant use of physiologic saline. There was no sex difference in the extent of drink increase, but the figure of male mice was more variable than that of female mice. 3) The introduction of the 3rd stressor MNNG significantly reduced the salt-hydrocortisone-linked acceleration of liquid consumption. The extent of MNNG suppression was more marked in male mice than in female mice. 4) The responses of the 3 weight parameters to hydrocortisone were found to be tissue- and sex-specific. The dynamic changes of the above 4 parameters under the influence of the 3 stressors are in agreement with the interpretation that androgen plays a positive role in the salt-hydrocortisone-linked acceleration of liquid consumption, and that MNNG reverses the drink increase by inhibiting the binding of androgen with its receptor.