Enhancement of low-dose N-2-fluorenylacetamide-induced hyperplastic liver nodules by pre-existing cirrhosis.

The potentiating effect of pre-existing cirrhosis on the formation of hyperplastic liver nodules and/or foci was investigated by feeding a low dose (0.008%) of 2-N-fluorenylacetamide (FAA) in a choline-deficient (CD) diet for 32 weeks to cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic rats. Liver cirrhosis was induced by feeding the rats a CD diet for the preceding 36 weeks. The number and area of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive hyperplastic liver nodules and/or foci were significantly larger in cirrhotic rats exposed to low-dose FAA than in non-cirrhotic rats similarly treated. Hyperplastic liver nodules and/or foci were not observed in rats continuously fed a CD diet alone for 68 weeks (control cirrhotic rats). The results suggest that cirrhotic liver might alter the metabolic response to FAA, even at low doses, and lead to enhanced induction of hyperplastic liver nodules and/or foci.