Disappearance of upward proliferation and persistence of downward basal cell proliferation in rat forestomach papillomas induced by butylated hydroxyanisole.

The reversibility of forestomach lesions induced in rats by butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was examined. F344 rats were given BHA for 24 weeks, followed by the basal diet, and their forestomach lesions at weeks 24 and 96 were compared histopathologically. Hyperplasias and papillomas showing upward proliferation were found in week 24 but not in week 96. However, downward proliferation of basal cells persisted after the discontinuation of BHA administration. This finding suggests that downward growth of basal cells is not reversible and is important in the development of BHA-induced forestomach tumors in rats.