Influence of selenium on 3-methylcholanthrene induced skin carcinogenesis in mice.

Incidence of skin papillomas/tumors have been studied in ICRC male mice after surface application of 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) after selenium treatment. Decrease in percentage incidence and tumor burden was noticed. Also increase in latent period of induction was observed. As no influence of selenium was noticed on arylhydrocarbon-hydroxylase activity in skin and liver, so activation/inactivation of carcinogen is ruled out with selenium treatment. Since there is significant increase in glutathione S-transferase activity with selenium treatment, hence detoxication pathways may be active in suppression of carcinogenic activity with selenium treatment.