Carcinogenicity of bucetin in (C57BL/6 X C3H)F1 mice.

The carcinogenicity of bucetin [(3-hydroxy-p-butyrophenetidide) CAS: 1083-57-4], an antipyretic analgesic drug, was examined in 300 (C57BL/6 X C3H)F1 mice. Groups of 50 mice of each sex were treated with 1.5 or 0.75% bucetin in their basal diet for 76 weeks and then fed a basal diet for 8 weeks. Control groups were given a basal diet for 84 weeks. In 10 of 46 (22%) male mice given the high dose of bucetin and in 6 of 45 (13%) given the low dose, renal cell tumors were induced. Dysplastic lesions of the proximal tubules were frequently seen in the males given bucetin in a dose-related fashion. Neither tumorous nor preneoplastic lesions developed in the kidneys of bucetin-treated female mice and control animals. Papilloma of the urinary bladder in 1 male mouse and papillary or nodular hyperplasia in 9 mice of both sexes were observed in groups given the high dose of bucetin.