Promotion by L-ascorbic acid of urinary bladder carcinogenesis in rats under conditions of increased urinary K ion concentration and pH.

Dietary administration of 5% L-ascorbic acid plus 3% K2CO3 to male F344 rats clearly enhanced the development of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the urinary bladder initiated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. Promotion of carcinogenesis by L-ascorbic acid and K2CO3 was associated with changes in urinary parameters: elevation of pH, increased K+ concentration, and increase in total ascorbic acid.