Modification potentials of ethyl alcohol and acetaldehyde on development of preneoplastic glutathione S-transferase P-form-positive liver cell foci initiated by diethylnitrosamine in the rat.

The modification potentials of ethyl alcohol (EA) and acetaldehyde (AA) on development of immunohistochemical glutathione S-transferase (placental type)-positive (GST-P+) liver cell foci were examined in an in vivo short-term assay system. Rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and then various concentrations of EA (20, 10, 5%) or AA (5, 2.5%) in their drinking water from week 2 till termination in week 6. All rats were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy in week 3. Animals given EA (20% and 10%) or AA showed significant decrease in liver and body weight. However, only EA caused significant dose-related inhibition of development of areas of foci (mm2/cm2), but AA had no effect on their development.