Dose-related enhancing effect of potassium bromate on renal tumorigenesis in rats initiated with N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethyl-nitrosamine.

Dose-response studies were undertaken to investigate the enhancing activity of potassium bromate (KBrO3), a food additive, on renal tumorigenesis initiated by N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN). A total of 180 male 6-week-old F344 rats were divided into 12 groups. EHEN was given in the drinking water for the first 2 weeks at a concentration of 500 ppm for initiation of carcinogenesis. Thereafter, the rats were treated orally either with KBrO3 at a concentration of 500, 250, 125, 60, 30 or 15 ppm, or with potassium bromide (KBr) at a concentration of 1750 or 350 ppm for 24 weeks. The mean numbers of kidney dysplastic foci were significantly increased in a dose-related manner in rats treated with more than 30 ppm KBrO3. The mean number of renal cell tumors was significantly higher after treatment with KBrO3 at the highest concentration of 500 ppm. On the other hand, KBr had no effect. It was concluded that KBrO3 at doses higher than 30 ppm in the drinking water has an enhancing effect on renal tumorigenesis.