Comparative studies on the effects of semipurified and commercial diet on longevity and spontaneous and induced lesions in the Syrian golden hamster.

Syrian golden hamsters were fed a semipurified or commercial diet from weaning throughout life. Bis(2-oxopropyl)nitrosamine (BOP) was administered at 8 weeks of age (10 mg/kg body wt, sc). Longevity was improved by 26% and 36% increases in the mean life-spans of male and female hamsters, respectively, fed the semipurified diets. Carcinogen treatment did not alter survival. The age-adjusted occurrence rates of pancreatic ductular proliferation, carcinomas, adenomas, and common duct polyps were higher in hamsters fed commercial diet; this indicates an earlier onset of these BOP-induced lesions in hamsters fed this diet. However, their overall incidences were generally similar when the two diet groups were compared. Acinar cell nodules were observed only in hamsters fed semipurified diets and were elevated in BOP-treated females. The onset of pancreatic ductular proliferation and adenomas, bile duct proliferation, parathyroid hyperplasia, and common duct papillary hyperplasia was earlier in females than in male hamsters, especially in groups fed commercial ration. Generalized vascular calcification was observed at an elevated rate and reached a higher overall incidence in hamsters fed commercial ration. The age-adjusted rate of amyloidosis was high in female hamsters and elevated in groups that consumed the commercial ration. In addition, colitis and islet cell hyperplasia occurred more often and earlier in hamsters fed commercial ration, but gallbladder stones occurred most in animals fed semipurified diet. This paper discusses the possible association between these and other observed lesions and survival.