Effect of lead acetate on N-(4'-fluoro-4-biphenyl)acetamide-induced renal carcinogenesis in the rat.

This study assessed the effect of lead acetate (Pb) on N-(4'-fluoro-4-biphenyl)acetamide (FBPA)-induced renal carcinogenesis. A quantitative investigation was performed to determine the effects of Pb on the numerical density (Nv) and percent volume (%V) of FBPA-induced renal tubular hyperplasia and microscopic nodules. A secondary goal was to evaluate, on a quantitative basis, the role of these putative premalignant lesions in the development of renal carcinoma. Additionally, by quantifying the number per unit area of karyomegalic cells, their relationship to the neoplastic process was examined. Generally, Pb was found to accelerate the onset and development of all renal lesions. Karyocytomegaly did not serve as an indicator of the degree of carcinogenicity of any of the treatment regimens.