Effect of high salt diet on rat gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

The influence of sodium chloride on chemical carcinogenesis of the gastroduodenal tract was examined in male outbred Wistar rats exposed to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in the drinking water (100 mg/liter) for 20 weeks. Sodium chloride given concomitantly with MNNG during the first 20 weeks of the experiment increased both the incidence and the size of tumors at 40 weeks. However, sodium chloride given after MNNG during the second 20 weeks of the experiment did not enhance tumor development. This study indicates that, although sodium chloride given with MNNG enhances tumor development, sodium chloride does not promote gastric carcinogenesis.