The use of the D-T diaphorase for the detection of foci of early neoplastic transformation in rat liver.

This report demonstrates that activity of the enzymes D-T diaphorase and G-6-P dehydrogenases is greatly increased (6- and 4-fold respectively) in hyperplastic nodules produced in the rat liver by dietary acetylaminofluorene. A histochemical technique based on these observations has been developed that permits the visuatlization of early foci of neoplastic transformation in rat liver. The possible physiological implications of these findings are discussed.