Studies on Methylcholanthrene Induction of Tumors in Scorbutic Guinea Pigs

Summary

Recurrent periods of scurvy, interspersed with periods of lettuce supplementation sufficient to prevent death, resulted in a significant shortening of the time of appearance of methylcholanthrene-induced tumors in guinea pigs. Comparable general inanition with constant ascorbic acid administration showed an intermediate time of appearance of tumors which was statistically not significantly different from the time of appearance in either the test group or the controls. Under the experimental conditions utilized in these experiments it was not possible to conclude that ascorbic acid deficiency affected methylcholanthrene carcinogenesis. On the other hand, a possible role of ascorbic deficiency has not been excluded.