Role of the Adrenal Glands in the Development of Lesions of the Liver in Rats Ingesting N-2-Fluorenyldiacetamide

Summary

An experimental model with F₁ hybrid rats from male A × C and female Sprague-Dawley rats fed 0.025 percent N-2-fluorenyldiacetamide in a semisynthetic diet was used to explore the role of the adrenal glands and adrenal hormones in the development of cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. The development of hepatocellular carcinomas or cirrhosis in the intact male rat was not prevented by adrenalectomy alone. In adrenal-ectomized males, hepatoma formation and cirrhosis were prevented by deoxycorticosterone, 9-α-fluorohydrocortisone, testosterone, or norethandrolone, and by castration plus cortisone administration. In intact male rats, the only hormone that decreased the incidence of hepatomas was adrenocorticotrophin. There was no change in incidence in intact males receiving deoxycorticosterone, 9-α-fluorohydrocortisone, or cortisone; or in either intact or adrenalectomized males given Medrol (6-methyl-Δ-1-hydrocortisone). Cirrhosis was decreased in intact males given deoxycorticosterone, adrenocorticotrophin, or Medrol. Intact or adrenalectomized females given cortisone or 9-α-fluorohydrocortisone, as well as those not given hormones, did not have hepatomas or cirrhosis.