Failure of the N-oxodized metabolites of some carcinogenic amines to induce tumors in normal and wounded rat skin

Abstract

The skin of Osborne-Mendel and Sprague-Dawley rats was treated by repeated topical application of 1- and 2-naphthylamine, 4-biphenylamine and their corresponding N-arylhydroxylamine and nitroso derivatives for 52 weeks. In addition, the possibility of enhancing the susceptibility of the skin to the tumor induction by periodic wounding at the site of compound application was investigated in the Sprague-Dawley strain. The animals were observed for an additional year after which all survivors were sacrificed. No skin tumours were elicited in any of the rats although a small number of systemic tumors at sites distant from the area of application were observed in the Osborne-Mendel strain. No discernable increase in the sensitivity of the skin as a consequence of wounding to the carcinogenic effect of the compounds tested were observed.