Enhanced quinone reductase (QR) activity correlates with promotion potential of diethyl maleate (DEM) in rat forestomach and glandular stomach carcinogenesis initiated with N-methyl-N'-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG).

The modifying effect of diethyl maleate (DEM) on gastric tumor development was studied in rats initially given N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and hypertonic sodium chloride (H-NaCl 10% or 5%). Groups of animals were maintained with or without a 0.2% DEM dietary supplement after treatment with MNNG and H-NaCl and sacrificed at week 20. Forestomachs and livers cytosolic NAD(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase (QR) activity was also analyzed. The incidences of forestomach severe hyperplasias in the MNNG + H-NaCl --> DEM groups were also significantly higher than in the MNNG + H-NaCl alone group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for 5% and 10% groups, respectively). Similarly, in the glandular stomach, the numbers of preneoplastic pepsinogen 1 altered pyloric glands (PAPGs) in the MNNG + H-NaCl --> DEM groups were significantly increased (P < 0.01 for both concentrations). The QR activities in the groups treated with DEM showed 2- to 3-fold increases as compared with the control level. The results indicate that treatment with 0.2% DEM after MNNG initiation exerts enhancing effects on both forestomach and glandular stomach carcinogenesis. Induction of QR, a Phase II enzyme, activity in the rat stomach by DEM may be associated with promotion of stomach carcinogenesis rather than inhibition.