Effect of ethanol on the tumorigenicity of urethane (ethyl carbamate) in B6C3F1 mice.

Urethane is a carcinogen to which there is widespread exposure through the consumption of fermented foods and alcoholic beverages. In this study, we have assessed the carcinogenicity of urethane in combination with ethanol. Male and female B6C3F(1) mice (48 mice per sex per group) were exposed to 0, 10, 30, or 90 ppm urethane in the presence of 0%, 2.5%, or 5% ethanol in drinking water ad libitum for two years, at which time the extent of tumorigenesis was assessed. Additional mice (four per sex per group) received the same doses for four weeks to assess serum levels of urethane and ethanol, DNA adduct formation, and the induction of microsomal cytochromes P450, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Urethane decreased cell replication in the livers of female, but not male, mice, decreased cell replication in the lungs of both sexes, and induced cytochrome P450 2E1 in the livers of female mice. Hepatic levels of the DNA adduct 1,N(6)-ethenodeoxyadenosine were increased by exposure to urethane and decreased by treatment with ethanol. Animal weights and survival were not affected by ethanol; in contrast, urethane administration decreased body weights and survival. Urethane caused dose-dependent increases in liver, lung, and harderian gland adenoma or carcinoma and hemangiosarcoma of the liver and heart in both sexes, mammary gland and ovarian tumors in females, and squamous cell papilloma or carcinoma of the skin and forestomach in males. The increase in hepatocellular tumors occurred in a relatively linear manner and was attributed to the formation of 1,N(6)-ethenodeoxyadenosine in hepatic DNA coupled with an increase in cell replication. Hemangiosarcomas were observed only at the 90 ppm urethane dose and were probably a result of high-dose urethane-induced toxicity. Lung alveolar/bronchiolar and harderian gland adenoma or carcinoma increased in a relatively linear manner, suggestive of a genotoxic mechanism for tumor induction. Ethanol induced a dose-dependent trend in hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma in male mice, with the incidence being marginally increased at the highest dose. In female mice administered 10 ppm and 90 ppm urethane, ethanol caused dose-related increases in alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma or carcinoma and hemangiosarcoma of the heart, respectively. This may be due to ethanol decreasing the first-pass clearance of urethane, thus, increasing systemic distribution. In male mice a different relationship was observed: ethanol caused a dose-related decrease in alveolar/bronchiolar and harderian gland adenoma or carcinoma in mice administered 30 ppm urethane.