Experimental studies on hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocarcinogenesis. II. Influence of cirrhotic liver on 2-FAA hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

The effects of hepatic cirrhosis on chemical hepatocarcinogenesis were studied in rats using an experimental model for hepatic cirrhosis established by chronic furfural administration (described in a previous report) and N-2-fluorenylacetamide (2-FAA). Sixteen male Wistar rats were fed with 2-FAA feeding 3 cycles, which consisted of 3 weeks consuming 0.03% 2-FAA diet and 1 week basal diet, after 120 days of furfural feeding. Grossly and histologically all livers of experimental animals showed formation of multiple hyperplastic nodules with atypical features in parts. These hyperplastic nodules were positively immunostained with alpha fetoprotein. On the other hand, none of the livers of 16 rats fed with furfural alone showed formation of hyperplastic changes and only 2 livers of 16 rats fed 2-FAA without preadministration of furfural showed one small hyperplastic nodule each, respectively. These results indicate that the cirrhotic liver induced by chronic furfural feeding has an enhancing effect on 2-FAA chemical hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests that the presence of hepatic cirrhosis induces increased susceptibility to hepatocarcinogenic stimuli.