Modification of herpes 2-transformed cell-induced tumors in mice fed different sources of protein, fat and carbohydrate.

The effects of different sources of protein (milk, soy, wheat, fish and beef), fat (corn oil and butter), and carbohydrate (dextrin and sucrose) on tumor development and on spleen characteristics were investigated in BALB/c mice injected subcutaneously with 5 X 10(5) herpes simplex virus Type 2-transformed cells (H238 cells). Low or high levels of protein and fat were used. Several weeks post-injection results indicated that a high level of fat significantly enhanced tumor incidence. A high fat level was also associated with a lower spleen weight and a smaller proportion of mature granulocytes in the spleen. Butter, compared to corn oil, significantly restricted tumor volume. Among the most highly significant findings was the low tumor incidence in mice fed protein from either a milk or a fish source.