Carcinogenicity in mice of a mutagenic compound, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, from broiled sardine, cooked beef and beef extract.

A potent mutagenic compound, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), isolated from broiled sardines, cooked beef and beef extract was tested for carcinogenicity in CDF1 mice of both sexes. Mice were given diet containing 0.03% IQ or control diet for up to 675 days. Tumors were observed mainly in the liver, forestomach and lung. In the mice given IQ, the incidences of these tumors were as follows: liver tumors - 41% in males and 75% in females; tumors of the forestomach - 41% in males and 31% in females; lung tumors - 69% in males and 42% in females. In the control mice, incidences of these tumors were as follows: liver tumors - 9% in males and 8% in females; tumors of the forestomach - 3% in males and 0% in females; lung tumors - 21% in males and 18% in females. The incidences of tumors in the liver, forestomach and lung were significantly higher in mice given IQ than in control mice.