The impact of vitamins A,C,E, and selenium compound on prevention of liver cancer in rats.

A study was initiated to determine the impact of vitamins A, C, E, and selenium compound (Se) on the prevention of liver cancer. Sixty animals were fed a diet with or without these vitamins followed by aflatoxin B treatment for a period of 24 months. Most of the animals fed a diet devoid of vitamins developed liver cancer, while none or only a few of the animals given vitamins suffered during this period. We suggest that vitamins can inhibit liver cancer by inducing hepatic microsomal enzymes that metabolise aflatoxins to noncarcinogenic products.