[The effect of lipochromin on spontaneous carcinogenesis in mice]

Development of spontaneous hepatomas was studied in CBA mice, which were maintained on a diet containing the carotenoid drug lipochromine in a dose of 25 mg/kg during their life beginning at the age of 3 months twice a week. Concentrations of vitamin A (as retinol) and beta-carotene were estimated in mice blood and liver tissue by means of HPLC. Decrease in occurrence of spontaneous tumors in liver tissue as well as distinct increase in periods of their development were detected in the animals treated with the drug. The phenomenon observed correlated positively with an increase in concentration of beta-carotene in liver tissue of tumor-bearing mice, thus indicating the preventive effect of lipochromine on spontaneous carcinogenesis in mice CBA strain.