[Changes in induced cell loss in the intestinal epithelium of mice after a single exposure to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine]

A single subcutaneous injection of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine lowers the induced cell loss from the superficial regions of mucosa in the distal colon of mice which may be revealed on the 3rd day after injection to retain longer than a month. The magnitude of this effect in the different regions of intestine is closely related to the frequency of tumor appearance established under numerous carcinogen injections. Non-carcinogenous analogs of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and different carcinogens that induce tumors in other organs, but not in intestine, do not lead to the lowering in the induced cell loss. The data obtained indicate that the above effect may be related to carcinogenous properties of 1,2-dimethylhydrasine.