Effect of 3-Methylcholanthrene on Induction of Massive Necrosis of Adrenal Cortex by 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a Inhibitory) Anthracene.

Abstract

Summary Successive feeding of 3MC 30 mg/ml for 2 days, 48 hours before DMBA administration inhibited completely the necrosis-inducing action of DMBA. The adrenal cortex in rats receiving 3MC prior to DMBA treatment appeared normal histologically. This remarkable protective phenomenon was also observed in rats pretreated with Metopirone, a compound which is known to suppress adrenal corticosterone synthesis by inhibiting 11 β-hydroxylation. The mechanism by which 3MC inhibited the necrosis-inducing action of DMBA was believed to be similar to that by which Metopirone inhibited it.