Experimental Carcinogenesis with 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)Anthrazene (DMBA) and Its Inhibition with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a Diet of Mature Olives (Picual Variety)

Abstract

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthrazene (DMBA) is a carcinogen that induces carcinomas within a few weeks of application. Forty-four male hamsters were divided into four groups: DMBA dissolved in paraffin oil (DMBA-PO), DMBA dissolved in olive oil (DMBA-OO), paraffin oil and olive oil. Their mouths were swabbed daily with paraffin oil or extra virgin olive oil alternatively for the first two weeks, during the biweekly application of DMBA at 0.5% diluted in paraffin oil or olive oil for five weeks and daily until the twentieth week. The animals in the DMBA-OO and olive oil groups received an additional diet of mature Picual olives. The DMBA-PO carcinogen effect (35 carcinomas) is 100% and the inhibitory effect 0. The use of olive oil as DMBA solvent and the ad libitum diet with Picual olive has an inhibitory effect of 80%, with only three intraepithelial carcinomas and four verrucous carcinomas occurring and no invasive carcinoma.