The Promoting Effects of Food Dyes, Erythrosine (Red 3) and Rose Bengal B (Red 105), on Thyroid Tumors in Partially Thyroidectomized N‐Bis(2‐hydroxypropyl)‐ nitrosamine‐treated Rats

The effects of erythrosine (Red 3), rose bengal B (Red 105) and thyroidectomy on the development of thyroid tumor were examined in male Wistar rats treated with N‐bis(2‐hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN). Red 3 and Red 105 were used at 4% in the basal diet and were administered for 19 weeks from week 2 to 20. Thyroidectomy was performed by resection of the left lobe at week 4. Single injection of DHPN was performed intraperitoneally at 280 mg per 100 g body weight at the beginning of the experiment. Red 3 and Red 105 significantly promoted the development of thyroid tumors in thyroidectomized rats given DHPN, but had no significant effect in non‐thyroidectomized rats. The incidence of thyroid tumors was 91% in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 3 and DHPN, 100% in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 105 and DHPN, and 64% in rats with partial thyroidectomy and DHPN. Serum TSH was 5.5±3.1 ng/ml in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 3 and DHPN, 2.1 ± 2.2 ng/ml in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 105 and DHPN, and 1.5±0.5 ng/ml in rats with partial thyroidectomy and DHPN.