Species differences in the induction of hepatocellular DNA synthesis by diethanolamine. The Toxicol. 72, Abstr

Diethanolamine increased the incidence and multiplicity of liver tumors in the mouse following chronic exposure. Diethanol-amine is known to inhibit cellular choline uptake. Since choline deficiency produces tumors in rodents, diethanolamine, through choline depletion, may result in tumor development in rodents. The potential for diethanolamine to function through this mode of action in humans is not known. The present studies examined the effect of diethanolamine (0–500 mg/ml) and choline depletion on DNA synthesis and changes in expression of genes involved in cell growth pathways in primary cultures of mouse, rat, and human hepatocytes. In mouse and rat hepatocytes DNA synthesis was increased following treatment with 10 mg/ml diethanolamine and higher (3- to 4-fold over control). In contrast, diethanolamine failed to increase DNA synthesis in human hepatocytes. In-cubation of hepatocytes in medium containing reduced cholin