[The inhibitory effect of ascorbic acid on the estrogen-stimulated promotion of uterine sarcoma development in mice]

Abstract

The administration of estradiol propionate after the discontinuation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) treatment increased the incidence of uterine sarcoma in CBA mice from 32.5 (DMH alone) to 62.5%. The addition of the ascorbic acid (0.3% solution in drinking water) to estradiol propionate was followed by a decrease in the tumor incidence to 35%, i. e. the acid levelled the promoting effect of estradiol propionate almost completely. Sodium ascorbate did not share that effect. Mechanisms underlying the antiestrogenic effect of the ascorbic acid are discussed.