Pyruvate inhibits growth of mammary adenocarcinoma 13762 in rats.

Abstract

The growth of implanted mammary adenocarcinoma 13762 was measured in rats consuming a liquid diet (35% fat, 18% protein, 47% carbohydrate) supplemented with pyruvate (37.3 g/liter; n = 13) or maltose-dextrin (placebo; n = 13) for 21 days. Mean tumor diameter, measured on day 11, 14, 18, and 21 subsequent to tumor implantation, was 41, 32, 21, and 19% smaller in the pyruvate group (P < 0.05). When euthanized, tumor weight was also smaller in the pyruvate group: pyruvate = 15.0 +/- 2.3 (SEM) g; placebo = 24.9 +/- 3.2 g, P < 0.05. Visual inspection of organs suggested decreased lung metastases with pyruvate feeding (P < 0.05). Upon microscopic evaluation of organs, hepatic tumor was found only in the placebo group. We conclude that pyruvate inhibits implanted tumor growth in rats.