Absence of the ether lipid tumour marker in diethylnitrosamine-induced rat liver cell cancer

Tissue levels of neutral O-alkylglycerolipids were measured in rat liver during the course of hepatocarcinogenesis produced by feeding diethylnitrosamine. Enzyme altered foci, not recognizable with conventional histological techniques, were shown to be present in specimens obtained after 3 or 6 weeks feeding the carcinogen. Frank hyperplastic nodules were present at 11 weeks and hepatocellular carcinoma were found in all rats at 18 weeks. At no point during the course of carcinogenesis did the liver show an increase in either-linked neutral glycerolipids, characteristic of animal tumours. On the contrary, lower levels of neutral O-alkylglycerolipids were found in tissues containing hyperplastic nodules or tumour.