Induction of thyroid and liver tumors by chronic exposure to 2-methylimidazole in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice

2-Methylimidazole (2MI) has been identified as a by-product of fermentation and is detected in foods and mainstream and side-stream tobacco smoke. It is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, photographic chemicals, dyes and pigments, agricultural chemicals, and rubber. Carcinogenicity studies of 2MI were conducted because of its high potential for human exposure and a lack of carcinogenicity data. Groups of male and female Fischer 344/N rats were fed diets containing 0, 300, 1,000, or 3,000 ppm (males) or 0, 1,000, 2,500, or 5,000 ppm (females) 2MI for 106 weeks and groups of male and female B6C3F1 mice were fed 0, 625, 1,250, or 2,500 ppm 2MI for 105 weeks. Animals in each group were sacrificed at 8 days, 14 weeks, and 6 months for determinations of serum thyroid hormone and liver enzyme levels and histopathological examinations and at 2 years for evaluations of neoplastic lesions. In rats, 2MI administration reduced serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine and increased thyroid stimulating hormone levels. 2MI administration also increased total hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase levels. At 2 years, the incidences of thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia, adenoma or carcinoma (combined), as well as follicular mineralization were increased. The incidences of hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma (combined) in the two highest dose groups of males and females were also increased. The incidences of mixed cell focus in males and females were also significantly increased. In mice, the incidences of thyroid follicular cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia were significantly increased in the high dose males and females. The incidence of thyroid follicular cell adenoma in the 2,500 ppm males was significantly greater than that in the control group. The incidences of hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma (combined) were significantly increased in all exposed groups of males and in the 2,500 ppm females. Significant increases in incidences were also observed in spleen hematopoietic cell proliferation in both sexes and bone marrow hyperplasia, chronic active inflammation of the epididymis, sperm granuloma, and germinal epithelial atrophy of the testis in males. Under these experimental conditions, carcinogenic activity of 2MI was demonstrated in male and female rats and mice.