Present studies in the mammary epithelial cell transformation model in organ culture showed that presence of beta-carotene during the 24 hr treatment (initiation stage) of the glands with the carcinogens, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA) and N-methylnitrosourea (MNU), caused a highly significant (P less than 0.001-0.01) reduction of SCE induced by the same carcinogens. In contrast, 4-hydroxyphenyl retinamide (4-HPR) which is known to act at the promotional stage of carcinogenesis did not show any significant reduction of SCE. Thus findings suggest that beta-carotene can modify the DNA damaging effect of the carcinogens and thereby may also prevent the initiation of the carcinogenic process.

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