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. 1984 Jun;56:205–212. doi: 10.1289/ehp.8456205

Effects of soybean flour on the pancreas of rats.

E E McGuinness, R G Morgan, K G Wormsley
PMCID: PMC1568217  PMID: 6207016

Abstract

We have reviewed the growth-promoting and carcinogenic effects of feeding raw soya flour to rats. If the raw soya flour-containing diets are fed for more than a year, about 10% of the animals develop pancreatic cancer. In addition, feeding raw soya flour markedly potentiates the action of even subthreshold amounts of pancreatic carcinogens. The raw soya flour therefore acts as a potent promoter, as well as a weak carcinogen. In view of this promotion, the rat fed raw soya flour is a sensitive model for screening pancreatic carcinogens. It is not known whether the human pancreas responds to dietary trypsin inhibitors in a manner similar to the rat. However, in view of the use of soya-based products in human nutrition--especially in infant foods--we urge that the effect of all soya-based products intended for human use be tested on the rat pancreas in long-term feeding studies, combined with subthreshold doses of azaserine to highlight any promoting activity of the product. It seems probable that if a product exerts no effect on the rat pancreas, the human pancreas will also be spared from noxious effects.

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Selected References

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