Fig. 2.

Mixed tocopherols (MT) inhibit mammary tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. All rats (21 ± 1 days old) were given an i.p. injection of 50 mg N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) per kilogram body weight 1 week before starting the feeding of 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% mixed tocopherols. Rats were fed with control or mixed tocopherols containing diet for 9 weeks. Tumor volume and body weight were measured weekly. The data are expressed as mean +/− S.E. (N=12). A. Average body weight at autopsy was not affected up to 0.5% mixed tocopherols in the diet. B. Mixed tocopherols significantly inhibited the mammary tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. C. Average tumor burden in the groups fed mixed tocopherols (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% in the diet) was reduced by 37.9%, 50.0% and 80.3% respectively. D. Tumor multiplicity of the group fed 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% mixed tocopherols in the diet was reduced by 39.6%, 47.9%, and 62.5% respectively. Significant difference between control and mixed tocopherols fed groups was determined by the Student's t-test (# p =0.05, *p <0.05, **p < 0.01, *** p< 0.001).