Liver tumors induced by a new beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent in female rats.

A newly synthesized beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent, DL-1-(2-nitro-3-methyl-phenoxy)-3-tert-butylamino-propan-2-ol (ZAMI 1305), administered intragastrically for 6 months induced hepatocellular carcinomas in female outbred Wistar rats in a dose-dependent fashion but was harmless to the livers of male outbred Wistar rats. Experiments with castrated animals confirmed the dependence of the carcinogenic effect of ZAMI 1305 on the hormonal status of the rat. When an isomer of ZAMI 1305, DL-1-(2-nitro-5-methyl-phenoxy)-3-tert-butylamino-propan-2-ol (ZAMI 1327), and DL-practolol, which have pharmacologic activities similar to those of ZAMI 1305, were administered by the same experimental technique as used for ZAMI 1305, no liver tumors appeared either in male or female rats.