Changes of lipid-bound sialic acid in the plasma of mice bearing benzpyrene-induced tumors.

The level of lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA) was followed in inbred C57Bl/6 mice bearing tumors induced by benzpyrene at a dose of 20 mg per kg of body weight. In the plasma of mice with macroscopically ascertained tumors, the level of LSA was increased significantly. The LSA level was also significantly increased in the plasma of suspect mice i.e., in a period when the tumor was not yet macroscopically ascertained, however, when a change was observed in the motion of the hind limb of mice to which benzpyrene was administered.