The enhancing effect of sodium nitrite on virus-induced leukemia in mice.

A study of the effect of sodium nitrite (SN) on leukemia development in mice induced by Rauscher Leukemia virus (RLV) (Balb/c mice), Mazurenko leukemia virus (MaLV) (CC57Br mice), and Gross leukemia virus (GLV) (AKR/J mice) was performed. SN was administered in water (at concentrations of 5.0, 50.0, 500.0, and 2000.0 mg/l, by NaNO2). A moderate, yet statistically significant acceleration of leukemia development was observed in some groups of SN-treated mice. Our findings and the literature provide evidence that SN has the capacity to enhance the carcinogenic effect of leukemia viruses in vivo.