The role of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in murine colonic carcinogenesis (MCC) has not yet been clarified. In rats, Freeman et al have reported an increased number of colonic tumors induced with dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and sodium butyrate in drinking water. On the other hand, Deschner et al showed that tributyrin intake did not increase MCC induced with azoxymethane. Both of them have reported high levels of fecal butyric acid with sodium butyrate and tributyrin intake. Although salt intake has been positively associated with colorectal cancer some authors do not support this association. We have evaluated the influence of right hemicolectomy (RH) (right colon as main source of SCFA) and the intake of 2%-pH 7 sodium butyrate (S.BUT) and 4 g/l sodium chloride (S.CHL) in drinking water, in MCC. Forty eight male Wistar rats weighing 150 g were divided into 4 groups: RH, S.BUT, S.CHL, control (C). Half of the animals received weekly DMH 20 mg/kg subcutaneously for 12 weeks. Necropsy was performed after 6 months. We have determined fecal SCFA content by gas chromatography. Neoplasm was present in 70% of rats treated with DMH. The number of animals with tumors was: RH 4/6, S.BUT 4/6, S.CHL 3/5, C 6/6. Tumor frequency was: RH 1.17 +/- 0.48, S.BUT 1.50 +/- 0.76, S.CHL 1.20 +/- 0.49, C 1.50 +/- 0.22. S.BUT group, treated with DMH, presented a lower butyric acid concentration (p < 0.05) in comparison with other groups. We have no explanation for this finding; gastric absorption of sodium butyrate may be an important factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)