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High levels of haemoglobin (Hb) adducts from 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), a proven human carcinogen, have been reported in untreated animals from different laboratories fed various commercial standard diets. Therefore, the impact of dietary modifications on 4-ABP Hb adducts was investigated. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a regular standard diet or three different test diets for 4 weeks. 4-ABP Hb adducts were significantly lower in rats on vegetable-based test diets #2 (596±183 pg/g Hb, P=0.028) and #3 (537±48 pg/g Hb, P=0.009) compared with controls (974±154 pg/g Hb). Cereal-based test diet #1 (1080±388 pg/g Hb) had no influence on the basal Hb adduct levels determined before the start of the experiment (1054±163 pg/g Hb). In conclusion, the body burden of rats with 4-ABP could be significantly reduced by dietary modifications.