This study was conducted to assess the chemopreventive effects of sodium selenite in the rat medium-term multi-organ bioassay using a DMBDD model (DEN+MNU+BBN+DMH+DHPN). Seventy five,6-week-old, male SD rats were divided into 3 groups. The animals in group 1 received DEN(diethylnitrosamine,100 mg/kg bw, single i.p., in saline), MNU (N-methyl-nitrosourea,20 mg/kg bw, i.p.,4 times for 2 weeks), BBN (N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine, 0.2% in drinking water for 2 weeks), DMH (1,2-dimethylhydrazine, 40 mg/kg bw, s.c., in saline.4 times (or 2 weeds), and DHPN (N-bis(2-hydroxy-pro-pal)nitrosamine,0.1% in drinking water for 2 weeks), then were placed on sodium selenite (4 ppm in drinking water) for 22 weeks from weeks 4 to 26. The animals in group 2 were given DMBDD alone. The animals in group 3 were given sodium selenite alone. Animals were sacrificed at week 12 for ACF quantitative analysis and at week 26 for tumor induction. The body weights in the group 1 were significantly decreased compared with those of group 2. The tumor multiplicities of large intestine in the group 1 were significantly decreased compared with those of group 2 (P<0.05). These results indicate that sodium selenite may have a potential as chemopreventive agents of colon carcinogenesis.