[tanysquirrel]

BHT -

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6343068
Abstract

Although the average American's daily consumption of BHT can be measured in milligrams, there are numerous reports that BHT causes organ damage in laboratory animals. Only a few genotoxic effects of BHT have been reported, however, including mutagenicity in the abnormal sperm assay and ambiguous results regarding its teratogenicity. More dramatic are the modulatory effects of BHT on the actions of established mutagens and carcinogens. BHT can either enhance or inhibit mutagenic potency, depending on the substance tested. For example, in the Ames test, BHT is antimutagenic towards benzo(a)pyrene, but increases the number of Salmonella revertants induced by aflatoxin B1. BHT is one of the few compounds to have both tumor prophylactic and tumor promoting capacities. It is the temporal sequence in which BHT and carcinogens are administered to test animals which determines how BHT affects the response to these carcinogens. In common with other antioxidants, BHT inhibits the ability of carcinogens to induce tumors in various rodent organs when the animal is given BHT prior to carcinogen treatment. Unlike other antioxidants, however, the number of tumors increase when BHT is administered after carcinogen exposure. The comutagenic and cocarcinogenic properties of BHT have been demonstrated in tests ranging from the Ames test to cell transformation procedures to in vivo assays. These effects are probably mediated by metabolites of BHT, rather than by BHT itself

caution should be used with this, if you have pre-existing tumors/cancer

it is lipophilic :
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/conten.../558.short
Abstract

The effects of hydrogenated fats and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in the diets of rats on the hepatic activation of benzo(a)pyrene, 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF), and 2-aminofluorene by liver homogenates (S-9 fraction) were evaluated. The Salmonella/microsomal mutagenicity assay (Strain TA 98) was utilized to determine the mutagenic potential of the activated compounds. The S-9 fraction was obtained from animals fed a 15% fat diet consisting of hydrogenated fats (43% trans-fatty acids) or unsaturated fats (0% trans-fatty acids). BHT was administered orally (0.5%) 6 days prior to sacrifice in both groups.

The incorporation of BHT in the diet of rats enhanced the mutagenic potential of AAF and 2-aminofluorene but not of benzo(a)pyrene. This effect was independent of the lipid composition of the diet. The most significant increment in the production of mutagenic metabolites was observed with AAF when BHT and hydrogenated fats were included in the diet of rats. Dietary hydrogenated fats appeared to potentiate the effects of BHT on AAF mutagenicity. Further studies to elucidate the mechanisms by which BHT and hydrogenated fats enhance AAF mutagenicity are warranted

used as an anti-viral (one person's testimonial):
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1132937
My investigations and self experimentation with the compound commonly referred to as BHT, or butylated hydroxytoluene ,as a treatment for hepatitis C began in 1997, as a result of reading DURK PEARSON and SANDY SHAW`S: THE LIFE EXTENSION COMPANION. I wish to state first of all that they recommend people with liver disease SHOULD NOT USE BHT. They discuss it as a treatment for HERPES types 1 and 2. As far as I know the original discoverers of BHT AS A TREATMENT for viral diseases are: Snipes, Person, Keith, and Cupp. These scientists have had their works published in numerous journals over time. Anyway, as a result of many blood transfusions < 17 units > in 1968 I contracted hepatitis C and B. I became very ill with HEP C in 1997. I felt what have I got to lose and started taking 250 mg caps of BHT 3- 4 TIMES a week to see if it would help me. It helped me a lot and I continue using it as a treatment to this day. There have been numerous papers written as to BHT`s effectiveness as a treatment for a broad range of viral diseases including AIDS, in America and other Nations.Many published in respectable publications. I have written my own thoughts on exactly how BHT readily destroys perhaps all viruses in inter cellular fluids such as blood. Simply stated ,my thoughts are that compounds such as BHT , being hydrophobic are drawn to and accumulate in structures such as viruses and generate free radical and ionic reactions inter cellularly that rapidly destroy viruses and other substances such as vascular deposits and the harmful tars that damage smokers lungs. The specifics of my reasoning would take a short book to explain. Exactly how and why these chemical reactions take place and how the cells are able terminate these reactions. I would have to do extensive referencing and such and do not feel like it right now. DIG UP BOOKS AND CREDIT AUTHORS AND SUCH. Anyway, I do believe BHT is an effective treatment for hepatitis C and many other viral diseases. "

if accurate, it is not a totally bad thing, i would definitely make sure the conditions are right before use (such as making sure you do not have pre-existing tumors/cancer)