The effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on gastric carcinogenesis, on inhibition by tetragastrin of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and on the tissue catecholamine concentrations of the gastric wall and the labeling index of the gastric mucosa were investigated in inbred Wistar rats. Rats received s.c. injections of tetragastrin (1 mg/kg of body weight every other day) in depot form, i.p. injections of 6-OHDA (42 mg/kg twice within 24 h and 105 mg/kg every 2 wk), or injections of both compounds after 25 wk of p.o. treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (100 micrograms/ml). At Wk 52, prolonged administration of tetragastrin or 6-OHDA had significantly reduced the incidence and the number of adenocarcinomas. Combined administration of tetragastrin and 6-OHDA significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of tetragastrin or 6-OHDA on gastric carcinogenesis. Administration of 6-OHDA but not tetragastrin, caused a significant decrease in norepinephrine concentrations in the antral portion of the gastric wall. Rats treated with tetragastrin or 6-OHDA had a significantly lower labelling index of the antral mucosa, and this index was significantly decreased by combined administration of tetragastrin and 6-OHDA, as compared with labeling indices observed after treatment with tetragastrin or 6-OHDA alone. These findings indicate that 6-OHDA exerts a protective effect against gastric carcinogenesis and enhances the inhibitory effect of tetragastrin on gastric carcinogenesis. This effect of 6-OHDA may be related to its ability to inhibit cell proliferation of the antral mucosa.