The detection of metabolic products from dimethylnitrosamine in rats and mice

Abstract

Mice were treated with (Cl4) dimethylnitrosamine, and rats with unlabeled dimethylnitrosamine, and with (C14)-, (NO15)- and (NC15)-dimethylnitrosamine. In rats and mice much C14 was respired as CO2. The remainder was rather evenly distributed in between the tissues. In rats treated with (Nl5) dimethylnitrosamine, liver fractions (nuclei, mitochondria, microsomes, protein from supernatant and residual supernatant; and liver protein, nucleic acids, lipids and acid-soluble fractions) were evenly and lightly labeled. In the urine free bases and urea nitrogen were heavily, and protein lightly, labeled. Plasma protein was lightly labeled. Urine and acid-soluble fractions were tested microchemically for hydrazine, hydrazide, methylamine, methylamide, nitrite, hydroxy-lamine, hydroxamic acids and oximes by modifications of previously published methods. Results were negative except for traces of methylamine in liver, and more in urine, some of which was derived from dimethylnitrosamine. The results indicate that the dimethylamino groups are oxidized to one carbon-atom intermediates and ammonia, and that the nitroso group is partly reduced to ammonia.