title: Alpha-hydroxylation of N-nitrosopyrrolidine and N'-nitrosonornicotine by human liver microsomes.
abstract: The environmental carcinogens N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) and N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) were incubated with human liver microsomes to test for the presence of enzymes catalyzing alpha-hydroxylation, which is likely to be an activation mechanism for these compounds. Both nitrosamines underwent alpha-hydroxylation; rates were higher for NPYR than for NNN, as observed in rats. The results indicate that both NPYR and NNN can be metabolically activated by human liver microsomes.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006900:Hydroxylation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D009242:N-Nitrosopyrrolidine / Q000378:metabolism; D009538:Nicotine / Q000378:metabolism; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009602:Nitrosamines; D009538:Nicotine; D009242:N-Nitrosopyrrolidine