title: Formation of volatile nitrosamines by drug-nitrite interactions under physiological conditions.
abstract: Twenty-eight drugs, most of which are tertiary amines, were tested for the formation of volatile nitrosamines by reaction with nitrite under physiological conditions; the drugs (10mM) were incubated with nitrite ( 40mM ) at pH 3.0, 37 degrees for 1 and 4 hr. The volatile nitrosamines formed were determined by gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis. Of the 28 drugs, 24 formed measurable amounts of volatile nitrosamines that are known carcinogens. The yields of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from aminopyrine (55-65%) and minocycline (11%) were higher than that from dimethylamine under the same conditions. This result suggests that there may be a pathway not involving the secondary amine (dimethylamine) as an intermediate in the formation of NDMA from minocycline as well as from aminopyrine, Tolazamide gave rise to nitrosopiperidine ( NPIP ) in addition to nitrosohexamethyleneimine ( NHXI ), formation of which was expected from the chemical structure of tolazamide, and the yield of NPIP (2-7%) was higher than that of NHXI (0.2-1.2%). Ascorbic acid ( 40mM ) was effective in decreasing the formation of nitrosamines from drugs by reaction with nitrite, although the blocking effects varied between 88 and 100% depending on the drugs tested or on the nitrosamines formed.
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D009573:Nitrites; D009602:Nitrosamines