Carcinogenic Effect of Dipropylnitrosamine and Compounds Related by β-Oxidation2

Abstract

Dipropylnitrosamine injected subcutaneously once weekly for life into Syrian golden hamsters caused a 100% tumor incidence in the respiratory system. The β-hydroxylated compound (2-hydroxypropyl) propylnitrosamine and the β-oxidized compound (2-oxopropyl) propylnitrosamine, administered by the same route and frequency, showed the same effects. Methylpropylnitrosamine injected subcutaneously once weekly for life led to similar results. From these findings it was assumed that, in addition to α-hydroxylation, metabolism by β-hydroxylation might be associated with the carcinogenic effect of dipropylnitrosamine.