Abstract
The tobacco-specific, nicotine-derived nitrosamines 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) are among the most important carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Treatment of Fischer 344 rats with these carcinogens resulted in alkylation of haemoglobin and DNA by the 4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobutyl group formed during their metabolism. This alkyl group can be detached from globin or DNA under mild hydrolytic conditions as 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, which appears to be a potentially useful dosimeter for human exposure to, and activation of, tobacco-specific nitrosamines.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 121-128 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | IARC scientific publications |
Issue number | 89 |
State | Published - 1988 |
Externally published | Yes |