METABOLIC-FATE OF N-BUTYL-N-(4-HYDROXYBUTYL)NITROSAMINE IN THE RAT

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 71  (6) , 856-862
Abstract
The metabolic fate of N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) was studied in the rat, to investigate the possibility of a relationship between urinary metabolites and organotropic carcinogenicity to the urinary bladder of this N-nitrosamine. The principal urinary metabolite of BBN was identified as N-butyl-N-(3-carboxypropyl)nitrosamine (BCPN). Several minor metabolites characterized were transformation products of BCPN formed by .beta.-oxidation according to the Knoop mechanism, i.e., N-butyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-carboxypropyl)nitrosamine, N-butyl-N-(carboxymethyl)nitrosamine and N-butyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)nitrosamine; glucuronic acid conjugates of BBN and BCPN were also detected. No BBN was detected in the urine. A possible correlation of the urinary excretion of BCPN with selective induction of bladder tumors by BBN in rats is discussed in relation to the carcinogenic action of BCPN.