sodium-nitrite and nitrosobenzylmethylamine

Five groups of rats (22 per group) were intubated with precursors of N-Nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBzA), i.e. methylbenzylamine (1 mmol/kg) and sodium nitrite (0.5 mmol/kg), and five varieties of Chinese tea. One positive control group was intubated with precursors of NM2A without tea and one negative control group with tap water and sodium nitrite. After 12 week's treatment, significantly less lesions and papillomas in esophageal mucosa, examined by naked eye or by microscope, were found in the tea-treated groups than in the non-tea-treated positive control group. The results confirmed the anti-tumour ability of Chinese tea by blocking the in vivo formation of NMBzA in rats.

Topics: Animals; Benzylamines; Carcinogens; Dimethylnitrosamine; Esophageal Neoplasms; Male; Papilloma; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sodium Nitrite; Tea

The concurrent administration of N-nitroso-N-methylbenzylamine (NMBA) (10 mg/l drinking water) and sodium nitrite (5 g or 1 g/kg basic diet) induces enhanced progression of esophageal tumors. Pathologic changes of the respiratory system, which do not occur with administration of NMBA alone, are also observed. These findings call for re-evaluation of the toxicological significance of nitrite.

Topics: Animals; Cocarcinogenesis; Dimethylnitrosamine; Drug Synergism; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nitrites; Rats; Respiratory System; Sodium Nitrite

Topics: Amines; Animals; Benzylamines; Carcinogens; Dimethylnitrosamine; Esophageal Neoplasms; Male; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nitrites; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sodium Nitrite; Stomach Neoplasms; Zinc

Previous studies in Linxian, an area of China with a high incidence of esophageal carcinoma, showed that fungal infections are common in the esophageal epithelium of patients with either premalignant changes or early esophageal carcinoma. Fungi of the genus Candida were the most frequent invaders. In these areas nitrate and nitrite are often present in high concentrations in drinking water and staple grains. The present studies have established the ability of Candida albicans to augment the nitrosative formation of the esophagus-specific carcinogen, benzylmethylnitrosamine (NBMA; N-nitroso-N-methylbenzylamine). Stationary C. albicans cultures, with pH held at 6.8, were incubated with the precursors of NBMA, benzylmethylamine (BMA; N-methylbenzylamine) and NaNO(2). There was a significant increase in the amount of NBMA formed in these cultures, compared to precursors-only controls. The amount of NBMA synthesized depended on fungal cell number. Exponentially growing cultures were also able to cause NBMA formation. The identity of the NBMA was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatographic coelution with authentic NBMA in three solvent systems and by mass spectroscopy. Boiled cells and conditioned medium in which cells had been incubated were not effective in enhancing nitrosation. Cultured Candida released acidic metabolites that reduced the pH of the medium when only a low concentration of buffer was present. Spontaneous nitrosation of BMA was enhanced under these acidic conditions. Thus, C. albicans infecting the esophageal epithelium could cause local formation of NBMA by both cell-mediated catalysis and extracellular decrease in pH.

Topics: Benzylamines; Biotransformation; Candida albicans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Dimethylnitrosamine; Esophageal Neoplasms; Humans; Kinetics; Mass Spectrometry; Sodium Nitrite