N-nitrosamines in the stomach with special reference to in vitro formation, and kinetics after intragastric or intravenous administration in rats.

To study the implications of nitrosation in the stomach, the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) from nitrite and secondary amines was examined in vitro under conditions simulating gastric juice. Kinetics of NDMA were investigated after intragastric or intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg of NDMA in rats. NDMA and NDEA were measured using combined gas chromatography and thermal energy analyzer. Nitrite levels in human gastric juice were less than 10 micrograms/ml. Optimal pH for nitrosation was between 2.0 to 3.5. Nitrosamine formation reached maximum concentration at 3 to 6 hours. The maximum ratios of nitrosation were 0.15 and 0.11% in NDMA/nitrite and NDEA/nitrite, respectively. In the kinetic study, the highest blood levels of NDMA were observed at 5 min, reaching 174 +/- 40 and 374 +/- 40 ng/ml after administration into the stomach and duodenum, respectively. Then they decreased exponentially and were not detectable after 4 hours. Tissue levels of NDMA in the liver, spleen, kidney, lung and brain showed 70% of the blood levels. Urinary excretion of intravenously administered NDMA during the first 4 hours was less than 0.2%. These results supported the hypothesis that nitrosation occurred in gastric juice under optimal conditions, and indicated that nitrite levels were the limiting factor for nitrosation. Quick disappearance from the gastrointestinal tract suggested that the pathologic implication of nitrosamines formed in the stomach could be important for other organs.