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Carcinogenic Nitrosamines formed by Drug/Nitrite Interactions

Nature volume 239, pages 165–167 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

NITROSAMINES are compounds with broad carcinogenic activity in many animal species, but have seldom been detected in the environment in significant quantities. Man may nevertheless be exposed to nitrosamines formed in vivo from ingested nitrite and secondary amines1–3. Nitrite is a common constituent of the diet, as are several secondary amines4. Since tertiary amines can also react with nitrite5 in the mildly acid conditions of the mammalian stomach, the exposure of man to the many tertiary nitrogen compounds which are drugs6 must also be considered.

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Author notes

  1. WILLIAM LIJINSKY

    Present address: Biology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37830

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68105

    WILLIAM LIJINSKY, EVELYN CONRAD & ROSALIE VAN DE BOGART

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  1. WILLIAM LIJINSKY
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  2. EVELYN CONRAD
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  3. ROSALIE VAN DE BOGART
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LIJINSKY, W., CONRAD, E. & VAN DE BOGART, R. Carcinogenic Nitrosamines formed by Drug/Nitrite Interactions. Nature 239, 165–167 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/239165b0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/239165b0

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