Direct alkyl chain cleavage after C-hydroxylation of dialkylnitrosamines in rats. A new pathway of the oxidative biotransformation.

Comparative in vivo investigations on the biotransformation of di-n-butylnitrosamine (DBNA) and (2-hydroxybutyl)-n-butylnitrosamine (HBBNA) showed the known omega-oxidation. However, a new metabolic mechanism of direct oxidative alkyl chain cleavage in the vicinity of the hydroxy group of HBBNA could be demonstrated.