The effect of 1-methoxypropylpropylnitrosamine in Syrian golden hamsters.

The carcinogenicity of the alpha-dipropylnitrosamine (DPN) methyl-ether, 1-methoxypropylpropylnitrosamine (1-MPPN), was investigated in Syrian hamsters for comparison with the effect of the alpha-DPN acetylester, 1-acetoxypropylpropylnitrosamine (1-APPN). It seemed possible that 1-MPPN, 1-APPN and DPN could form a common intermediate. However, contrary to the effect of 1-APPN, no tumors were found at the injection site after subcutaneous 1-MPPN treatment. The main target organ for 1-MPPN was the respiratory tract (as with DPN) and the lungs were greatly affected. In addition, pharyngeal and forestomach tumors occurred, and these were not observed after DPN administration. The results of 1-MPPN treatment, relative to DPN and 1-APPN, are discussed.