Carcinogenic activity of endogenously synthesized N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in rats.

The carcinogenic activity of endogenously synthesized N-nitroso-bis(2-hydroxy-propyl)amine (NDHPA) was investigated in male Wistar rats administered bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (DHPA), mixed into a powdered diet at a concentration of 1%, and NaNO2 dissolved in distilled water at concentrations of 0.15% and 0.3%, for 94 weeks. Urinary excretion of NDHPA clearly demonstrated its endogenous synthesis in rats given 1% DHPA and 0.3% NaNO2, but not in the groups receiving either of these precursors alone. Tumours of the nasal cavity, lung, oesophagus, liver and urinary bladder were found in rats treated with 1% DHPA and 0.15% or 0.3% NaNO2. The incidences of nasal cavity and lung tumours reached 74% and 58% respectively, in rats given 1% DHPA and 0.3% NaNO2. The tumour distribution was almost the same as that seen in rats given NDHPA. These results indicate that endogenously synthesized NDHPA has similar carcinogenic activity to exogenously administered NDHPA in rats.