In vitro nitrosation of methapyrilene.

The reactions of sodium nitrite and methapyrilene were studied in aqueous solution at neutral pH and under simulated gastric fluid conditions. Reaction product formation was much more complex than nitrosation of the parent molecule dimethylamino moiety to form nitrosodimethylamine. Several new nitroso compounds were formed under the reaction conditions studied. The simultaneous incorporation of 2 moles of ascorbic acid/mole of nitrite ion prevented any destruction of methapyrilene under all conditions studied. The implications of these observations with respect to nitrosation theory, the general carcinogenicity of nitroso compounds, and methapyrilene dosage formulation are discussed.