Effect of disulfiram on N-nitroso-N-methylbenzylamine metabolism. Biochemical aspects.

The present biochemical experiments show that disulfiram inhibits N-nitroso-N-methylbenzylamine metabolism in the rat. More N-nitroso-N-methylbenzylamine may therefore reach extrahepatic tissues. The pathological lesions observed in the lungs in the present system can be explained by the finding that alkylation of lung DNA is increased and repair processes are impaired by enhanced cell proliferation in this organ.