Carcinogenicity in Syrian golden hamsters of N-nitrosamines formed during nitrosation of spermidine.

Several N-nitrosamines are formed during the nitrosation of the polyamines, spermidine and spermine. Since these polyamines may represent a source for the endogenous or exogenous formation of N-nitrosamines, their major nitrosation products were assayed for carcinogenicity in male Syrian golden hamsters. Administration of N-nitroso-3-butenyl(2-propenyl)amine SC once a week for life at a dose of 300 mg/kg induced neoplasms mostly in the upper respiratory tract (nasal cavity, larynx, trachea). Lung microlithiasis (alveolar and bronchial) also developed in all these animals. In contrast, N-nitroso-3-butenyl(3-hydroxypropyl)amine and N-nitroso-4-hydroxybutyl(2-propenyl)amine induced neoplasms, primarily in the digestive tract, including the nonglandular stomach, cecum, colon, and adrenal gland.