nitrosamines


ni·tros·a·mines

(nī-trōs'am-ēnz), Amines substituted by a nitroso (NO) group, usually on a nitrogen atom, to yield N-nitrosamines; can be formed by direct combination of an amine and nitrous acid (can be formed from nitrites in the acidic gastric juice); some are mutagenic and/or carcinogenic.

nitrosamines

A class of complex organic nitrogen molecules formed in the stomach by a reaction between nitrites and the amine groups of certain proteins, or else ingested pre-formed in beer and certain drugs or absorbed from cigarette smoke (the nitrosamine levels in smokers is up to eight times that of nonsmokers). Nitrosamines are carcinogenic, and are implicated in cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, nasopharynx and urinary bladder; the reaction between of nitrites and amines can be inhibited with antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and others.

nitrosamines

Clinical toxicology A class of complex organic nitrogen molecules, formed in the stomach by a reaction between nitrites and the amine groups of certain proteins, or ingested preformed in beer and certain drugs, or absorbed from cigarette smoke–the nitrosamine levels in smokers is up to 8-fold that of nonsmokers; the reaction between nitrites and amines can be inhibited with antioxidants–eg, vitamins C and E, etc; nitrosamines are implicated in CA of stomach, esophagus, nasopharynx, urinary bladder, etc. Cf Nitrates, Nitrites, Nitrogen, Sodium nitrate.

ni·tro·sa·mines

(nī-trō'să-mēnz) Carcinogenic chemical compounds produced when nitrite, a preservative typically added to certain foods (especially beer, fish, fish byproducts, and certain types of meat and cheese products), combines with amino acids in the stomach. Nitrosamines can also be found in tobacco smoke and latex products.

nitrosamines

Nitrosylated secondary amines some of which can cause cancer by decomposing to form ALKYLATING AGENTS.

ni·tro·sa·mines

(nī-trō'să-mēnz) Amines substituted by a nitroso (NO) group, usually on a nitrogen atom, to yield N-nitrosamines; some are mutagenic and/or carcinogenic.