Extrahepatic sites of metabolism of N-nitrosopyrrolidine in mice and rats

Abstract

1. By the use of whole-body autoradiography, the localization of N-nitroso[¹⁴C]pyrrolidine and its metabolites was demonstrated in the tissues of C57B1-mice and Sprague—Dawley rats.

2. On the basis of the autoradiorgraphic data, tissues were selected and tested for their ability to metabolize N-nitroso[¹⁴C]pyrrolidine to ¹⁴CO₂ and tissue-bound metabolites.

3. The results indicated that only a few tissues had a marked ability to degrade N-nitrosopyrrolidine. These were the liver and the nasal mucosa in both species, the tracheo-bronchial mucosa in mice, and to a lower extent the kidneys in both species.