Metabolism of 15N-labelled N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitroso-N-methylaniline by isolated rat hepatocytes

The N-demethylation of ¹⁵N-labeled N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMN) and N-nitroso-N-methylaniline (NMA) by isolated rat hepatic cells has been investigated. The values obtained in this system for molecular nitrogen formed during metabolism, compared with substrate consumed, were DMN 47%, NMA 23%, and N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) 105%. The results for DMN are roughly halfway between those previously determined with rat liver S-9 fraction in vitro (33%) and in vivo (67%). For NMA, the hepatocyte data are closer to those obtained from S-9 in vitro (19%), rather than the in vivo (52%). No mixed nitrogen (¹⁵N¹⁴N) or labeled nitrogen oxides were found.