The effects of ascorbic acid deficiency and excess on the metabolism and toxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodiethylamine in the guinea pig.

The influence of ascorbate deficiency and megadosage on the metabolism of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) was investigated in the guinea pig. After 21 days on a scorbutogenic diet, microsomal cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5 levels fell by 51 and 32%, respectively, while cytochrome c reductase activity remained constant. The activities of NDMA and NDEA dealkylase I were also depressed significantly. The Vmax of NDMA demethylase I and NDEA deethylase I was significantly depressed. Also, ascorbate deficiency significantly decreased the plasma clearance of both nitrosamines though the LD50 of neither were altered by ascorbate nutrition. Covalent binding of 14C from [14C]NDMA and [14C]NDEA to DNA obtained from liver slices was significantly lower in the deficient than in the control samples; megadosage appeared to have the opposite effect.