nitrosamines

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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.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

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.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

nitrosamines

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

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

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References in periodicals archive ?

Because nitrosamines produce biochemical changes within cells and tissues, it is conceivable that chronic exposure to low levels of nitrites and nitrosamines through processed foods, water and fertilizers is responsible for the current epidemics of these diseases and the increasing mortality rates associated with them.

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Instead, it requires bacon makers to cure their meat using ascorbic acid (or its safe relative, erythorbic acid), which inhibits the formation of nitrosamines.

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In a survey of products on the market, his group also found that snuff products have what he calls a high level of nitrosamines--17 micrograms per gram of tobacco--but he notes that this is lower than nitrosamine levels of four or five years ago.

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It's also comforting to know that the types of cancers that are linked to nitrosamines are either declining (stomach) or uncommon esophagal) in the United States.

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The current German list of TRK values (Technical Reference Concentrations) calls for a concentration of nitrosamines in the workplace of not more than 1.0 [mu]g/[m.sup.3].

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Nitrite not only adds extra sodium to the products, but it may react with other chemical-usually in the stomach to form tiny amounts of cancer causing nitrosamines. The meat industry denies there's a problem, and continues to use nitrite.

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"Most nitrosamines are potent carcinogens,' at least in animals, the researchers note.

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However, a majority of the studies focused on accelerators that produce nitrosamines considered hazardous by many occupational, environmental and government groups.

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It also is different from nitric oxide and nitrosamines.

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Nitrites, often found in processed meats such as cooked ham, bacon, hot dogs, gammon and corned beef, produce nitrosamines - chemicals which can cause certain cancers.

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Chemicals in e cigarettes are; nicotine, Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs), aldehydes and metals, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), flavours, solvent carriers, tobacco alkaloids in e-cigarette refill solutions and Phenolic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and drugs in e-cigarette refil, solutions, cartridges and aerosols.

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Nitrosamines are a family of carcinogens which are formed by the reaction of secondary amines, amides, carbamates, derivatives of urea with nitrite or other nitrogenous agents with the nitrogen in the +3 state.