Investigation of the reaction of myosmine with sodium nitrite in vitro and in rats

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the minor tobacco alkaloid myosmine (5) reacts with NaNO2 in the presence of acid to yield 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (HPB, 8) via 4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobutanediazohydroxide (7). Intermediate 7 is also formed in the metabolism of the tobacco-specific nitrosamines N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN, 1) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK, 2), resulting in pyridyloxobutylation of DNA and Hb. These pyridyloxobutyl adducts can be quantified by analyzing HPB released upon acid treatment of DNA or base treatment of Hb. Quantitation of HPB-releasing DNA and Hb adducts has been used to assess the metabolic activation of NNN and NNK in smokers and smokeless tobacco users. Because myosmine is found in the diet as well as in tobacco products, it has been suggested that nitrosation of myosmine could lead to the formation of HPB-releasing adducts in people not exposed to tobacco products. We investigated the nitrosation of myosmine in vitro and in vivo in rats. The reaction of myosmine with NaNO2 under acidic conditions produced HPB, as previously reported. A new product was identified as 3'-oximinomyosmine (11) based on its spectral properties. NNN was not detected. Groups of rats were treated with NNN, NNK, myosmine, NaNO2, or combinations of myosmine and NaNO2. HPB-releasing Hb and DNA adducts were clearly detected in the rats treated with NNN or NNK, but we found no evidence for production of these adducts from the combination of myosmine plus NaNO2. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that exposure to dietary myosmine could lead to HPB-releasing DNA or Hb adducts in humans.

Figure 1

Chromatogram obtained upon HPLC analysis of the reaction of myosmine and NaNO₂. The reaction was carried out at pH 3.57.

Figure 2

UV spectra (20% CH₃CN in H₂O) of A) 3′-oximinomyosmine (11), B) myosmine (5), and C) HPB (8).

Figure 3

Body weights of the rats treated with NNN, NNK, myosmine, NaNO₂, and myosmine + NaNO₂ according to the study design outlined in Table 1. Symbols: ◇ NNN (group 1); ■ NNK (group 2); △ myosmine (group 3); ○ NaNO₂ (group 4); □ NaNO₂ + myosmine (high dose) (group 5); • NaNO₂ + myosmine (low dose) (group 6); ⊗ control (group 7).

Scheme 1

Metabolism of NNN and NNK, and nitrosation of myosmine, to produce intermediate 7.

Scheme 2

Hypothetical reaction of myosmine with Hb yielding 6 upon base hydrolysis.

Scheme 3

Formation of 3′-oximinomyosmine in the nitrosation of myosmine.