Synthesis of Hepatotoxic Agents in Germfree and Conventional Mice Which Had Been Fed NaNO 2 and Dimethylamine 1

Abstract

Summary

In vivo production of toxic agent(s) was demonstrated in GF and conventional mice by feeding them subtoxic doses of NaNO₂ and dimethylamine. Two effects were demonstrated in the mice: acute deaths in some of them within 24 hr after administration of the two drugs; and extensive necrosis in the livers of survivors which were examined 3 days later. GF CFW mice were more sensitive to the toxic effects of NaNO₂ than conventional CFW mice, and conventional and GF Swiss-Webster mice. The microbial flora has been excluded as having a role in the in vivo synthesis of this toxic agent (s), which we assume to be nitro-soamine.