Induction of repair synthesis of DNA in primary cultures of rat urothelial cells by derivatives of the bladder carcinogen, N-n-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine

Urinary metabolites of N-n-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BHBN) which have been identified thus far did not induce repair synthesis of DNA in cultured rat urothelial cells. Urine of rats which had been administered with BHBN or BCPN did not induce repair synthesis of DNA either. However, all the synthetic nitrosamines that can produce 1-hydroxyalkylnitrosamine intermediates induced repair synthesis of DNA. The results suggest that rat urothelial cells, at best, may only have very limited capability of activating nitrosamines.