Mutagenicity of some alkyl nitrites used as recreational drugs

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2850140207· OSTI ID:6832999

Dunkel, V C; Cameron, T P ^[1]; Rogers-Back, A M; Lawlor, T E; Harbell, J W ^[2]

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1. National Institute of Health, Bethesda (USA)
2. Microbiological Associates Inc., Rockville, MD (USA)

When the AIDS epidemic was in its earliest stages, and prior to identification of HIV as the etiological factor, the use of volatile nitrites by the male homosexual community to enhance sexual activities appeared to have a significant role in this disease. Preliminary observations indicated that that portion of the male homosexual community which developed Kaposi's sarcoma were also heavy nitrite users. These nitrites had been demonstrated to be mutagenic in bacteria and thus it was postulated that they could be responsible for the appearance of the sarcoma. To evaluate further the genotoxic activity of these chemicals, six nitrites, including those most commonly used by homosexuals for sexual gratification, were selected for testing in the mouse lymphoma TK {plus minus} and Salmonell typhimurium mutagenicity assays. One chemical, n-amyl nitrite, was negative in the mouse lymphoma assay, while the other five chemicals, n-butyl, isobutyl, iso-amyl, sec-butyl, and n-propyl nitrite, were positive. All six compounds were positive in the Salmonella assay. The mutagenic and known toxic effects of these chemicals remain a concern because a large population of teenagers and young adults continue to abuse these substances.

• OSTI ID: 6832999
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis; (USA), Vol. 14:2; ISSN 0893-6692
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIDS
ETIOLOGY
NITRITES
GENETIC EFFECTS
REVERTANTS
MUTATION FREQUENCY
LYMPHOMAS
MICE
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
MUTAGENESIS
SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM
SARCOMAS
TOXICITY
TUMOR CELLS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DISEASES
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISEASES
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
MAMMALS
MICROORGANISMS
MUTANTS
NEOPLASMS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RODENTS
SALMONELLA
VERTEBRATES
VIRAL DISEASES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology