[Risk of endogenous N-nitrosodimethylamine formed by dimethylamine in rats--precursors stability]

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a potential carcinogen and present in our surroundings widely. NDMA can be formed by many precursors, Dimethylamine (DMA) is the most common precursor in food. To evaluate the risk of DMA nitrosation in vivo, so that men can do their best to reduce endogenous nitrosamine exposure, we carried out this research. This paper is the first part of our research. The stabilities of DMA and nitrite in the stomach were studied. DMA was stable and nitrite was decomposed at the speed of second-order reaction. The stabilities of nitrite in simulate gastric acid and in ascorbic (VC) solution also were studied. Nitrite decomposition in simulate gastric acid was very similar to the one in the stomach. VC solution at the equimolar with nitrite can decompose 53-79% of nitrite in one minute with shaking. We suggested that the efficiency of VC inhibiting endogenous nitrosation can be estimated on the basis of decomposing speed of nitrite and nitrosating speed by nitrite.