Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO201:20

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2

5.9K
Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.
5.9K
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

2.2K
Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
2.2K
Spontaneous and Induced Mutations01:30

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations

3.3K
Spontaneous mutations arise infrequently during DNA replication due to errors in the process. A key factor behind these errors is tautomeric shifts in nitrogenous bases, where bases transition from keto to enol forms or amino to imino forms. This shift can alter base-pairing rules, leading to mutations. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) arising from aerobic metabolism can damage DNA, resulting in depurination (loss of a purine base) or depyrimidination (loss of a pyrimidine base).
3.3K
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview01:26

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview

4.1K
Nitrous acid and nitric acids are two types of acids containing nitrogen, among which nitrous acid is weaker than nitric acid. Nitrous acid with a pKa value of 3.37 ionizes in water to give a nitrite ion and the hydronium ion.
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by...
4.1K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

Nucleotide Excision Repair

5.9K
DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
5.9K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

42.8K
Overview
42.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Correction: Programmed cell death and redox metabolism protect Chlamydomonas reinhardtii populations from the galactic cosmic environment on the Artemis-1 mission.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Programmed cell death and redox metabolism protect Chlamydomonas reinhardtii populations from the galactic cosmic environment on the Artemis-1 mission.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Author Correction: Cell spinpods are a simple inexpensive suspension culture device to deliver fluid shear stress to renal proximal tubular cells.

Scientific reports·2021
Same author

Cell spinpods are a simple inexpensive suspension culture device to deliver fluid shear stress to renal proximal tubular cells.

Scientific reports·2021
Same author

Role of Shear Stress on Renal Proximal Tubular Cells for Nephrotoxicity Assays.

Journal of toxicology·2021
Same author

Physical Forces Modulate Oxidative Status and Stress Defense Meditated Metabolic Adaptation of Yeast Colonies: Spaceflight and Microgravity Simulations.

Microgravity science and technology·2019

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

A General Method for Detecting Nitrosamide Formation in the In Vitro Metabolism of Nitrosamines by Cytochrome P450s
07:38

A General Method for Detecting Nitrosamide Formation in the In Vitro Metabolism of Nitrosamines by Cytochrome P450s

Published on: September 25, 2017

10.8K

Is nitrous oxide a genotoxic carcinogen?

Michael R O'Donovan1, Timothy G Hammond2

  • 1O'Donovan GT Consulting Ltd, Epperstone, Nottingham NG14 6AG, UK and Preclinical Safety Consulting Ltd, Ticknell, Loughborough DE73 7JJ, UK mrodonovan@btinternet.com.

Mutagenesis
|April 9, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a widely used anesthetic. While some studies suggest weak genotoxicity, evidence indicates no direct DNA reactivity, posing no significant carcinogenic risk for patients or staff.

More Related Videos

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling
09:33

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling

Published on: March 20, 2018

14.5K
Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter
12:15

Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter

Published on: May 29, 2019

9.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2026

A General Method for Detecting Nitrosamide Formation in the In Vitro Metabolism of Nitrosamines by Cytochrome P450s
07:38

A General Method for Detecting Nitrosamide Formation in the In Vitro Metabolism of Nitrosamines by Cytochrome P450s

Published on: September 25, 2017

10.8K
Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling
09:33

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling

Published on: March 20, 2018

14.5K
Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter
12:15

Quantification of three DNA Lesions by Mass Spectrometry and Assessment of Their Levels in Tissues of Mice Exposed to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter

Published on: May 29, 2019

9.3K

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Toxicology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been a staple anesthetic for over 150 years.
  • Recent studies questioned its safety due to potential DNA damage in surgical patients.
  • This concern necessitates a thorough risk assessment considering all available evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the genotoxic and carcinogenic risks associated with nitrous oxide (N2O) exposure.
  • To critically assess existing data on N2O's potential to cause DNA damage.
  • To determine the safety of N2O for both patient anesthesia and healthcare staff exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Review and analysis of existing studies on N2O genotoxicity.
  • Inclusion of in vitro data (Ames test, hprt assay) and in vivo animal carcinogenicity studies.
  • Comparison of N2O's genotoxic profile with other anesthetics like isoflurane and sevoflurane.

Main Results:

  • Suggested genotoxic mechanisms for N2O are indirect (folate deficiency, oxidative stress, homocysteine toxicity) and appear to have thresholds.
  • In vitro studies showed no direct DNA reactivity of N2O.
  • Animal studies did not provide evidence of carcinogenicity.
  • Observed genotoxicity in humans is weak and comparable to other anesthetics.

Conclusions:

  • N2O exhibits no direct DNA reactivity.
  • Potential genotoxic effects are indirect and likely possess a threshold.
  • Neither patient nor staff exposure to N2O presents a significant carcinogenic risk within recommended limits.