Formation of Nitrosamines from Sodium Nitroprusside and Physiological Amines

Several physiological components containing a secondary amino group were capable of reacting sodium nitroprusside to form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines under physiological conditions (pH 7.3, 37). In each case the products were identical to those produced upon reaction with nitrous acid at much lower pH values. Reaction rates measured with proline were shown to reflect a first order dependence on both amine and nitroprusside concentrations. The strong influences of pH on the reactions of sodium nitro prusside with amines were also observed. These results show sodium nitroprusside could be a very potent nitrosation agent under physiological conditions.