Structure-activity relationships of nitrosamines and nitramines which stimulate UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities in vitro

Examination of twelve nitrosamines and seven nitramines revealed that nitramines modify UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in a manner similar to that of nitrosamines. Only N,N-diethyl-substituted nitrosamine and nitramine significantly stimulated transferase activity toward 2-aminophenol and 4-nitrophenol but not toward phenolphthalein and androsterone. Elongation of the alkyl chains or introduction of carboxy, hydroxy, or oxo groups into the alkyl chains did not result in stimulatory ability, and some of these compounds inhibited the transferase activity.