Photomutagenicity of N-nitrosoproline dissolved in non-aqueous solvent, oleic acid

In the present study, we investigated the genotoxicity of the active products formed from N-nitrosoproline (NPRO) dissolved in oleic acid following ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation, bypassing the need for metabolic activation. We previously demonstrated the photomutagenicity of NPRO dissolved in a phosphate-buffered solution. It has been suggested that the association of the nitrosamine group with acid ions facilitates rapid photodissociation and photoactivation. We hypothesized that NPRO’s inherent carboxyl group may mimic an acid, inducing photodissociation and photomutagenicity, even in a non-aqueous solvent lacking acidic ions. Following UVA irradiation, NPRO dissolved in oleic acid exhibited a dose-dependent mutagenic activity. Similar results were obtained when NPRO was dissolved in linoleic acid and triolein. Nitric oxide formation, which is dependent on NPRO concentration, is accompanied by mutagenic activity. The mutagenicity spectrum obtained in response to NPRO irradiation followed the absorption curve of NPRO dissolved in oleic acid. Irradiated NPRO in oleic acid displayed relative stability, retaining approximately 18, 36, and 63 % of initial mutagenicity after 10 days of storage at 25, 4, and −20 °C, respectively. Thus NPRO stored in a fatty environment undergoes photoactivation upon irradiation, leading to genotoxicity.