Comparative Cytopathologic Alterations Induced by Alkylnitrosamines in Nasal Epithelium of the Syrian Hamster

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), administered parenterally into the Syrian golden hamster, produced olfactory epithelial necrosis in concentrations greater than 10 mg/kg within 48 hours. The severity of the necrosis was dose related. Both compounds were equally effective in producing olfactory epithelial necrosis when compared on the basis of mg of compound administered per kg of body weight. However, from their LD50 levels, DEN was a far more “effective” nasal toxin. Alterations in the olfactory epithelium produced by DMN were always paralleled by necrotizing central lobular changes in the liver. DEN-dosed animals had pronounced olfactory epithelial alterations with little or no hepatic changes. Both compounds exhibited remarkable selective toxicity for the olfactory epithelium, especially the sensory cells. The cytopathologic alterations appeared identical, regardless of the compound used. Respiratory type epithelium of the nasal cavity and Jacobson's organ were relatively resistant to the acute cytopathologic effect of these compounds.