Carcinogenicity and Its Inhibition of 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, a Tobacco-Specific N-nitrosamine

The advancement of research work on the carcinogenicity and its inhibition of 4-(N-nitrosomethylamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a tobacco-specific N-nitrosamine, was reviewed in the present paper. Carbonyl reduction and α-hydroxylation were the major routes of NNK metabolic activation, the main target organ of NNK carcinogenicity was the lung and the carcinogenic probability related to the individual, organic isothiocyanates were the most potent inhibitors for NNK carcinogenicity. Eating more cruciferae vegetables and fruit and drinking more green and black tea would be helpful for smokers and passive smokers. Research about the nosogenesis and carcinogenicity and its inhibition of the harmful components in cigarette smoke should be further reinforced.