The degradation of azonaphthalenes by liver homogenates

Abstract

The object of study is the degradation of the 2-2'azonaphthalene and of the 1-1'azonaphtalene by homogenates of the liver of rats. After incubation for two hours at 37°, an investigation is made into the apparition of colour in the filters of the precipitation with ethanol by the addition of sulphanilic acid, nitrite and acetic acid. The results suggest the reductive unfolding of the azo bridge with the collaboration of two enzymatic systems.

The degradation of the 1-1’azonaphthaÍene would produce noncancerigenous naphthylamine, while that of the 2-2'azonaphthalene would produce cancerigenous naphthylamine, which would explain the production of cancer of the liver by 2-2'azonaphthalene, injected by whatsoever way.