Formation of a diazonium cation intermediate in the metabolism of sulphamethazine to desaminosulphamethazine in the rat

14C-Sulphamethazinediazonium tetrafluoroborate (14C-SDTFB) when orally administered to rats was converted primarily to 14C-labelled desaminosulphamethazine (desaminosulmet) and methanol-insoluble residues in the gastrointestinal tract (gut). 14C-labelled sulphamethazine (sulmet), N4-acetylsulmet, the N4-glucose conjugate of sulmet and other unidentified products were also observed in the tissues and urine of rats given 14C-SDTFB. 2. When 14C-sulmet, nitrite and dimethylaniline were simultaneously administered to a rat by the oral route, one of the 14C-labelled products formed in the stomach was isolated and identified as 4-dimethylaminophenyl [4-(N-4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)sulphamidophenyl] diazene, providing evidence that 14C-sulmet was diazotized in the stomach of the animal. 3. SDTFB was weakly mutagenic when evaluated by the Ames test. 4. The methanol-insoluble 14C-labelled residues in the gut of rats dosed orally with 14C-SDTFB and 14C-sulmet + nitrite were partially converted to 14C-labelled desaminosulmet, sulmet, N4-acetylsulmet and other unidentified products when fed to recipient rats.     

Metabolism of 1,3-di-(4-[N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)sulphamoyl] phenyl)triazene (DDPSPT) in the rat

1. Six hours after rats were orally dosed with 1,3-di-(4-[N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)sulphamoyl][U-14C]phenyl) triazene (14C-DDPSPT), approx. 81% of the 14C remained in the gastrointestinal tract (gut) and less than 3% was excreted in the urine. 2. Six hours after dosing, more than half of the 14C in the gut was present as DDPSPT. 14C-Labelled metabolites in the gut included 4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-benzenesulphonamide (Sulmet), N4-glucosyl-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulphonamide (N4-gluc-Sulmet), 4-acetamido-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulphonamide (N4-acetyl-Sulmet), and [N-4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl) benzenesulphonamide] (desamino-Sulmet). 3. 14C-Labelled compounds in the blood, liver and skeletal muscle included DDPSPT, Sulmet, N4-gluc-Sulmet, N4-acetyl-Sulmet and desamino-Sulmet. 4. There was little or no reaction of DDPSPT with cysteine, bovine serum albumin, AMP, GMP, or calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid in vitro (pH 3, 5, 7 or 8).     

The effect of dietary nitrite and nitrate on the metabolism of sulphamethazine in the rat

Rats given 100 p.p.m. of 14C-sulphamethazine [4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene[U-14C]sulphonamide] in the diet excreted less 14C-activity in the urine as the amount of nitrite (0 to 1000 p.p.m.), but not nitrate (3730 p.p.m.), in the diet was increased. As the level of nitrite, but not nitrate, was increased, there was a concomitant increase in the amount of 14C-desaminosulphamethazine (4-[(N-4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene-[U-14C]-sulphonamide in the blood, liver, skeletal muscle and gastrointestinal tract. As the level of nitrite, but not nitrate, supplementation was increased, the amount of methanol-insoluble 14C-activity in the gastrointestinal tract increased but the amount of insoluble 14C-activity in the blood, skeletal muscle and liver was not changed.     

The disposition of N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene[U-14C]sulfonamide in the rat

Rats given a single oral dose of N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene[U-14C]sulfonamide (14C-DAS) excreted 64.2% of the 14C in the urine and 22.4% in the feces within 96 hr. Compounds accounting for 86% of the 14C in the 0-24-hr urine were isolated by a variety of chromatographic techniques and identified by IR, NMR, and MS analysis. Approximately 4% of the 14C in the urine was the parent compound. The structures of 14C-metabolites in the urine indicated that 14C-DAS was metabolized by at least three pathways which included: 1) hydroxylation and glucuronic acid conjugation at the 4-position of the benzene ring; 2) hydroxylation, and sulfate ester and glucuronic acid conjugation at the 5-position on the heterocyclic ring; and 3) hydroxylation and glucuronic acid conjugation of one methyl group on the heterocyclic ring.     

Steady state kinetics of 14C-sulfamethazine [4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene[U-14C]sulfonamide] metabolism in swine

Swine were dosed orally with 14C-sulfamethazine [4-amino-N-(4, 6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene[U-14C]sulfonamide] for 3, 5, or 7 days (two 165-mg doses/day; 0.46 muCi/mg) and killed 8 hr after the last dose. The concentration of carbon-14 in the tissues increased by an average of 21% from day 3 to day 5 of dosing. However, there was no further increase from day 5 to day 7, indicating that a steady state level of carbon-14 in the tissues was attained by dosing on 5 consecutive days. Liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, blood, and adipose tissue from all animals were analyzed for 14C-labeled sulfamethazine, N4-acetylsulfamethazine, desaminosulfamethazine [N-(4, 6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulfonamide], and the N4-glucose conjugate of sulfamethazine. The identity of these compounds (the hydrolysis product of N4-glucose conjugate) was confirmed by HLPC and gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectral analysis after methylation. The relative distribution of 14C-sulfamethazine and these metabolites varied somewhat among the tissues analyzed but did not vary within a tissue after different periods of dosing.     

Characterization of products formed by the reaction of 14C-sulphamethazinediazonium tetrafluoroborate with natural products

1. When bovine serum albumin (BSA) was incubated with 4-[N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)sulphonamido] [U-14C]benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate (14C-SDTFB) in vitro approx. half of the 14C-activity was bound (14C-BSA). Cysteine, N-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide inhibited the formation of 14C-BSA. 2. When SDTFB was reacted with cysteine four major products were formed. These were identified as 3-(4-[N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulphonamido] diazothio)-2-aminopropionic acid (cys-SDAS), 3-(4-[4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl) benzenesulphonamido]thio)-2-aminopropionic acid (cys-Sulmet), 4-hydroxy-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulphonamide (hydroxy-Sulmet) and N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulphonamide (desamino-Sulmet). Diazosulphides were also formed when SDTFB was incubated with thiophenol and glutathione. 3. The diazosulphides reacted with N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) and 2-naphthol to yield diazo compounds in 22-29% yield; when 14C-BSA was reacted with DMA under the same conditions, a diazo compound was formed-but only in 2% yield. 4. Cys-SDAS when incubated overnight (approx. 16 h) in aqueous solutions (pH 3, 5 and 8) decomposed to yield desamino-Sulmet (30-39%), hydroxy-Sulmet (13-21%), and other unidentified soluble products (24-36%); when 14C-BSA was incubated under the same conditions only 3-4% of the 14C became dissociated from BSA and only a trace amount of desamino-Sulmet was formed. 5. When 14C-SDTFB was incubated with calf thymus DNA at pH3, some of the 14C became associated with the DNA (14C-DNA). However, most of the 14C became dissociated from 14C-DNA when the latter was incubated overnight in aqueous solutions; a minor dissociation product was identified as 14C-desamino-Sulmet.     

Depletion kinetics of 14C-sulfamethazine [4-amino-N-(4, 6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene[U-14C]sulfonamide] metabolism in swine

Swine weighing 60-70 kg were orally administered 14C-sulfamethazine [4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene[U-14C]sulfonamide] at 12-hr intervals for 7 days (165 mg/dose; 0.126-5.04 mCi/mmol). The animals were sacrificed at 8 hr or 2, 5, or 10 days after the last dose was given and tissues were assayed for total 14C activity. The presence of 14C-labeled sulfamethazine, N4-acetylsulfamethazine, desaminosulfamethazine, and the N4-glucose conjugate of sulfamethazine in blood, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue was verified by HPLC and GC-MS analysis. Total 14C residue levels in all tissues examined had dropped to less than 0.1 ppm sulfamethazine equivalents by day 10 of the depletion period. The mean half-life (t1/2) for sulfamethazine, the N4-glucose conjugate of sulfamethazine, and N4-acetylsulfamethazine was estimated to be 0.8 day. In some tissues, the depletion of the N4-glucose conjugate of sulfamethazine and N4-acetylsulfamethazine had decreased significantly between days 5 and 10, resulting in an approximate doubling of the t1/2 for that period. In contrast, the half-life of desaminosulfamethazine varied from a mean of 0.96 day during the 8-hr-5-day depletion period to 3.7-9.1 days during the 5- 10-day depletion period. In most tissues, the t1/2 for the 14C-activity in the methanol-insoluble fraction increased by 3-5-fold between days 5 and 10 of the depletion period. No predictable relationship was observed between blood sulfamethazine or metabolite levels and total residue levels in the tissues.     

Formation of a diazonium cation intermediate in the metabolism of sulphamethazine to desaminosulphamethazine in the rat

¹⁴C-Sulphamethazinediazonium tetrafluoroborate (¹⁴C-SDTFB) when orally administered to rats was converted primarily to ¹⁴C-labelled desaminosulphamethazine (desaminosulmet) and methanol-insoluble residues in the gastrointestinal tract (gut). ¹⁴C-labelled sulphamethazine (sulmet), N⁴-acetylsulmet, the N⁴-glucose conjugate of sulmet and other unidentified products were also observed in the tissues and urine of rats given ¹⁴C-SDTFB.

2. When ¹⁴C-sulmet, nitrite and dimethylaniline were simultaneously administered to a rat by the oral route, one of the ¹⁴C-labelled products formed in the stomach was isolated and identified as 4-dimethylaminophenyl[4-(N-4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)sulphamidophenyl]diazene, providing evidence that ¹⁴C-sulmet was diazotized in the stomach of the animal.

3. SDTFB was weakly mutagenic when evaluated by the Ames test.

4. The methanol-insoluble ¹⁴C-labelled residues in the gut of rats dosed orally with ¹⁴C-SDTFB and ¹⁴C-sulmet + nitrite were partially converted to ¹⁴C-labelled desaminosulmet, sulmet, N⁴-acetylsulmet and other unidentified products when fed to recipient rats.     

The isolation and identification of 14C-sulfamethazine (4-amino-n-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)[14C]benzenesulfonamide) metabolites in the tissues and excreta of swine

Pigs were given a single oral dose of 14C-sulfamethazine (4-amino-N(I4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)[14C]benzenesulfonamide). Approximately 78% of the 14C was eliminated in the urine and 18% was eliminated in the feces within 192 hr after dosing. The percentage of the 14C remaining in the animals after dosing was as follows: 6 hr, 88%; 24 hr, 49%; 48 hr, 14%; 192 hr, less than 1%. The 14C-labeled compounds in the tissues and excreta were isolated by solvent extraction and by conventional and high-pressure liquid chromatography, and then derivatized and characterized by infrared and mass-spectral analysis. Chemical structures were confirmed by synthesis. The major 14C-labeled compounds in the skeletal muscle, liver and kidney were identified as sulfamethazine, N4-acetylsulfamethazine, the N4-glucose conjugate of sulfamethazine, and N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulfonamide (desaminosulfamethazine). The major 14C-labeled compounds in the urine and feces were identified as sulfamethazine and N4-acetylsulfamethazine.     

The effect of nitrite on 14C-sulphathiazole (4-amino-N-2-thiazolyl[U-14C]benzenesulphonamide) metabolism in the rat

1. Rats given a meal containing 613 p.p.m. of 14C-sulphathiazole (4-amino-N-2-thiazolyl[14C]benzenesulphonamide) excreted less 14C-activity in urine and more 14C-activity in faeces as nitrite in the meal was increased (0, 10, 100 or 1000 p.p.m.). As nitrite in the meal was increased from 0 to 1000 p.p.m. the total 14C-residues in the gastrointestinal tract six hours after dosing increased, but decreased in other tissues. 2. High nitrite in the meal resulted in increased methanol insoluble 14C-activity in the gastrointestinal tract but had little or no effect on the methanol-insoluble activity in liver and blood. 3. Conversion of 14C-sulphathiazole to 14C-desaminosulphathiazole (N-2-thiazolyl[U-14C]benzenesulphonamide) in the rat was greatly increased by nitrite in the meal.     

Lactose conjugation of sulphonamide drugs in the lactating dairy cow.

1. 14C-Sulphamethazine (4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)benzene-[U-14C]-sulphonamide; 220 mg/kg of body weight) was given orally or i.v. to lactating dairy cows. Milk collected from 0-48 h after dosing accounted for 2.0% (oral dose) and 1.1% (i.v. dose) of the total 14C-activity administered. 2. Sulphamethazine accounted for 70-79% (oral dose) and 54-75% (i.v. dose) of the total 14C in milk samples collected from 0-48 h after dosing. N4-acetylsulphamethazine accounted for 1-2% (oral dose) and 1-4% (i.v. dose) of the 14C in milk. 3. The major 14C-labelled metabolite in the milk was isolated and identified as the N4-lactose conjugate of sulphamethazine, a unique type of metabolite not previously reported. This metabolite accounted for 10-14% (oral dose) and 9-20% (i.v. dose) of the 14C-activity in the milk collected from 0-48 h after dosing with 14C-sulphamethazine. 4. N4-lactose conjugates of sulphapyridine, sulphamerazine, sulphathiazole, sulphadimethoxine and sulphaquinoxaline were present in the milk from cows orally dosed with these five sulphonamide drugs.     

In vitro formation of a triazene compound by reaction of sulphadimidine and nitrite

The interaction between the veterinary drug sodium sulphadimidine and nitrite has been studied under acid conditions and the formation of 1,3-di-(4-[N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)sulphamoylphenyl)triazene (DDPSPT) was demonstrated. This compound was not mutagenic when tested on Salmonella typhimurium and Drosophila melanogaster. In addition to the formation of DDPSPT, desaminosulphadimidine was identified as a minor reaction product.     

Radiosynthesis of [14C]acarbose

Acarbose (O-4,6-dideoxy-4-[[(1S, 4R, 5S, 6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3- (hydroxymethyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]amino]-a-D-glucopyranosyl-(1---- 4)-O-a-D- glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-4-glucopyranose, Bay g 5421), an a-glucosidase inhibitor from Actinoplanes, has been developed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. To investigate the pharmacokinetics and the biotransformation, 14C-labelled acarbose ([14C]Bay g 5421) was required. About 37 GBq (1 Ci) D-[U-14C]glucose was used as a precursor to obtain [14C]acarbose with a radiochemical yield of between 1.58 and 2.56%. For fermentation purposes resting cells of the Actinoplanes mutant SN 1667/47 were used under cometabolism conditions with a 10-fold excess of maltose. The specific radioactivities achieved in individual preparations were 7.77 MBq/mg (210 microCi/mg), 8.03 MBq/mg (217 microCi/mg), and 9.14 MBq/mg (247 microCi/mg), with a radiochemical purity of greater than 98% in each case. By hydrolysis and subsequent investigation of the hydrolysis products it was shown that [14C]carbon atoms originating from the radioactive glucose are present only in the core and not in the maltose unit of [14C]acarbose.     

Synthesis of [carbonyl-14C]sparfloxacin.

A new antimicrobial quinolone, sparfloxacin (5-amino-1-cyclopropyl-7- (cis-3,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline -3- carboxylic acid, AT-4140; CAS 110871-86-8), was labeled by 14C for studies of disposition and metabolism. Ethyl pentafluoro[carbonyl-14C]benzoylacetate (I) was reacted with ethyl orthoformate, cyclopropylamine and then potassium tert-butoxide to give a quinolone intermediate (IV). A benzylamino derivative (V) obtained by condensation of IV and benzylamine was subject to catalytic hydrogenolysis and hydrolyzed to give the carboxyl derivative (VII), which was condensed with cis-2,6-dimethylpiperazine to form [carbonyl-14C]sparfloxacin. The average yield of 3 preparations was 41.5% and specific activities were 310.8-366.3 MBq (8.4-9.9 mCi)/mmol. Both chemical and radiochemical purities were greater than 99%.     

Covalent binding of radioactivity from [14C]rofecoxib, but not [14C]celecoxib or [14C]CS-706, to the arterial elastin of rats.

Rofecoxib is a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor that has been withdrawn from the market because of an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. With a special focus on the arteries, the distribution profiles of radioactivity in rats orally administered [14C]rofecoxib were investigated in comparison with two other COX-2 inhibitors, [14C]celecoxib and [14C]CS-706 (2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-methyl 1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-1H-pyrrole), a novel selective COX-2 inhibitor. Whole-body autoradioluminography and quantitative determination of the tissue concentrations showed that considerable radioactivity is retained by and accumulated in the thoracic aorta of rats after oral administration of [14C]rofecoxib, but not [14C]celecoxib or [14C]CS-706. Acid, organic solvent, and proteolytic enzyme treatments of aorta retaining high levels of radioactivity from [14C]rofecoxib demonstrated that most of the radioactivity is covalently bound to elastin. In agreement with this result, the radioactivity was found to be highly localized on the elastic fibers in the aorta by microautoradiography. The retention of radioactivity on the elastic fibers was also observed in the aortic arch and the coronary artery. These findings indicate that [14C]rofecoxib and/or its metabolite(s) are covalently bound to elastin in the arteries. These data are consistent with the suggestion of modified arterial elasticity leading to an increased risk of CV events after long-term treatment with rofecoxib.     

Transplacental and mammary passage of radioactivity in rats treated vaginally and orally with [14C]propranolol

The milk transfer, maternal-fetal distribution, and disposition of the antihypertensive/spermicidal agent propranolol were studied in pregnant and lactating rats. Single doses (10 mg/kg) of an aqueous solution of [14C]propranolol were administered either orally (po) or intravaginally (ivg) on gestational d 15, or on postpartum d 7-10. Upon ivg administration, [14C]propranolol was quickly transferred to systemic circulation and the mean blood [14C] concentrations were significantly greater during the first 0.25-2 h than in po dosed counterparts. About 98% of the ivg applied dose was absorbed after 6 h in gravid rats, and the combined 6-h excretions of radioactivity in the urine (ivg = 24.6%; po = 22.9%) and feces (ivg = 16.8%; po = 14.6%) were equivalent in both groups. At the end of 6 h, the levels of [14C] in the urinary bladder, adrenal, uterus, ovary, spleen, skeletal muscle, brain, heart, lung and fat were significantly higher in ivg treated rats than po dosed animals. Compared with the maternal plasma (ivg = 0.76; po = 0.88 microgram/ml), the mean concentrations of [14C] in the placentas were similar in both groups, while the amounts of [14C] were three to five times lower in the amniotic fluids and the fetuses of both po and ivg treated dams. In lactating rats, over 99% of the administered radioactivity was absorbed from the vagina within 6 h. The blood concentrations of [14C] were significantly elevated at 0.5 and 1 h in the per vaginam treated animals, and afterward the disappearance rate of [14C] followed a similar course in both groups. Following ivg application, the milk radioactivity peaked at 0.5 h and declined rapidly. However, the appearance of [14C] in milk was rather slow after oral dosing: the milk [14C] peaked between 2 and 3 h posttreatment and remained steady thereafter. The milk to blood (M/B) [14C] concentration ratios were markedly greater during 0.5 to 1 h in the ivg group than in their po dosed counterparts. At 6 h, the [14C] levels in the whole blood, plasma, milk, and mammary gland were virtually equivalent in the ivg and po treated females. Comparison of the areas under the milk [14C] concentration-time curves (AUCs) indicated that the milk availability of [14C] was about 31% more in dams dosed vaginally. These data suggest that route of administration alters the disposition and milk excretion of [14C]propranolol-derived radioactivity in pregnant and lactating rats.     

The Fate of [14C]Saccharin in Man,Rat and Rabbit and of 2-Sulphamoyl[14C]benzoic Acid in the Rat

1. [¹⁴C]Saccharin administered orally was excreted entirely unchanged by rats on a normal diet and by rats on a 1% and 5% saccharin diet for up to 12 months. Some 90% dose was excreted in 24?h, about 70–80% in urine and 10–20% in faeces. No metabolite was detected in the excreta by chromatography or reverse isotope dilution. No ¹⁴CO₂ was found in the expired air and no ¹⁴CO₃^2- or 2-sulphamoylbenzoic acid in the urine.

2. When [¹⁴C]saccharin was injected into bile-duct cannulated rats kept on a normal diet or on a 1% saccharin diet for 19 and 23 months, 0.1–0.3% dose appeared in the bile in 3?h and no more at 24?h after dosing. Most of the saccharin was excreted in the urine, 0.6% appearing in the faeces.

3. [¹⁴C]Saccharin given orally to rabbits kept on untreated water and on water containing 1% saccharin for 6 months was excreted unchanged, 60–80% in 24?h, with 70% in urine and 3–11% in faeces.

4. [3-¹⁴C]Saccharin taken orally was excreted unchanged mainly in urine (85–92% in 24?h) by 3 adult humans both before and after taking 1 g of saccharin daily for 21 days. No metabolite of saccharin was found.

5. When [¹⁴C]saccharin was administered orally to pregnant rats on the 21st day of gestation only at most 0.6% of dose entered the foetuses. The ¹⁴C cleared more slowly from the urinary bladder than from other maternal or foetal tissues.

6. Saccharin was not metabolized in vitro by liver microsomal preparations or faecal homogenates from rats kept on a normal diet or on a 1% saccharin diet for two years.

7. 2-Sulphamoyl[¹⁴C]benzoic acid given orally to rats was excreted unchanged more slowly than saccharin. It was not cyclized to saccharin in vivo.     

The disposition of [2,3-14C]-methyl and [2,3-14C]-2-ethylhexyl acrylate in male wistar albino rats

The disposition of methyl [2,3-¹⁴C]-acrylate (MA) and 2-ethylhexyl [2,3-¹⁴C]-acrylate (EHA) following intraperitoneal and oral administration to rats has been studied. The¹⁴C found in the tissues was mainly associated with liver, kidneys and lungs. Loss of¹⁴C from these tissues occurred fairly rapidly, excluding the rats given EHA intraperitoneally. Most of the administered acrylates underwent rapid metabolism and excretion with expired air (more than 50% of the dose and urine (10–50% of the dose). Significant differences in the rates of¹⁴C loss from tissues and excretion occurred after intrapritoneal administration of MA and EHA. A possible cumulation of EHA in the organism was suggested.     

Synthesis of [4‐14C]‐pelargonidin chloride and [4‐14C]‐delphinidin chloride

The synthesis of [4‐¹⁴C]‐pelargonidin chloride and [4‐¹⁴C]‐delphinidin chloride via [formyl‐¹⁴C]‐2‐(benzoyloxy)‐4,6‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde, ω,4‐diacetoxyacetophenone and ω,3,4,5‐tetraacetoxyacetophenone is described. The first step comprised labelling of the carbonyl group of 2‐(benzoyloxy)‐4,6‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde, verifying that the coupling with ω,4‐diacetoxyacetophenone or ω,3,4,5‐tetraacetoxyacetophenone under hydrogen chloride atmosphere resulted in the formation of [4‐¹⁴C] labelled anthocyanidins. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Disposition and metabolism of [14C]1,2-dichloropropane following oral and inhalation exposure in Fischer 344 rats

The objective of this study was to compare the disposition and metabolism of [14C]1,2-dichloropropane [( 14C]DCP) following oral and inhalation exposure since these two routes are of interest with regards to occupational and accidental exposure. [14C]DCP was administered orally to groups of four rats of each sex as a single dose of 1 or 100 mg/kg and as a multiple 1 mg/kg nonradiolabeled dose for 7 days followed by a single 1 mg [14C]DCP/kg dose on day 8. In addition, four rats of each sex were exposed to [14C]DCP vapors for a 6-h period in a head-only inhalation chamber at target concentrations of 5, 50 and 100 ppm. [14C]DCP was readily absorbed, metabolized and excreted after oral or inhalation exposure. For all treatment groups the principal routes of elimination were via the urine (37-65%) and expired air (18-40%). The tissues, carcass, feces and cage wash contained less than 11, 9.7 and 3.8% of the dose, respectively. The major urinary metabolites, as a group, from the oral and inhalation exposures were identified as three N-acetylcysteine conjugates of DCP, N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine, N-acetyl-S-(2-oxopropyl)-L-cysteine and N-acetyl-S-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine. The majority (61-87%) of the expired volatile organic material was found to be parent DCP in all samples analyzed. Increasing the dose/concentration of [14C]DCP resulted in an increase in the amount of exhaled [14C]-volatile organics. The peak DCP blood concentrations (inhalation exposure) were not proportional to dose, indicating a dose-dependency in the blood clearance of DCP. Nonetheless, upon termination of exposure, DCP was rapidly eliminated from the blood. In all treatment groups, following oral and inhalation exposure the majority of the radioactivity was eliminated by 24 h postdosing and no differences were noted between sexes. Therefore, it can be concluded that in the rat the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of [14C]DCP are similar regardless of route of exposure or sex.