Characterization of metabolites of benz(j)aceanthrylene in faeces,urine and bile from rat

1. The excretion of benz[j]aceanthrylene (B[j]A) and the biotransformation products found in faeces, urine and bile of rat exposed to [³H]-labelled B[j]A have been studied. 2. About 95% of the administered radioactivity was excreted within 7 days, 79% via faeces and 16% via urine, and most of the radioactivity in urine and faeces was excreted within 2 days. 3. The B[j]A metabolites excreted between days 1 and 2, including those excreted in bile during the first 5.5 h in a separate experiment, were further characterized by HPLC, UV and electrospray/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. 4. In faeces, bile and urine, hydroxylated B[j]A metabolites predominated. The major metabolites in faeces were B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-8-hydroxy and B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-10-hydroxy. These metabolites were found as conjugated metabolites in the bile. The glucuronide conjugate of B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-10-hydroxy was also a major metabolite in urine. Two sulphate conjugates of oxidized B[j]A were detected in bile, a sulphate conjugate of a B[j]A-dihydrodiol-phenol and B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-10-sulphate. Trans B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol was detected in urine, faeces and bile. 5. These findings support the hypothesis that epoxidation at the cyclopenta ring is an important biotransformation pathway for B[j]A in vivo. In addition to the characterized metabolites, a large fraction of polar compounds, possibly glutathione conjugates, was also excreted in urine and bile.     

Characterization of metabolites of benz(j)aceanthrylene in faeces, urine and bile from rat

1. The excretion of benz[j]aceanthrylene (B[j]A) and the biotransformation products found in faeces, urine and bile of rat exposed to [3H]-labelled B[j]A have been studied. 2. About 95% of the administered radioactivity was excreted within 7 days, 79% via faeces and 16% via urine, and most of the radioactivity in urine and faeces was excreted within 2 days. 3. The B[j]A metabolites excreted between days 1 and 2, including those excreted in bile during the first 5.5 h in a separate experiment, were further characterized by HPLC, UV and electrospray/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. 4. In faeces, bile and urine, hydroxylated B[j]A metabolites predominated. The major metabolites in faeces were B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-8-hydroxy and B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-10-hydroxy. These metabolites were found as conjugated metabolites in the bile. The glucuronide conjugate of B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-10-hydroxy was also a major metabolite in urine. Two sulphate conjugates of oxidized B[j]A were detected in bile, a sulphate conjugate of a B[j]A-dihydrodiol-phenol and B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol-10-sulphate. Trans-B[j]A-1,2-dihydrodiol was detected in urine, faeces and bile. 5. These findings support the hypothesis that epoxidation at the cyclopenta ring is an important biotransformation pathway for B[j]A in vivo. In addition to the characterized metabolites, a large fraction of polar compounds, possibly glutathione conjugates, was also excreted in urine and bile.     

Hepatobiliary elimination of bendamustin (Cytostasan) in rats.

Biliary excretion of bendamustin (Cytostasan, 5-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-i-methylbenzimidazole-2-butyric acid; 1) and its metabolites was studied in rats after i.v. administration of 14C-1. The most significant finding was the rapid excretion of 1 related radioactivity in the bile occurring shortly after injection. While radioactivity eliminated by bile within 2 h was 41.8%, in the course of subsequent 22 h it amounted only to 3.2%. Bile samples analyzed by TLC indicated that the total amount of radioactivity was excreted in the form of conjugates and two hydroxy metabolites. A significant amount of radioactivity was excreted in urine. The diversion of bile by cannulation of the bile duct led to a significant decrease of elimination by feces.     

Metabolism and disposition of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in guinea pigs

Marked interspecies variability exists in the acute toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), with the guinea pig being the mammalian species most sensitive to the acute toxicity of TCDD. The metabolism and disposition of TCDD was investigated in guinea pigs for 45 days following a single exposure to purified [3H]TCDD (0.56 microgram/kg, ip). Guinea pigs included in the toxicokinetic study gained body weight, maintained a normal relative body composition, and exhibited no gross signs of toxicity during the 45-day study. Approximately 36% of the dose of TCDD-derived 3H remained in the adipose tissue at 45 days following exposure to [3H]TCDD, while the liver, pelt, and skeletal muscle and carcass each contained about 7% of the administered dose. Although most of the TCDD-derived radioactivity in liver, kidney, perirenal adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle represented unchanged TCDD, from 4 to 28% of the 3H was associated with metabolites of TCDD. This unexpected finding suggests that TCDD metabolites are not efficiently excreted from guinea pigs. The urinary and fecal excretion of TCDD-derived radioactivity followed apparent first-order kinetics, with an elimination half-life of 93.7 +/- 15.5 days (mean +/- SD). HPLC analysis of urine and bile from [3H]TCDD-treated guinea pigs showed that all of the radioactivity represented metabolites of TCDD, indicating that these routes of elimination are dependent on prior metabolism of TCDD. However, 70 to 90% of the radioactivity in fecal samples was found to represent unmetabolized TCDD throughout the 45-day excretion study. The presence of TCDD in feces and its absence in bile suggest that the fecal excretion of unchanged TCDD resulted from the direct intestinal elimination of the lipophilic toxin. Furthermore, the cumulative excretion of TCDD-derived radioactivity over 45 days indicated that 74.3% of the 3H was excreted in feces as unchanged TCDD, while 25.7% of the 3H was excreted in urine and feces as TCDD metabolites. Thus, TCDD is primarily eliminated unchanged in the feces of guinea pigs, indicating that the metabolism of TCDD does not play a major role in the ultimate elimination of the toxin from the guinea pig. This may in part explain the relatively long excretion half-life for TCDD in the guinea pig and may contribute to the remarkable sensitivity of the guinea pig to the acute toxicity of TCDD.     

Metabolism of the food-borne mutagen/carcinogen 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline in the rat: assessment of biliary metabolites for genotoxicity

The absorption and kinetics of excretion of [14C]2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoxaline (MeIQx) was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Within 72 hr of an oral dose of [14C]MeIQx (20 mg/kg) 33-56% of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine and 37-75% of the radioactivity in the faeces, which accounted for greater than 99% of the dose. Only low levels of radioactivity remained in the body. Radioactivity, when expressed per gram of tissue, was highest in the liver and kidney with smaller amounts detected in the lung and both the small and large intestines. Between 25 and 50% of a dose of MeIQx was recovered in the bile within 24 hr. Biliary metabolites were excreted over a long period of time with one radioactive fraction rapidly excreted at 2-3 hr and a second fraction excreted at 10-12 hr. The metabolites present in bile were assessed for genotoxicity using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with or without hepatic S-9 activation and were found to be present as detoxified products. The residual mutagenic activity present in bile was attributed primarily to unmetabolized MeIQx.     

The fate of lysergic acid DI[14C]ethylamide ([14C]LSD) in the rat, guinea pig and rhesus monkey and of [14C]iso-LSD in rat.

The qualitative and quantitative aspects of the metabolism and elimination of [¹⁴C]LSD in the rat, guinea pig and rhesus monkey have been investigated. Rats given an i.p. dose (1 mg/kg) excreted 73% of the ¹⁴C in the faeces, 16% in the urine and 3.4% in the expired air as ¹⁴CO₂ in 96 hr. Guinea pigs similarly dosed, excreted 40% in the faeces, 28% (urine) and 18% (expired ¹⁴CO₂) in 96 hr. Rhesus monkeys (0.15 mg/kg i.m.) eliminated 39% of the ¹⁴C in the urine and 23% in the faeces in 96 hr.Extensive biliary excretion of [¹⁴C]LSD occurred in both the rat and guinea pig. Bile duct-cannulated rats excreted 68% of an i.v. dose (1.33 mg/kg) in the bile in 5 hr and the guinea pig 52% in 6 hr.[¹⁴C]LSD is almost completely metabolised by all three species and little unchanged drug is excreted. The metabolites identified were 13- and 14-hydroxy-LSD and their glucuronic acid conjugates. 2-oxo-LSD. de-ethyl LSD and a naphthostyril derivative. There occur, however, important species differences in the nature and amounts of the various metabolites. In the rat and guinea pig the major metabolites were the glucuronic acid conjugates of 13- and 14-hydroxy-LSD which were found in both urine and bile. The guinea pig excreted significant amounts of 2-oxo-LSD in urine and bile. De-ethyl LSD was a minor urinary metabolite in both species.The metabolism of LSD appeared to be more complicated in the rhesus monkey. The urine contained at least nine metabolites of which four were identified as follows: 13- and 14-hydroxy-LSD (as glucuronic acid conjugates) de-ethyl LSD and a naphthostyril derivative. Unlike the rat and guinea pig the glucuronic acid conjugates of 13- and 14-hydroxy-LSD were only present in small amounts. Of the remaining five unidentified metabolites, three were major.The biliary metabolites of [¹⁴C]iso-LSD in the rat have been studied and been shown to be similar to those produced from [¹⁴C]LSD, namely 13- and 14-hydroxy-iso-LSD and their glucuronic acid conjugates and 2-oxo-iso-LSD.     

Toxicokinetics of 1,2-diethylbenzene in male Sprague-Dawley rats-part 1: excretion and metabolism of [(14)C]1,2-diethylbenzene.

The excretion and metabolism of neurotoxic 1,2-diethylbenzene (1, 2-DEB) was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats after i.v. (1 mg/kg) or oral (1 or 100 mg/kg) administration of 1,2-diethyl[U-(14)C]benzene ([(14)C]1,2-DEB). Whatever the treatment, radioactivity was mainly excreted in urine (65-76% of the dose) and to a lower extent in feces (15-23% of the dose), or via exhaled air (3-5% of the dose). However, experiments with rats fitted with a biliary cannula demonstrated that about 52 to 64% of the administered doses (1 or 100 mg/kg) were initially excreted in bile. Biliary metabolites were extensively reabsorbed from the gut and ultimately excreted in urine after several enterohepatic circulations. Insignificant amounts of unchanged 1,2-DEB were recovered in the different excreta (urine, bile, and feces). As reported previously, presence of 1-(2'-ethylphenyl)ethanol (EPE) was confirmed in urine and demonstrated in bile and feces. The two main [(14)C]1,2-DEB metabolites accounted for 57 to 79% of urinary and biliary radioactivity, respectively. Beta-Glucuronidase hydrolysis and electron impact mass spectra results strongly supported their glucuronide structure. Additionally, these two main metabolites were thought to be the glucuronide conjugates of the two potential enantiomers of EPE. The results indicate that the main initial conversion step of the primary metabolic pathway of 1,2-DEB appears to be the hydroxylation of the alpha-carbon atom of the side chain. The presence of two glucuronide conjugates of EPE in the urine in a ratio different from one suggests that the metabolic conversion of 1, 2-DEB is under stereochemical control.     

Effects of inducers and inhibitors of mixed-function oxidases on the biliary excretion of pentacaine metabolites

The biliary excretion of 3H-pentacaine and its metabolites was studied in rats pretreated with an inducer or inhibitor of mixed-function oxidases. Over one-fourth (25.8 per cent) of a 2 mg kg-1 intraportal dose of 3H-pentacaine was excreted in bile in urethaneanaesthetized control rats within 3 h. The radioactivity appeared in the form of the parent drug, basic metabolites, and metabolite conjugates, 3.1, 86.5, and 10.4 per cent of the total radioactivity excreted, respectively. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital enhanced only slightly the biliary excretion of basic metabolites, and pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene had no effect. Phenobarbital also increased the initial rate of excretion of conjugates, but this effect was not sustained. 3-Methylcholanthrene had a tendency to impair excretion of conjugates by bile. Pretreatment of rats with SKF 525-A decreased the biliary excretion of both basic metabolites and conjugates while cimetidine did not alter significantly the biliary excretion of pentacaine metabolites. These results suggest that the canalicular transport of metabolites may be the most important factor in controlling pentacaine metabolite excretion in bile.     

Urinary and biliary metabolites of mephentermine in male Wistar rats

1. Excretion of urinary and biliary radioactivity, and metabolites of [3H]mephentermine (MP), after i.p. or subcutaneous administration of [3H]MP to male Wistar rats, were determined by preparative t.l.c.-liquid scintillation counting. 2. About 45% of the radioactivity administered i.p. was excreted in the 24 h urine. The major urinary metabolite was conjugated p-hydroxymephentermine (p-hydroxy-MP), which accounted for about 18% of the administered radioactivity in the 24 h urine. 3. About 4.2% of the radioactivity administered subcutaneously was excreted in bile during 24 h. The major biliary metabolite was conjugated p-hydroxy-MP, which accounted for about 39% of the radioactivity excreted in the bile in 24 h. 4. Urinary and biliary minor metabolites detected were phentermine (Ph), p-hydroxyphentermine (p-hydroxy-Ph), N-hydroxyphentermine (N-hydroxy-Ph), N-hydroxymephentermine (N-hydroxy-MP) and their conjugates, and conjugated MP. 5. The conjugates were considered to be glucuronides from the inhibitory effect of saccharic acid 1,4-lactone on their hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase. 6. Biliary excretion rates of conjugated p-hydroxy-Ph and p-hydroxy-MP reached maxima at 3 to 4 h, and non-conjugated metabolites were maximal at 1 to 2 h, after administration. 50% of the biliary metabolites was excreted within 5 h.     

Metabolism of mephentermine in male guinea pigs and male mice

1. Urinary metabolites of mephentermine (MP), after i.p. administration of MP to male Hartley guinea pigs and mice, were identified by g.l.c.-electron impact (El) mass spectrometry. Excretion of urinary radioactivity, and metabolites of ³H-MP, after i.p. administration, were determined by preparative t.l.c.-liquid scintillation counting.

2. About 27% of the radioactivity administered was excreted in the 24?h urine of guinea pigs, and 36% dose was excreted in 5 days. In mice, about 47% of the radioactivity was excreted in the 24?h urine, and 52% in 5 days.

3. Excretion rates of metabolites detected in the 24?h urine of guinea pigs were phentermine (Ph, 7.8%), a conjugate of N-hydroxyphentermine (N-hydroxy-Ph, 3.6%), p-hydroxyphentermine (p-hydroxy-Ph, 1.0%) and its conjugate (2.9%), and other metabolites (conjugates of MP and Ph, N-hydroxymephentermine (N-hydroxy-MP) and its conjugate, p-hydroxymephentermine (p-hydroxy-MP) and its conjugate, and N-hydroxy-Ph; <1.0%). The rates of excretion for mice were Ph (11.7%), conjugates of p-hydroxy-MP (3.1%), Ph (2.7%) and p-hydroxy-Ph (1.6%), and N-hydroxy-Ph (1.2%) and other metabolites (conjugates of MP and N-hydroxy-Ph, N-hydroxy-MP and its conjugate, p-hydroxy-Ph, and p-hydroxy-MP; <1.0%).

4. These results indicate that MP administered to mice is metabolized mainly to Ph and p-hydroxy-MP by N-demethylation and p-hydroxylation of the parent compound, and in guinea pigs the primary metabolic reaction of MP is N-demethylation producing Ph. This, together with previous findings in rats, shows that there are marked metabolic differences between guinea pigs, mice and rats.     

Excretion of benzo[a]pyrene and metabolites in urine and feces of rats: influence of route of administration, sex and long-term ethanol treatment

The urinary and fecal excretion of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and its main metabolites were studied after oral and intraperitoneal administration of B[a]P to male and female ethanol-treated and non-ethanol- treated rats. After oral administration of B[a]P more mutagenic compounds as well as B[a]P metabolites were found in feces than after intraperitoneal administration. The excretion of B[a]P metabolites in urine and feces after oral administration were maximal at days 1 and 2 whereas after intraperitoneal administration excretion was maximal at days 2 and 3. In males, the amounts of excreted phenolic metabolites in urine and feces were generally higher than in females. The amounts of mutagenic products in urine and feces of males were also higher than in females after intraperitoneal and oral administration of B[a]P. In urine of female rats that received B[a]P intraperitoneally, a decreased excretion of phenolic metabolites was found after ethanol treatment. In feces of both male and female rats, a decreased excretion of 3-OH-B[a]P was found after ethanol treatment. In this study, the influence of sex and administration route on the excretion of B[a]P metabolites was more pronounced than the effect of ethanol treatment.     

Species differences in the metabolism of a tricyclic psychotropic agent,SQ 11,290-C

The metabolism of SQ 11,290-¹⁴C (4-[3-(7-chloro-5,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]-[1,4]-oxazepin-5-yl)propyl]-α,β-¹⁴C₂-1-piperazineethanol, dihydrochloride) was studied in mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, New Zealand White or Dutch rabbits, monkeys and man after po administration. The excretion of SQ 11,290-¹⁴C, its metabolites, or both, was chiefly in the feces (with the exception of hamsters and man). Rats and rabbits of either strain excreted 2–5% of the dose—mice and hamsters excreted 20–42%—as ¹⁴CO₂. Hamsters appeared to excrete radioactivity in a quantitative manner most similar to that observed in man, but the metabolites found in the urine and feces of these 2 species were not similar. The disposition of SQ 11,290-¹⁴C in albino and pigmented rabbits cannot be distinguished on the basis of the excretion of radioactivity, but different metabolites appear to be excreted in the urine. No unchanged SQ 11,290-¹⁴C was detected in the excreta of humans. One percent of the dose or less was present as unchanged SQ 11,290-¹⁴C in the urine of any animal species. In the feces, an average of 2–6% of the dose was excreted by animal species as unchanged SQ 11,290-¹⁴C. Whereas albino rabbits excreted in the feces only 3.6% of the dose as unchanged drug, Dutch rabbits excreted about 16.7% of the dose as unchanged drug. In those human subjects excreting large amounts of radioactivity as ¹⁴CO₂, cleavage or degradation of the side chain, or both, rather than hydroxylation of the ring system as had been found previously in dogs, appeared to be a major metabolic pathway.     

Biliary excretion and enterohepatic circulation of 1-nitropyrene metabolites in Fischer-344 rats

1-Nitropyrene (1-NP), present in diesel engine emissions, is a potent mutagen to bacteria, such as those found in mammalian intestinal tract, which contain nitroreductase enzymes. The purposes of this study were to determine the importance of bile as a route of excretion of 1-NP metabolites and to determine if reabsorption of biliary metabolites required the presence of intestinal bacteria. The bile ducts of male Fischer-344 rats were cannulated, 0.3 or 1.2 mumoles [3H]1-NP was given i.v., and bile, urine, and feces were collected for 24 hr. Biliary excretion accounted for 70 (80%) or 170 (60%) nmoles of [3H]1-NP after the low and high dose, respectively, with half-times for excretion of 1.7 hr +/- 0.3 (+/- S.E.M.) and 3.4 hr +/- 1.6 (+/- S.E.M.). Excretion of [3H]1-NP equivalents in the urine was linearly related to dose, with 6 or 16 nmoles (8%) excreted in 24 hr. At the low dose, more radioactivity appeared in the urine in control rats compared to bile-duct cannulated rats, suggesting that reabsorption of 1-NP metabolites occurred. Pretreatment of rats with orally administered antibiotics prior to i.v. injection of 0.3 mumole [3H]1-NP decreased radioactivity excreted in urine compared to untreated controls, suggesting that intestinal microorganisms may alter the biliary metabolites of 1-NP to facilitate reabsorption. Pretreatment of rats with buthionine sulfoximine, a glutathione depletor, decreased the excretion of certain biliary metabolites, suggesting that they were mercapturic acids of 1-NP metabolites. In summary, the results of these studies indicate that bile was an important route of excretion of nitropyrene metabolites. A portion of the excreted metabolites was reabsorbed from the gut, and this reabsorption required the presence of gut microorganisms.     

Metabolism of mephentermine in male guinea pigs and male mice.

1. Urinary metabolites of mephentermine (MP), after i.p. administration of MP to male Hartley guinea pigs and mice, were identified by g.l.c.-electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry. Excretion of urinary radioactivity, and metabolites of 3H-MP, after i.p. administration, were determined by preparative t.l.c.-liquid scintillation counting. 2. About 27% of the radioactivity administered was excreted in the 24 h urine of guinea pigs, and 36% dose was excreted in 5 days. In mice, about 47% of the radioactivity was excreted in the 24 h urine, and 52% in 5 days. 3. Excretion rates of metabolites detected in the 24 h urine of guinea pigs were phentermine (Ph, 7.8%), a conjugate of N-hydroxyphentermine (N-hydroxy-Ph, 3.6%), p-hydroxyphentermine (p-hydroxy-Ph, 1.0%) and its conjugate (2.9%), and other metabolites (conjugates of MP and Ph, N-hydroxymephentermine (N-hydroxy-MP) and its conjugate, p-hydroxymephentermine (p-hydroxy-MP) and its conjugate, and N-hydroxy-Ph; less than 1.0%). The rates of excretion for mice were Ph (11.7%), conjugates of p-hydroxy-MP (3.1%), Ph (2.7%) and p-hydroxy-Ph (1.6%), and N-hydroxy-Ph (1.2%) and other metabolites (conjugates of MP and N-hydroxy-Ph, N-hydroxy-MP and its conjugate, p-hydroxy-Ph, and p-hydroxy-MP; less than 1.0%). 4. These results indicate that MP administered to mice is metabolized mainly to Ph and p-hydroxy-MP by N-demethylation and p-hydroxylation of the parent compound, and in guinea pigs the primary metabolic reaction of MP is N-demethylation producing Ph.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

In vivo and in vitro metabolism of 2-methylnaphthalene in the guinea pig

The metabolism of 2-methylnaphthalene (2-MN) in guinea pigs (in vivo and in vitro) was investigated. Excretion of 2-MN from guinea pigs took place rapidly. In the first 24 hr, nearly 80% of the orally administered 2-[3H]-MN was excreted in the urine in the form of several metabolites, and about 10% of it was recovered in the feces. The major metabolites in the urine were oxidative products of the methyl group of 2-MN (naphthoic acid and its glycine and glucuronic acid conjugates) and accounted for 76% of the total urinary radioactivity in the first 24 hr. S-(7-Methyl-1-naphthyl)cysteine and glucuronic acid and sulfate conjugates of 7-methyl-1-naphthol were also identified as minor metabolites (18% of the total urinary radioactivity). As an in vitro metabolite, the formation of S-(7-methyl-1-naphthyl)glutathione was indicated using the 9,000g supernatant of the homogenate of guinea pig liver. The oral administration of 2-MN (500 mg/kg) to guinea pigs significantly lowered the trichloroacetic acid-soluble sulfhydryl content in the liver.     

Cleavage by beta-glucuronidase of the water-soluble metabolites of digitoxin excreted in the bile of control and spironolactone-pretreated rats

Water-soluble metabolites of [³H]digitoxin isolated from the bile of control and spironolactone-pretreated rats were incubated with β-glucuronidase for 15 min. After this treatment, a large portion of the radioactivity was recovered in a chloroform-soluble fraction for both control (66%) and treated (78%) animals. The compounds in this nonpolar fraction were separated by column and paper chromatography. Small amounts of unchanged digitoxin, bisdigitoxoside of digitoxigenin, and digitoxigenin were recovered from both groups. The major compound released from the water-soluble metabolites by β-glucuronidase was the monodigitoxoside of digitoxigenin (47% of the total radioactivity in the control group and 74% in the treated group). These results suggest that a large portion of the highly polar metabolites of digitoxin excreted in the bile are glucuronide conjugates of the monodigitoxoside of digitoxigenin. Spironolactone pretreatment increased the formation of these glucuronide conjugates.     

Hepatic uptake, disposition, and metabolism of rubratoxin B in isolated perfused rat liver

Isolated perfused rat liver preparations were utilized to measure the hepatic uptake, biliary excretion and metabolism of rubratoxin B. Livers were perfused with 30% rat blood perfusate containing 0.24 μmol labeled rubratoxin B, and a series of timed blood and bile samples were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and treated enzymatically for the determination of glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. Blood, bile and liver samples were also radioassayed. Rubratoxin B was removed from the perfusate by a first-order process (monophasically) with a half-life of 207.5 ± 23.7 min (mean ± SE). By 3.5 hr of perfusion, 30% of the total rubratoxin B-derived radioactivity was excreted into the bile. More than 8% of the total dose of rubratoxin B was excreted unchanged into the bile by 3.5 hr. The rates of biliary excretion of rubratoxin B- derived radioactivity and parent compound reached a maximum at 30 min, after which time the rates of excretion decreased monophasically with half-lives of 35.5 and 72 min, respectively. Two major metabolites detected in the bile were the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, together accounting for 22% of the radioactivity excreted into the bile by 3.5 hr. In addition, at least one major unidentified organosoluble metabolite was detected in the bile.     

Metabolism and disposition of moxonidine in Fischer 344 rats.

The metabolism and disposition of moxonidine (4-chloro-5-(imidazolidin-2-ylidenimino)-6-methoxy-2-methylp yrimidine ), a potent central-acting antihypertensive agent, were investigated in F344 rats. After an i.v. or oral administration of 0.3 mg/kg of [(14)C]moxonidine, the maximum plasma concentrations of moxonidine were determined to be 146.0 and 4.0 ng/ml, respectively, and the elimination half-lives were 0.9 and 1.1 h, respectively. The oral bioavailability of moxonidine was determined to be 5.1%. The metabolic and elimination profiles of moxonidine were determined after an oral administration of 5 mg/kg of [(14)C]moxonidine. More than fifteen phase I and phase II metabolites of moxonidine were identified in the different biological matrices (urine, plasma, and bile). Oxidative metabolism of moxonidine leads to the formation of hydroxymethyl moxonidine and a carboxylic acid metabolite as the major metabolites. Several GSH conjugates, cysteinylglycine conjugates, cysteine conjugates, and a glucuronide conjugate were also identified in rat bile samples. The radiocarbon was eliminated primarily by urinary excretion in rats, with 59.5% of total radioactivity recovered in the urine and 38.4% recovered in the feces within 120 h. In bile duct-cannulated rats, about 39.7% of the radiolabeled dose was excreted in the urine, 32.6% excreted in the bile, and approximately 2% remained in the feces. The results from a quantitative whole body autoradiography study indicate that radiocarbon associated with [(14)C]moxonidine and/or its metabolites was widely distributed to tissues, with the highest levels of radioactivity observed in the kidney and liver. In summary, moxonidine is well absorbed, extensively metabolized, widely distributed into tissues, and rapidly eliminated in rats after oral administration.     

Mutagenicity and in vivo disposition of biliary metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene

Rabbits and rats administered [3H]benzo(a)pyrene (BP; 40 mumol/kg, i.v.) excreted, via the bile, metabolites which increased reverse gene mutation frequency in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 when incubated with beta-glucuronidase. Glucuronic acid conjugates of BP 4,5-diol, BP 1,6-, 3,6- and 6,12-quinones were detected in rat bile with low levels of 3- and 9-OH BP and BP 7,8- and 9,10-diols. In rabbits BP 9,10-diol was the major aglycone along with smaller amounts of BP 1,6- and 3,6-quinones, BP 4,5- and 7,8-diols and 3- and 9-OH BP. Qualitatively similar metabolic profiles were found when animals were given 3 mumol/kg [3H]BP. When 3H-labelled biliary metabolites, which contained the mutagenic component, were administered intraduodenally to rats, radioactivity reached the systemic circulation but DNA adducts were not detectable (less than 0.03 pmol/mg DNA) in tissues (intestinal wall, liver and lung) exposed to the reabsorbed metabolites.     

Metabolism and excretion of atorvastatin in rats and dogs.

Atorvastatin (AT) is a second-generation potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, clinically approved for lowering plasma cholesterol. Using a mixture of [D(5)/D(0)] AT and/or [(14)C]AT, the metabolic fate and excretion of AT were examined in rats and dogs following single and multiple oral doses. Limited biliary recycling was examined in one dog after a single dose of AT. AT-derived metabolites in bile samples were identified by metabolite screening of the [D(5)/D(0)] AT molecular clusters using tandem mass spectrometry. Bile was a major route of [(14)C] drug-derived excretion, accounting for 73 and 33% of the oral dose in the rat and dog, respectively. The remaining radioactivity was recovered in the feces; only trace amounts were excreted in urine. Radioactive components identified in rat and dog bile were the para- and ortho-hydroxy metabolites, a glucuronide conjugate of ortho-hydroxy AT, and unchanged AT. Two minor radioactive components were identified as beta-oxidation products of AT with one confirmed as a beta-oxidized AT derivative. The reappearance of AT and major metabolites in bile from a dog administered a sample of its previously excreted bile indicated biliary recycling is an important component in AT metabolism. Multiple dose administration in rats did not alter biliary metabolic profiles. Rat and dog plasma profiles after multiple dose administration were similar and showed no additional metabolites not found in bile. Examination of rat and dog bile and plasma indicates that AT primarily undergoes oxidative metabolism.