Lindane metabolism by human and rat liver microsomes

1. Human liver microsomes convert lindane (gamma isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane) to four major primary metabolites; gamma-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohex-1-ene (3,6/4,5-HCCH), gamma-1,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohex-1-ene (3,6/4,5-PCCH), beta-1,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohex-1-ene (3,4,6/5-PCCH), and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP); and two major secondary metabolites; 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TTCP) and pentachlorobenzene (PCB). 2. Under the same conditions, rat liver microsomes produce 3,6/4,5-HCCH, 2,4,6-TCP and 2,3,4,6-TCCP at rates similar to human liver microsomes. 3,4,6/5-PCCH is produced at much lower rates and 3,6/4,5-PCCH and PCB are not detected when lindane is incubated with rat liver microsomes for up to 30 min. 3. The identity of 3,4,6/5-PCCH, previously not identified as a mammalian metabolite of lindane, is confirmed by column chromatography and g.l.c.-mass spectrometry by comparison with authentic material. 4. It is concluded that there is potentially substantial hepatic metabolism by humans of lindane, a topically used scabicide and pediculicide.

Steric factors in the pharmacokinetics of lindane and alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane in rats

1. The elimination of alpha-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH) by rats, as assessed by g.l.c. determination of the chemical's disappearance from depot fat, exhibited a sex difference (males:females = 4:1) and a sizeable deuterium isotope effect (6.3 in males). 2. Lindane (gamma-HCH), by contrast, disappeared from depot fat, skeletal muscle, brain and blood at nearly the same rates in both sexes. Perdeuteration, though effective in reducing hepatic removal, did not significantly retard the overall elimination of this isomer (isotope effect in males less than 2). Partial explanation of this finding is that lindane and lindane-d6 are equally subject to dechlorination in the gut. 3. alpha-HCH distributed into cerebral white matter in preference to grey matter to a much higher degree than did lindane and the beta-isomer of HCH, and elimination from that tissue was slow. The finding is considered to indicate a stereoselective affinity of alpha-HCH to some component(s) of myelin.

Self-destructive behavior of uncooperative diabetics

12 “uncooperative” diabetic patients were interviewed and tested in the hospital, using a structured interview, behavior and attitude rating schedule, and the Rorschach. A general descriptive picture was derived, but subgroups also appeared, based upon the dynamics of the patient in relation to the illness. In one subgroup, the illness plays no meaningful role; in the second, the illness has been integrated into defensive patterns deliberately manipulated for personal satisfaction. Different treatment procedures are suggested.