Sulfhydryl-dependent biotransformation and macromolecular binding of 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane in blood

1,2-Dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (BCB) is a broad-spectrum microbicide used commercially in consumer products. The objectives of this study were to elucidate the biotransformation of BCB, characterize its ability to covalently bind macromolecules, and predict the possible toxicological ramifications of such events. After iv administration of [14C]BCB to male Fischer 344 rats, 14C-equivalents were observed to bind gradually to blood constituents. By 48 hr, approximately 12% of the total dose was covalently bound. At no time was parent compound detected in the blood. However, the debrominated BCB metabolite 2-methyleneglutaronitrile (MGN) was observed. In vitro experiments revealed that BCB was extremely labile and was readily debrominated in fresh whole blood, erythrocyte preparations, and buffered glutathione (GSH) solutions. In each case, the formation of MGN was inhibited by the alkylation of free sulfhydryls with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). For every 1 mol of BCB converted to MGN, 2 mol of GSH were oxidized to glutathione disulfide (GSSG) (BCB + 2 GSH --> MGN + GSSG + 2 HBr). The oxidation of free sulfhydryls during the conversion of BCB to MGN caused erythrocyte hemolysis (EC50 approximately 1 mM) in isolated preparations. Hemolysis was increased by coincubation of BCB with NEM (EC50 approximately 0.3 mM) and was decreased by coincubation with GSH (EC50 > 3 mM). However, MGN did not cause hemolysis of erythrocytes, even at concentrations 10-fold higher than the EC50 of BCB. In vitro experiments also demonstrated that incubation with either BCB or MGN resulted in significant macromolecular binding to the erythrocyte fraction of the blood (approximately 80%). Incubation with NEM resulted in a significant decrease in binding for both BCB (11.3% bound) and MGN (29.5% bound). Because BCB is rapidly debrominated in whole blood, it appears that MGN is the reactive species responsible for macromolecular binding. From these studies, we conclude that the conversion of BCB to MGN is mediated by a free sulfhydryl-dependent biotransformation pathway. Furthermore, BCB biotransformation is required for erythrocyte binding, and the consumption of free sulfhydryls associated with the biotransformation of BCB is responsible for hemolysis.

Metabolic and dispositional fate of 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane in the male fischer 344 Rat

Studies were conducted to characterize the absorption, disposition, metabolism, and excretion of 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (BCB; methyldibromoglutaronitrile) following iv, oral, and topical administration to male Fischer 344 rats. Following iv administration of [14C]BCB (8 mg/kg, 120 microCi/kg), no parent compound was detected in the blood; however, its debrominated metabolite, 2-methyleneglutaronitrile (2-MGN; Cmax 7.3 micrograms/ml), was observed up to 1 hr. Within 72 hr, greater than 60% of the dose was excreted in the urine and 4.1% in the feces, and 6.6% was exhaled as 14CO2. Although less than 5% of the dose was retained in tissues, approximately 12% was bound to the erythrocyte fraction of the blood. Following oral administration of [14C]BCB (80 mg/kg, 100 microgramsCi/kg), approximately 85% of the dose was absorbed, whereas 72% of the dosed radioactivity was recovered in the urine and 9.7% in the feces, 7.5% was exhaled as 14CO2, 3.5% bound to tissues, and 2. 6% bound to blood. Although parent compound could not be detected in the blood following oral administration, 2-MGN was detected (Cmax 0. 32 micrograms/ml). Following topical application of [14C]BCB (25 mg/kg, 50 microgramsCi/kg), less than 12% of the dose was absorbed, with the major route of excretion being the urine (6.6% of dose). Urinary metabolite profiles were nearly identical for each route of administration, and the primary urinary metabolite was a mercapturate conjugate of 2-MGN that was identified as N-acetyl-S-(2, 4-dicyanobutane)-L-cysteine. BCB was found to be extremely labile in whole blood, plasma, and glutathione containing solutions, and in each case the formation of 2-MGN could be reduced by the alkylation of free-sulfhydryls with N-ethylmaleimide. These results suggest that BCB is totally debrominated prior to systemic distribution, and tissue exposure to intact BCB seems to be exceedingly low regardless of route of administration.

Oral and topical absorption, disposition kinetics, and the metabolic fate of trans-methyl styryl ketone in the male Fischer 344 rat

trans-Methyl styryl ketone (MSK; trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one) is a beta-unsaturated ketone that has a wide range of uses in industry and is present in numerous consumer products. Although MSK has been shown to be positive in several in vitro mutagenic assays, it does not seem to be overtly toxic in animal models. This lack of toxicity may relate to its poor absorption and/or rapid elimination. However, little is known about the fate of MSK in the body. Studies were conducted to characterize the absorption, and disposition kinetics of MSK after intravenous, oral, and topical administration to male Fischer 344 rats. After intravenous administration of [14C]MSK (20 mg/kg, 120 microCi/kg), blood concentration-time data could be characterized with a biexponential equation and apparent first-order elimination kinetics. The following pharmacokinetic parameter values were obtained (mean +/- SD): terminal disposition half-life, 17.7 +/- 0.08 min; apparent steady-state volume of distribution, 0.89 +/- 0.14 liters/kg; systemic body clearance, 68.9 +/- 10.0 ml/kg *min; and mean residence time, 13.1 +/- 2.2 min. Within 48 hr, 95.5% of the dose was excreted in the urine and 2.7% in the feces. The major blood metabolite after intravenous administration was identified by GC/MS as the 4-phenyl-3-buten-2-ol (methyl styryl carbinol). After oral administration of [14C]MSK (200 mg/kg, 100 microCI/kg), approximately 96.6% of the dosed radioactivity was recovered in the urine and 4.8% in the faces within 48 hr. Major urinary metabolites identified by LC-MS/MS and quantified by HPLC radioassay were N-phenylacetyl-L-glycine (64.9% of dose) and N-benzyl-L-glycine (9.9% of dose). Parent compound could not be detected in the blood after oral administration, and 14C-equivalents in the blood never exceeded 1.3% of the dose. Results suggest near-total presystemic elimination of the oral dose. After topical application of [14C]MSK (250 mg/kg, 50 microCi/kg), > 60% of the dose was absorbed, and the majority of the dose was excreted into the urine (55% of dose) in the form of metabolites. Urinary metabolites were similar to those described after oral administration. 14C-equivalents were not detected in the blood at any time after topical administration. These results indicate that MSK is almost totally metabolized before systemic distribution after oral or topical administration. The systemic exposure dose of MSK seems to be exceedingly low at the doses studied herein.

Absorption and disposition kinetics of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene in the male Fischer 344 rat

3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazoxybenzene (TCAOB) is a structural analog of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). It is formed as a byproduct during the synthesis of industrial products such as herbicides. TCAOB is a ligand for the Ah receptor and, at much higher doses, exhibits toxicities similar to TCDD. Although the reduced in vivo toxicity of TCAOB probably reflects differences in disposition, this study characterized its absorption and disposition kinetics. Male Fischer 344 rats were administered [14C]TCAOB (3.4 or 34 mg/kg p.o., 3.4 mg/kg i.v.), and the excretion of the radiolabel was monitored over 96 hr. After the low and high dose, 35% and 30% of the [14C]TCAOB were eliminated in the urine, with 55% and 54% eliminated in the feces. At 96 hr, the adipose tissue:blood ratios of [14C]TCAOB equivalents were 8 and 26 for the low and high doses, respectively. After the intravenous dose of TCAOB, the adipose tissue:blood ratio was 21 at 96 hr. Other tissue:blood ratios were of little significance (0.06-3.2). Pharmacokinetic parameters indicate that the parent molecule is cleared from blood with an average half-life of 7 hr and an average clearance of 11 ml/min.kg. Absolute bioavailability was calculated to be approximately 9%. Urine contained a variety of dichlorolaniline conjugates, which support the importance of azo reduction in the disposition of TCAOB. When compared with TCDD, the absorption of TCAOB is greatly reduced and the elimination of metabolites greatly enhanced. Therefore, at equal molar oral doses, TCAOB would express lower levels of Ah receptor-mediated toxicity than those defined for TCDD.

3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene absorption, disposition, and metabolism in male Fischer 344 rats

3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) is a contaminant generated during the synthesis of 3,4-dichloroaniline and 3,4-dichloroaniline-derived pesticides. TCAB is isosteric to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and has been shown to bind to the Ah receptor. Following oral administration of [14C]TCAB (3.2 and 32 mg/kg), 39-45% of the dosed radioactivity was excreted into the urine and 53-56% was recovered in the feces within 48 hr. Less than 6% of the dosed radioactivity remained in the tissues examined at 96 hr. After intravenous administration (3.2 mg/kg), 33% of the dose was excreted in the bile during 6 hr. TCAB metabolites in urine were identified using LC/MS. The major metabolites were sulfate ester conjugates of hydroxylated mono- or dichloroaniline derivatives. Some of these metabolites were also acetylated. After intravenous administration, the disappearance of [14C]TCAB from blood was monitored, and the pharmacokinetic profile was consistent with a two-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic parameters reveal that the compound is readily cleared from the blood with a t1/2 of 4.0 hr, clearance of 12.3 ml/min.kg, and an apparent volume of distribution of 4.3 liters/kg. The absolute oral bioavailability was determined to be 30%. The extensive azo reduction of TCAB decreases its systemic absorption after oral administration and thereby limits the amount of parent compound available to interact with the Ah receptor and decreases the Ah receptor-mediated toxicity.

Tissue distribution and elimination of indium in male Fischer 344 rats following oral and intratracheal administration of indium phosphide

The use of indium phosphide (InP) in the semiconductor industry has raised concerns about potential occupational exposure. The tissue distribution and elimination of indium were investigated in adult male Fischer 344 rats following either a single or 14 consecutive daily oral doses, or following an intratracheal instillation of InP (10 mg/kg). The concentrations of indium ions in blood, urine, feces, and tissues were quantified either using direct acid digestion followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ET-AAS) or using an extraction method with methyltricapryl ammonium ions to remove indium from the matrix followed by ET-AAS. Indium was poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in both single and multiple oral dose studies. Upon its absorption, indium was relatively evenly distributed among the major organs such as liver, kidney, lung, spleen, and testes. By 96 h after oral dose treatment, less than 0.11% of the dose of indium was recovered from tissues in the single- or multiple-dose experiment. At 96 h, retention of indium in the body was about 0.36% of the dose (except for lung) following intratracheal instillation of InP. Following oral dose administration, the majority of indium was recovered from the gastrointestinal tract and its contents. The high recovery of indium (73% of the dose) in the feces after intratracheal instillation presumably reflects mucociliary clearance and/or biliary excretion of indium. Urinary indium accounted only for 0.08-0.23% of the dose during a 240-h collection period in both single- and multiple-dose studies. It seems that fecal excretion serves as the major route for indium elimination, and this results from poor absorption. Because of the poor absorption of indium following multiple oral doses or intratracheal instillation of InP, it seems unlikely that indium will accumulate in the body following InP exposure.