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Metabolism of tetrachlorophenols in the rat

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Abstract

The three isomers of tetrachlorophenol were administrated intraperitoneally to rats and the urinary excretion products studied. Tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone was identified as a major metabolite of 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol, constituing about 35% of the dose given. Trichloro-p-hydroquinone was identified as a minor metabolite of both 2,3,4,5- and 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol. 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol was eliminated within 24 h, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol within 48 h while only 60% of the given dose of 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol could be recovered within 72 h.

The acute toxicity of the tetrachlorophenols and tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone was studied in mice upon oral and intraperitoneal administration. 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol (LD50 p.o. 109 mg · kg−1) was the most toxic compound followed y 2,3,4,6- and 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol (LD50 p.o. 131 and 400 mg · kg−1, respectively). Tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone proved to have low oral toxicity (LD50 p.o. 500 mg · kg−1) but was more toxic than the tetrachlorophenols when administered intraperitoneally. The oral LD50 for pentachlorophenol, under identical experimental conditions, was found to be 74 mg · kg−1.

Zusammenfassung

Die drei Isomeren von Tetrachlorphenol wurden an Ratten intraperitoneal verabreicht und die Ausscheidungsprodukte in Harn untersucht. Tetrachlor-p-hydrochinon erwies sich als Hauptmetabolit von 2,3,5,6-Tetrachlorphenol, entsprechend etwa 35% der zugeführten Menge. Bei sowohl 2,3,4,5-als auch 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorphenol wurde Trichlor-p-hydrochinon als Metabolit identifiziert, jedoch in geringer Menge. Das 2,3,5,6-Tetrachlorphenol wurde innerhalb von 24 Std und das 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorphenol innerhalb von 48 Std eliminiert, während bei 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorphenol innerhalb von 72 Std nur 60% der gegebenen Menge erfaßt werden konnte.

Die akute Toxizität von Tetrachlorphenolen und Tetrachlor-p-hydrochinon wurden an Mäusen oral sowie intraperitoneal studiert. 2,3,5,6-Tetrachlorphenol erwies sich als die toxischste der Substanzen (LD50 p.o. 109 mg · kg−1), gefolgt von 2,3,4,6- und 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorphenol (LD50 p.o. 131 mg · kg−1 und 400 mg · kg−1). Tetrachlor-p-hydrochinon zeigte nur geringe Toxizität, wenn oral verabreicht (LD50 500 mg · kg−1), war aber toxischer als die Tetrachlorphenole, wenn intraperitoneal gegeben.

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Ahlborg, U.G., Larsson, K. Metabolism of tetrachlorophenols in the rat. Arch Toxicol 40, 63–74 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353280

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