Metabolism of benzene in nonfasted, fasted, and aryl-hydroxylase inhibited rats

Abstract

The metabolic fate of benzene is markedly altered in rats fasted 24 hours prior to administration of the compound. In the nonfasted rat, the major metabolites are conjugated phenols other than glucuronides, while in the fasted rat the major excretory pathway is glucuronide conjugation. In rats treated with [beta]-diethylaminoethyldiphenylpropylacetate hydrochloride all excretory pathways requiring hydroxylation are depressed. Thus the nutritional state of the animal, as well as prior administration of biologically active compounds, may markedly alter the metabolic fate of ingested compounds and should be considered during metabolic studies or toxicity testing procedures.