The metabolism and distribution of 4,4′-Methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) in rats

✍ Scribed by P. B. Farmer; J. Rickard; S. Robertson

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1981
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 586 KB
• Volume: 1
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0260-437X
• DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550010610

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

4,4′‐Methylene‐bis(2‐chloroaniline) (MBOCA), a known carcinogen in several animal species, is frequently found in the urine of humans exposed to the compound in the plastics industry. A knowledge of the metabolism and tissue distribution of MBOCA would be of value in monitoring exposure to this potential human carcinogen. Following intraperitoneal (i.p.) or oral administration of [^14^C]MBOCA to rats, approximately one third of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine. Only 1–2% of the radioactivity was identified as MBOCA by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. At least nine other metabolites were separated by reversed‐phase HPLC. Treatment of the urine with sulphatase–glucuronidase liberated two major deconjugated metabolites. No evidence was obtained for any major long‐term retention of MBOCA in the rat, although 48h after dosing approximately 2% of the administered radioactivity was associated with the liver. Despite the extensive metabolism of MBOCA in the rat, analysis of the urine of exposed workers showed only MBOCA at concentrations up to 1500 nmol 1^−1^. No evidence was found for the major metabolites identified in the rat.