Biotransformation of n-hexane and methyl n-butyl ketone in guinea pigs and mice.
Peripheral neuropathies caused by exposures to the industrial solvents n-hexane and MBK exhibit strinkingly similar characteristics. In in vivo studies, the metabolites of MBK and n-hexane identified in blood and urine of guinea pigs were 2-hexanol (partly as glucuronide in urine); and 2,5-hexanedione which was detected only in MBK treated groups. Phenobarbital pretreatment increased 2-hexanol urinary excretion in both solvent treatment groups. In in vitro studies, hepatic reduction of MBK required the cytosol fraction to form 2-hexanol; whereas the oxidation of MBK and n-hexane required the microsomal fraction to form 2,5-hexanedione and 2-hexanol, respectively. The in vivo and in vitro biotransformation of MBK and n-hexane to a common metabolite (2-hexanol) suggests that the neurotoxic action of these solvents may be metabolite related.
D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006586:Hexanes / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007659:Ketones / Q000378:metabolism*; D008742:Methyl n-Butyl Ketone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D051379:Mice; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology
D006586:Hexanes; D007659:Ketones; D008742:Methyl n-Butyl Ketone; D010634:Phenobarbital