title: The metabolism of some pentachlorodibenzofurans in the rat.
abstract: Three pentachlorodibenzofurans (23478-, 12378- and 12348-penta-CDF) were prepared by isomer-specific syntheses and administered to bile duct-cannulated rats in single oral doses. All three compounds were metabolized and metabolites excreted in the bile. Metabolites were identified by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry after clean-up and methylation of bile samples. Phenolic metabolites (identified as methyl ether derivatives) were formed from all three penta-CDFs by aromatic hydroxylation or by hydrolytic dechlorination. Cleavage of the ether bond with formation of a biphenyl derivative was observed with 23478-penta-CDF; from this compound small amounts of a sulphur-containing metabolite were also formed. All three penta-CDFs followed a common metabolic pathway but differed in the distribution of the metabolites. 12348-CDF was biotransformed more efficiently than the two other isomers. Unmetabolized penta-CDFs were also excreted in the bile.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000378:metabolism*; D001711:Biotransformation; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated