[Comparative studies in vivo and in vitro on the formation of phenolic biphenyl metabolites in various animal species (author's transl)[]

Abstract

The enzymatic hydroxylation of biphenyl in the liver microsome fractions of rabbits, guinea pigs and rats has been studied. They hydroxylated biphenyls were detected by thin-layer and gas chromatography. By the aid of gas chromatography all the hydroxybiphenyls could be quantitatively determined simultaneously. The following results were obtained: 1. 3-Hydroxybiphenyl, 3,4-dihydroxybiphenyl and 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl were detected along with the already known biphenyls with hydroxy groups in o- and p-positions. 2. Beside the prevailing p-hydroxybiphenyl, the m-hydroxy derivative was found in greater amounts than the o-hydroxybiphenyl. 3. The ratios of the amounts of the individual biphenyl metabolites versus one another varied with the animal species. Differences were shown among both young and old animals within a single species. With rats, the hydroxylation pattern was found to depend on the race. 4. Orientation studies of the conjugate fractions of rabbits and mice fed with biphenyl indicated that, in addition to the metabolites mentioned, the glucuronosides of 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxybiphenyl and 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl could be detected in urine.