Tissue distribution of styrene, styrene glycol and more polar styrene metabolites in the mouse.

Abstract

The tissue distribution of styrene, styrene glycol and more polar metabolites in mice was determined at different times (0.5-5 h) after the i.p. administration of styrene (3.3 mmol/kg). The dose dependence of the metabolite pattern of styrene was also determined in the different tissues. The dose range chosen was 1.1-4.9 mmol styrene/kg administered i.p., and the time delay 2 h after dosing. The highest initial concentrations of unchanged styrene were found in adipose tissue, pancreas, liver and brain. Styrene glycol reached its maximum concentration within 1 h in most tissues. The levels in the kidneys, lungs, pancreas and liver exceeded those in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Only in the liver and kidneys was a notable amount of styrene glycol conjugated. Polar metabolites occurred to a considerable extent in the liver, kidneys, lungs and plasma. The concentration of unmetabolized styrene seemed to increase exponentially with the dose in subcutaneous adipose tissue, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain. No tendency towards a decreased relative occurrence of styrene glycol was observed at higher doses. When the dose was increased, the more polar metabolites occurred at relatively lower levels in all tissues except brain.