The metabolism of γ-2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohex-1-ene and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane in rats

Abstract

After intraperitoneal administration, gamma-hexa-chlorocyclohexane (Gammexane) and gamma-2,3,4,5,6-pentachloro-cyclohex-1-ene were converted by rats in 2,3,5- and 2,4,5-trichloro-phenols, which were excreted as free phenols and as sulphuric acid and glucuronic acid conjugates. Derivatives of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and 2,4,5-trichlorophenylglucosidurinic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenyl-mercapturic acid were isolated from the urine as metabolites by gamma-2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohex-l-ene. The phenolic metabolites of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane and gamma-2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohex-l-ene isolated from urine were similar to those of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, which indicates that the two latter compounds are intermediates in gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane metabolism in rats.