COMBUSTION OF C14 LABELED METHANOL IN INTACT RAT AND ITS ISOLATED TISSUES

Abstract

Methanol metabolism in the rat was examined with the aid of the C14-labeled alcohol. Complete combustion as measured by radioactive CO2 formation proceeded independently of the alcohol concn. at a rate of 25 mg./kg. of rat/hr. as compared to 175 mg./kg./hr. for ethanol. 89% of administered counts were recovered after 48 hrs.; 65% as CO2 in expired air, 14% as methanol in expired air, 3% as methanol in urine, 3% as formic acid in urine, and 4% fixed in tissues. The relative methanol oxidizing capacities of rat tissue slice were liver 100, kidney 34, intestine 8, heart 1, diaphragm 1 and brain 0.