Biochemical studies of toxic agents. 13. The metabolism of acenaphthylene

Abstract

The metabolism of acenaphthylene in rabbits and rats has been studied after the administration of the hydrocarbon by stomach tube or by subcutaneous injection. cis- and trans-Acenaphthene-l,2-diol have been shown to be metabolites of acenaphthylene by their isolation from the urine of dosed rabbits and by confirmation of their identity by synthesis. The presence of these compounds in the urine of dosed rats has been demonstrated by means of paper chromatography. Liberation of cis- and trans-acenaphthene-1,2,-diol has been shown to occur when the urine of rabbits and rats dosed with acenaphthylene is hydrolysed with B-glucuronidase. The absence of any significant interconversion of cis- and trans-acenaphthene-l,2-diol in urine has been demonstrated. Naphthalic acid has been isolated in the form of its anhydride from the acidified urine of animals dosed with acenaphthylene.