Pharmacokinetics and distribution of styrene monomer in rats after intravenous administration

Abstract

An interest in the pharmacokinetics of styrene monomer in the rat, arising from the presence of the monomer in the industrial work place and in foods, necessitated an investigation of the dose dependency of the kinetics of styrene monomer when administered by the iv route. A rapid distribution of the monomer to the major organs was observed, and all of the rate coefficients describing the rates of distribution and elimination decreased with increasing dose. No change in the apparent volume of distribution with dose was observed. Some evidence for the involvement of saturable metabolic pathways was obtained.