Studies in detoxication. 49. The metabolism of benzene containing [14C1]benzene

Abstract

attempts were made to account for the whole of an oral dose of benzene in rabbits. About 75 % could be accounted for in gross terms of oxidized and unchanged benzene, and only a few of the metabolites excreted could be fairly accurately assessed. No reliable estimate of metabolites other than catechol, phenylmercapturic acid and muconic acid could be made. Using benzene labelled with one 14C-atom, we have been able to make a reasonable balance sheet for the fate of a single dose ofbenzene and also to make accurate estimates of most of its metabolites.