The elimination of 3:4-benzpyrene from the animal body after subcutaneous injection

Abstract

AFTER the subcutaneous injection of 3:4-benzpyrene in the rat, two fluorescent elimination products have been detected in the faeces and urine: unchanged benzpyrene and a derivative of benzpyrene. In previous communications, the fluorescent derivative of benzpyrene extracted from bile was called 'BPX' and that from faeces 'BPF'. The fluorescence spectra of unpurified extracts of 'BPX' and 'BPF' showed two bands in the blue-violet region of the spectrum, but there was a slight shift in the position of the bands. However, after purification by solution in NaOH and adsorption on alumina, concentrates of 'BPX' and 'BPF' showed. the same fluorescence spectrum, and it appeared that the substances were identical. The expression 'BPX' is therefore used in this com- munication to denote the fluorescent derivative of benzpyrene extracted from the faeces as well as from the bile.