A Study of the Effect of Hydrocarbon Structure on the Induction of Male Rat Nephropathy and Metabolite Structure

The identification of the urinary metabolites have been identified using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Histopathologic examination of the kidneys revealed minimal hyaline droplet formation (alpha 2u-globulin nephropathy) in the proximal tubule area from 2- methylheptane (2-MH). While 2,5-dimethylhexane (2,5-DMH) revealed moderate hyaline droplet formation in the renal proximal tubule. Work is currently progressing on the metabolism of 3-methylheptane. There are 16 separate metabolites which have been found, but only 3 have been identified. This molecule's metabolism is very complex. Pathological results indicate that it is more nephrotoxic than 2-methylheptane or n-octane, two structural isomers.