Metabolism, bioavailability, and toxicokinetics of benzo(α)pyrene in F-344 rats following oral administration

The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)p], subsequent to oral exposure. Eight-week-old F-344 rats were dosed orally with 100 mg/kg body weight B(a)p and sacrificed at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0. 8.0, 24, 48 and 72 hours post exposure. Blood, liver, reproductive tissues, urine and fecal samples were collected at necropsy and were analyzed for parent B(a)p and metabolites by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Peak levels of B(a)p in plasma occurred 8 hours after exposure (67%) followed by a gradual decrease. Liver retained 10% of the administered B(a)p up to 24 hours following, which the levels dropped during the remaining time periods studied. Twenty-four hours after administration, 45% of the dose was excreted in feces and urine. Metabolite levels in plasma peaked at 24 hours (10%) and decreased to 1% at 72 hours. In the liver, metabolite levels were higher at 8 hours (10%) but were only 3% at 72 hours. Benzo(a)pyrene levels increased after 24 hours in the reproductive organs and constituted 10% of the administered dose at 72 hours. Blood showed high levels of 7,8-diol than 9,10 and 4,5-diols which were high in liver and reproductive organs. Compared to diols, the hydroxy metabolites were detected at high levels in urine and fecal samples. Among the aqueous phase metabolites, glucuronides were at higher levels compared to glutathiones and sulfates. The slow release of unmetabolized B(a)p from reproductive organs and the presence of reactive metabolites in these organs is a matter of concern as they could interfere with gonadal steroid synthesis and release and its regulatory role in gamete production, maturation and function of male animals in a continuous exposure paradigm.