Biochemical studies of toxic agents. 7. The metabolism of naphthalene in animals of different species

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Abstract
A study was made of the metabolism of naphthalene in rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and mice. Various metabolites of naphthalene were shown to be present in the urine of the dosed animals by means of paper chromatography or by isolation. All 4 spp. were found to convert naphthalene into 1- and 2-naphthol, l:2-dihydro-naphthalene-l:2-diol, 1-naphthylsulfuric acid (1-naphthyl hydrogen sulfate) and 1-naphthylmercapturic acid. 1:2-Dihydro-2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl glucosiduronic acid and 1-naphthyl glucosiduronic acid were shown to be present in the urines of rabbits and rats dosed with naphthalene. The latter compound was found to be a metabolite of naphthalene in the mouse. By means of paper chromatography, l:2-dihydroxynaphthalene was detected in the urine of guinea pigs dosed with naphthalene. The main difference encountered in the metabolism of napthalene in animals of different species was in the optical activity of the l:2-dihydronaphthalene-l:2-diol present in the urine.