METABOLISM OF 3-TERT-BUTYL-4-HYDROXYANISOLE TO 3-TERT-BUTYL-4,5-DIHYDROXYANISOLE BY RAT-LIVER MICROSOMES

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 45  (4) , 1507-1510
Abstract
3-tert-Butylhydroxyanisole (3-BHA) is an antioxidant which can have a modulating effect on chemical carcinogenesis. Information concerning the metabolism of 3-BHA is incomplete. In the present study, the metabolites formed by incubating 3-BHA with liver microsomes from rats given .beta.-naphthoflavone by orally intubation were studied. Three metabolites were identified, 2 major metabolites and a minor metabolite. One of the major metabolites was the catechol of 3-BHA, i.e., 3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydroxyanisole, which has not previously been reported. A characteristic of this compound is its capacity to be oxidized readily. The 2nd major metabolite was tert-butyl hydroquinone which has been reported previously to be a liver microsomal metabolite of 3-BHA. The 3rd metabolite, which occurred in small quantities, was 2,2''-dihydroxy-3,3''-di-tert-butyl-5,5''-dimethoxydiphenyl. 2,2''-Dihydroxy-3,3''-di-tert-butyl-5,5''-dimethoxydiphenyl was identified previously as a major metabolite of 3-BHA in the rat intestine. An understanding of the metabolism of 3-BHA may assist in elucidating the mechanism(s) of its biological effects.