Excretion and storage of [¹⁴C] toxaphene and two isolated [¹⁴C] toxaphene fractions

Abstract

The 7-d urinary and fecal excretions of [14C]toxaphene and two isolated [14C]toxaphene fractions (polar fraction 7 and nonpolar fraction 2) were determined in orally dosed rats. The urinary, fecal, and total excretions of toxaphene were, respectively, 22.5, 35.7, and 58.2% of the administered dose. The total excretions of fractions 2 and 7 were, respectively, 69.4 and 65.0%, and the overall order of excretion was fraction 2 greater than toxaphene greater than fraction 7. All three groups had low toxaphene levels (below 0.2 ppm) in all tissues analyzed except for fat, where significant levels were detected. Hexane and chloroform extracts of the urine revealed that the activity was more polar than the parent material for all three groups. Apparently, toxaphene must be metabolized before it can be excreted in the urine. When fat extracts were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and autoradiography, differences were found between the parent material and the extracted activity. There was an increase in polar activity in the residue obtained from toxaphene-treated rats. The fat from the fraction 2 group contained fraction 2 and two additional more polar spots, which represented about 11% of the total activity. The fat from the fraction 7 group also contained two additional spots, but they were less polar than fraction 7. Apparently, the metabolism of fraction 7 results in some products that are less polar and, perhaps, more persistent.

Distribution of toxaphene, DDT, and PCB among lipoprotein fractions in rat and human plasma

“…Although its fate in the organism has been studied (Crowder and Dindal 1974;Ohsawa et al 1975;Saleh et al 1979;Pollock and Kilgore 1980;Mohammed et al 1983), no data seem to be available on the interaction between toxaphene and macromolecules present in plasma. In view of recent findings concerning the interference of the substance with the synthesis and/or release of adrenal corticosteroids in rats (Mohammed et al 1985), it was of interest to look for possible interference of toxaphene with the metabolism of plasma lipids.…”

Development of a reference dose for the persistent congeners of weathered toxaphene based on in vivo and in vitro effects related to tumor promotion

“…These processes are also considered a form of ''weathering.'' Oral administration of toxaphene to mammals and birds results in fecal passage of about 40% of the administered chemical and metabolism and urinary excretion of the remaining toxaphene on a time scale of weeks (Andrews et al, 1996;Biessman et al, 1983;Pollock and Hillstrand, 1982;Pollock and Kilgore, 1980;Mohammed et al, 1983). Only five or six persistent congeners remain in the tissues of mammals and birds.…”

“…These other endpoints were studied using TT, (Andrews et al, 1996;Biessman et al, 1983;Pollock and Hillstrand, 1982;Pollock and Kilgore, 1980;Mohammed et al, 1983). Because of the rapid metabolism and excretion of TT in higher animals and the concept of ''auto-testing'' as previously discussed, TT studies are appropriate for contributing to the breadth of endpoints considered for P 3PC and contribute to the strength of the database regarding potential effects of P 3PC.…”

Toxaphene [MAK Value Documentation, 2003]

“…It was not determined whether or not a fraction of the excreted radioactivity remained in the methanol-insoluble fraction of the faeces, as shown by Ohsawa et al (1975). The adipose tissue contained 6.4 µg toxaphene equivalents per g tissue, other tissues (brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen) less than 0.2 µg (Pollock and Kilgore 1980).…”