The biliary metabolism of butylated hydroxytoluene (3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-toluene) and its derivatives in the rat

Abstract

Abstract The biliary metabolism of 3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (BHT-CH2OH), 3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (BHT-CHO) and 3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (BHT-COOH) after parenteral administration has been examined in the rat and compared to that of 3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene. Quantitative excretion and chemical examination of bile showed that in the enterohepatic circulation BHT-COOH or its ester glucuronide is the recirculating compound from the four compounds studied. Biliary excretion data are also presented for 1, 2-bis(3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane.