Effects of inhaled 1-bromopropane vapor on rat metabolism

Wistar male rats were exposed to 1-bromopromane (1-BP) vapor for 6 h a day, 5 days a week, for 3 and 4 weeks (1500 ppm) and 1 day, and 4 and 12 weeks (700 ppm). After the exposures, 1-BP and its metabolites were measured temporally. In the samples obtained from the 700 ppm exposures, hematological and biochemical examinations in blood and measurements of hepatic cytochromes P450 were carried out. 1-BP in blood decreased rapidly to the detection limit within 0.7 h. On the other hand, bromine ion persisted longer in both blood and urine; the biological half-life of bromine ion was 4.7-15.0 days in blood and 5.0-7.5 days in urine. Glycidol was detected in the urine samples. Based on the experimental results, the metabolic pathway of 1-BP was discussed. Hepatic cytochromes P450, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood decreased significantly with 1-BP exposure, but other enzyme activities did not differ significantly. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.