A Liquid Chromatographic–Mass Spectrometric Method to Evaluate the Distribution Kinetics of 1,2-Diethylbenzene and Its Metabolite 1,2-Diacetylbenzene in the F344 Male Rat

Abstract

Diethylbenzene (DEB) is a moderately volatile, colorless liquid found in gasoline, kerosene, and fuel oils. Exposure to DEB has been shown to produce peripheral neuropathy in rats, and the ortho isomer of DEB (1,2-DEB) is generally believed to be the isomer responsible. 1,2-DEB is assumed to be metabolized primarily by direct oxidation of the ethyl side chain to form two enantiomers of 1-(2-ethylphenol) ethanol and their glucuroconjugates, which are the main 1,2-DEB metabolites, and 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB), a minor metabolite. The metabolite 1,2-DAB appears to be a chromogenic neurotoxin. A liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method using atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) for quantifying 1,2-DEB and 1,2-DAB in blood, urine, and brain tissues from animals treated with an intraperitoneal injection of 1,2-DEB was developed. Calibration curves were prepared using matrix-specific standards with concentrations ranging from 0.068 to 402 μM. Results indicate that the concentration of 1,2-DEB in blood peaked at 2 h post intraperitoneal injection and rapidly declined thereafter. In contrast, 1,2-DAB levels in blood were fairly constant up to 24 h postinjection. Urine concentrations of 1,2-DEB were highest at the first collection interval (0–12 h postinjection), and dropped rapidly thereafter; concentrations at 24 h were similar to concentrations observed at 48 h postexposure. Urine concentrations of 1,2-DAB, however, showed the reverse, with peak concentrations observed at 24 h postinjection and only a slight decrease in concentration by 48 h.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grant 1-P42-ES10338 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), with funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIEHS, NIH, or U.S. EPA.