Metabolism and disposition of propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) beta isomer in male rats

Male Fischer 344 rats were given a single po dose of approximately 1 or 8.7 mmol/kg of radiolabelled propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) beta isomer (2-methoxy-1-propanol). After dosing, expired air, excreta, and tissues were analyzed for 14C activity and metabolites in urine were isolated and identified. Approximately 70 to 80% of the 14C was excreted in urine while about 10 to 20% was eliminated as 14CO2 within 48 hr after dosing. The major urinary metabolite was 2-methoxypropionic acid, which accounted for approximately 93 and 79% of the radioactivity in urine from high- and low-dose animals, respectively. A glucuronide conjugate of the PGME beta isomer was also identified in urine; this metabolite accounted for approximately 3 to 4% of the radioactivity in the urine at both dosages. These results indicate that the PGME beta isomer is metabolized via different routes to different types of metabolites in comparison to the PGME alpha isomer. While the two isomers are biotransformed differently, there is a substantial toxicological data base which clearly shows that the commercial grade PGME mixture (2 to 5% beta isomer) has a low degree of biological activity.