[Metabolism of beclobrate in rat and man]

The major pathway of biotransformation of beclobrate [(2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]phenoxy]-2-methylbutyric acid ethyl ester] is the ester cleavage to beclobrinic acid (M1), which is eliminated as glucuronide. Subsequent metabolic attack is occurring via oxidation of the methylene bridge to the carbinol (M2) as well as to the benzophenone (M3). The p-chloro substituted phenyl ring is oxidated via a postulated arene oxide to the 2'- and 3'-phenol metabolites (M5 and M6) and to the trans-2',3'-dihydrodiol (M4). Except M4, all metabolites are eliminated exclusively as glucuronides.