Comparative kinetics of oral benz(a)anthracene, chrysene and triphenylene in rats: study with hydrocarbon mixtures

Distribution and elimination of benz(a)anthracene (B(a)A) was compared in blood, liver, brain, parametrial adipose and mammary tissue of young female rats after oral administration of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) singly or in equimolar mixtures with chrysene (Ch) or triphenylene (Tr). The relative availability of B(a)A in tissues was not influenced by Ch or Tr in the mixture. However, the presence of B(a)A halved the relative availability of Tr and raised that of Ch. The relative availability of the three isomers decreased in the order Tr greater than B(a)A greater than Ch; this may be correlated to their solubility in water.