[Metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha)anthracene in vivo]

The metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha) anthracene (DMBA) was studied, using labelled DMBA-H3, after intravenous injection of the carcinogen in female animals. The maximum excretion of the metabolites took place during the period ranging from 6 to 24 hours. The content of liposoluble metabolites in the urine was insignificant (about 6%), whereas in feces it was much higher (about 40%). Among the metabolites in feces the content of DMBA, 12-hydroxymethyl-7-methylbenz(alpha)anthracene and unidentified DMBA metabolite was significantly high. The content of 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(alpha) anthracene fails to show any significant level.