3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene absorption, disposition, and metabolism in male Fischer 344 rats

3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) is a contaminant generated during the synthesis of 3,4-dichloroaniline and 3,4-dichloroaniline-derived pesticides. TCAB is isosteric to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and has been shown to bind to the Ah receptor. Following oral administration of [¹⁴C]TCAB (3.2 and 32 mg/kg), 39-45% of the dosed radioactivity was excreted into the urine and 53-56% was recovered in the faces within 48 hr. Less than 6% of the dosed radioactivity remained in the tissues examined at 96 hr. After intravenous administration (3.2 mg/kg), 33% of the dose was excreted in the bile during 6 hr. TCAB metabolites in urine were identified using LC/MS. The major metabolites were sulfate ester conjugates of hydroxylated mono- or dichloroaniline derivatives. Some of these metabolites were also acetylated. After intravenous administration, the disappearance of [¹⁴C]TCAB from blood was monitored, and the pharmacokinetic profile was consistent with a two-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic parameters reveal that the compound is readily cleared from the blood with a t( 1/2 ) of 4.0 hr, clearance of 12.3 ml/min · kg, and an apparent volume of distribution of 4.3 liters/kg. The absolute oral bioavailability was determined to be 30%. The extensive azo reduction of TCAB decreases its systemic absorption after oral administration and thereby limits the amount of parent compound available to interact with the Ah receptor and decreases the Ah receptor-mediated toxicity.