Metabolic studies in the rat with 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenol: a haemorrhagic antioxidant structurally related to butylated hydroxytoluene.

Single oral doses of the haemorrhagic antioxidant 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenol (260 mg/kg) were well absorbed in the rat. Peak blood levels of this compound were reached in 15-60 min. The blood elimination half-lives were 18.2 min for the alpha-phase and 11.8 h for the slower beta-phase. Max. tissue concns. of this compound were reached 2-3 h in the liver, 2-6 h in kidneys, 1.5-2.5 h in spleen and greater than 24 h in epididymal adipose tissues. This compound and its metabolites were not excreted in the urine; a metabolite but not the parent compound was detected in the faeces. The faecal metabolite had a mol. wt. of 261, and was considered to be 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenoxy radical. 2,4,6-Tri-t-butylphenoxy radical was also detected in the bile of rats after oral administration of the parent phenol.