RESUMO
The pharmacokinetics, metabolism and excretion of monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were compared after intravenous or oral administration of [(14)C]MEP or [(14)C]DEP in juvenile beagle dogs. Four male juvenile beagle dogs were treated with a single oral or bolus intravenous dose of either [(14)C]MEP or [(14)C]DEP (164 µg/kg). The absorption, metabolism, excretion and pharmacokinetics of [(14)C]MEP and [(14)C]DEP were nearly identical. [(14)C]DEP was rapidly and nearly completely metabolized to [(14)C]MEP following either intravenous or oral administration. [(14)C]MEP and[(14)C]DEP were rapidly absorbed, the elimination half-life was estimated to be 1 hour. Approximately 90%-96% of the dose was excreted in urine with 2%-3% of the dose in faeces. MEP accounted for the majority of the dose in plasma and urine; in addition, three minor metabolites (M1, M2 and M3) were detected. The minor metabolites were neither phthalic acid nor glucuronide/sulfate conjugates. The nearly identical metabolism and pharmacokinetics of MEP and DEP in juvenile dogs justifies the use of DEP toxicity data in the risk assessment of MEP exposure.