The biliary metabolites of butylated hydroxytoluene in the rat

Abstract
The biliary metabolites from intravenous and intraperitoneal doses of small amounts of [14C]butylated hydroxytoluene have been separated and estimated. The metabolites recognized were the alcohol (II), aldehyde (III) and acid (IV) together with small amounts of the diphenyl ethane (VI). Three other metabolites appear to be present in relatively large amounts. The pattern of metabolites in bile and urine has been compared. It is suggested that the relatively low excretion of the acid (IV) in the urine compared to bile is due to a selective reabsorption of this compound after biliary excretion.