Toxicokinetics of Fluoranthene, Pyrene and Benz(a)anthracene in the Rat

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are common environment pollutants contain fluoranthene, pyrene and benz(a)anthracene (B(a)A) in addition to several other aromatic hydrocarbons. The aim of the present study was to examine the toxicokinetics properties of these substances in the rat. Fluoranthene, pyrene or B(a)A were administered intravenously or intragastrically in a dose of 20 mg/kg. Changes in the PAH concentration following intravenous or intragastric administration were described according to a one-compartment model. The calculated toxicokinetic parameters show that there are differences in absorption, distribution and rate elimination between the compounds studied, despite certain chemical similarities. High correlation coefficients between the values of clearance, volume of distribution, areas under the concentration-time curve, blood-serum partition coefficient and their solubility in water were found for the compounds tested. Based upon of changes in the clearance of the PA...