Excretion of benzo[a]pyrene and metabolites in urine and feces of rats: influence of route of administration, sex and long-term ethanol treatment.

The urinary and fecal excretion of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and its main metabolites were studied after oral and intraperitoneal administration of B[a]P to male and female ethanol-treated and non-ethanol-treated rats. After oral administration of B[a]P more mutagenic compounds as well as B[a]P metabolites were found in feces than after intraperitoneal administration. The excretion of B[a]P metabolites in urine and feces after oral administration were maximal at days 1 and 2 whereas after intraperitoneal administration excretion was maximal at days 2 and 3.

Growth and liver morphology after long-term ethanol consumption of rats.

Ethanol was administered to female and male Wistar rats by mixing it with their drinking water. Ethanol concentrations were gradually increased up to either 8% or 15%. Female rats receiving 8% ethanol in their drinking water consumed 5-13 g, males 4-10 g daily.