Metabolism in vivo of 2, 4, 6, 2', 4', 6'-hexachlorobiphenyl in dog and partial characterization of cytochrome P-450 isozyme responsible for biotransformation of the congener

We reported previously that the dog is a unique species which can metabolize 2, 4, 5, 2', 4', 5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) by unusual mechanism via 2,3-arene oxide intermediate formation. 2, 4, 5, 2', 4', 5'-HCB is known as one of the PCB congeners showing the highest concentration in the blood of Yusho patients at present. Therefore, further investigation on the mechanism of biotransformation of PCB in the dog is very useful to obtain informations about metabolic fates of persistent congeners in the bodies of Yusho patients. In the present study, we examined in vivo metabolic pathways of 2, 4, 6, 2', 4', 6'-HCB in a dog, and also a role of cytochrome P-450 isozymes in its metabolism. In these experiments, three major metabolites were found in feces of the dog. These were identified to be 3-hydroxy-2, 4, 6, 2', 4', 6'-HCB (M-1), 4-hydroxy-2, 6, 2', 4', 6'-pentachlorobiphenyl (M-2) and 3, 4-dihydroxy-2, 6, 2', 4', 6'-PenCB (M-3), which were previously identified as the major metabolites in vitro. 4-Hydroxy-2, 3, 6, 2', 4', 6'-HCB has also been isolated as a metabolite in vitro, but not detected in this in vivo study. In conclusion, the present in vivo study supported the previous in vitro results that the dog metabolizes this congener at least two mechanisms including direct hydroxylation and arene oxide formation. It was also indicated that cytochrome P-450 isozymes responsible for metabolism of this congener may be in part different from those catalyzing the 2, 4, 5, 2', 4', 5'-HCB metabolism.