Distribution and metabolism of insect repellant N,N-diethylphenylacetamide on oral exposure in rats.

Oral toxicity, distribution and metabolism of a new multi-insect repellant, N,N-diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA) was studied in rats. On administration of DEPA (851 mg/kg body wt.) labelled with 14C blood, liver, stomach and stomach contents had 2.65, 3.97, 12.07 and greater than 50.66% radioactivity, respectively, after 20 min. Gas chromatographic analysis showed presence of both DEPA and its metabolite N-ethylphenylacetamide (EPA) in blood, liver, kidneys and lungs while only DEPA was present in stomach and stomach contents. EPA, phenylacetamide and conjugated phenylacetic acid were excreted along with unmetabolized parent compound in urine of rats when a low oral dose of DEPA (70 mg/kg body wt.) was administered. Activities of erythrocyte cholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase did not change significantly upon acute oral exposure to DEPA.