The in vitro/in vivo comparative metabolism of 4-aminobiphenyl using isolated hepatocytes.

The metabolism of 4-aminobiphenyl by isolated hepatocytes from various species was compared with urinary metabolite profiles in the same species. Radioactive compounds in concentrates of ether extracts from hepatocytes or urine following hydrolysis were analysed by TLC and reversed phase HPLC in conjunction with radioactivity monitoring and synthetic standards. The major metabolites from hepatocytes and in urine were 4-acetamidobiphenyl, 3-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl 4'-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl and 4'-hydroxy-4-acetamidobiphenyl. Oxidation of the amine nitrogen gave hydroxylamino, nitroso and nitro compounds. Minor metabolites were 2'-hydroxy amine and amide, the hydroxamic acid and the oxamic acid. The urinary metabolite profiles correlated well with those from hepatocytes for each species.