Metabolism of toxaphene components in rats.

Metabolic fates of 14C-toxaphene and two of the toxic components of toxaphene were studied in vitro by using rat liver enzyme preparations. The enzyme systems involving toxaphene metabolism were characterized, using known cofactors and inhibitors to activate or inhibit individual enzyme reactions. The nature of toxaphene metabolites was studied through derivatization of metabolic products via chemical and enzymatic treatments. The results of the in vitro studies were compared to the metabolic patterns observed in vivo to ascertain the relative importance of each enzyme system in the total process of toxaphene degradation and excretion.