Species differences in the metabolic conjugation of clofibric acid and clofibrate in laboratory animals and man.

The urinary metabolites of single doses of clofibric acid (p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid), and its ethyl ester, clofibrate, have been investigated in rat, guinea pig, rabbit, dog, cat, ferret, and human volunteers. Human volunteers, rodents, and rabbits given clofibric acid excreted 60-90% of the 14C dose in the urine in 24 hr, and the only metabolite found was the ester glucuronide of clofibric acid, together with small amounts of the unchanged acid. In the dog, cat, and ferret, however, urinary excretion of 14C was much slower (23-39% of dose in 24 hr) and these species all formed the taurine conjugate of clofibric acid, excreted together with the unchanged acid. The ester glucuronide was found in the urine of dog and ferret but not cat. The fate of clofibrate, the ethyl ester of clofibric acid, in rat, guinea pig, rabbit, and man was similar to that of the parent acid. The characterization of the glucuronic acid and taurine conjugates of clofibric acid is described.