Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of deuterium-labelled di-2-(ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) in humans.

The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of [2H10]di-2-(ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) labelled on the ethyl side-chains was determined in six male volunteers. The dose administered was 46 mg [2H10]DEHA given orally. No parent molecule was found in plasma; however, the metabolite [2H5]2-ethylhexanoic acid (EHA) was detected (mean rate of formation: 1.63 +/- 1.19/hr; mean rate of elimination: 0.42 +/- 0.1/hr). Further oxidative metabolism products were detected in urine; the dominant metabolite identified was EHA present as a conjugate and accounted for an average of 8.6% of the administered dose. [2H5]2-Ethyl-5-hydroxyhexanoic acid, [2H5]2-ethylhexanedioic acid, [2H5]2-ethyl-5-keto-hexanoic acid and [2H5]2-ethylhexanol together accounted for a further 3.5% of the dose. The fate of the remainder was not determined.