DISPOSITION OF THE PLASMACYTOMAGENIC ALKANE PRISTANE (2,6,10,14-TETRAMETHYLPENTADECANE) IN MICE

The intraperitoneal administration of pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylp entadecane) induces peritoneal plasmacytomas in genetically susceptibl e BALB/c mice. The purpose of this study was to estimate the dispositi on of an amount of intraperitoneally injected pristane that would conv entionally be used in a tumor induction protocol. The distribution of H-3-labeled pristane in various tissues was monitored by liquid scinti llation counting at different times after injection. The data show tha t pristane is present in the blood and detectable in all tested tissue s during an observation period of one to 64 days. The levels of prista ne fluctuate in some tissues such as lymph node and bone marrow but sh ow a clear tendency to accumulate in others such as liver, spleen and kidney. Evidence is also presented for the in vivo metabolism of prist ane based on the observed urinary excretion of tritium and on the high levels of radioactivity in the gall bladder fluid. It is concluded th at intraperitoneally administered pristane is distributed throughout t he mouse and is stored in tissues in sufficient amounts to allow inter actions with the cells residing there.