1. The toxicokinetics and metabolism of 4-methylimidazole (4-MZ) have
been studied in the male F344 rat using C-14 radiolabelled compound. R
adioactivity in plasma and urine was profiled by hplc. 2. After gavage
administration of 50 mg/kg, about 85% of the administered radioactivi
ty was recovered in urine within 48 h. The majority of the radioactivi
ty in urine or plasma was associated with the parent compound and only
one minor hydrophilic metabolite was present in urine and in plasma.
Elimination of radioactivity via fecal, biliary or respiration was neg
ligible. 3. Elimination of 4-MZ after an i.v. dose of 5 mg/kg can be d
escribed by a two-compartment process with an estimated half-life of 1
.8 h and an estimated apparent volume of distribution of 2.3 litre/kg.
4. After gavage at doses of 5, 50 and 150 mg/kg, 4-MZ was readily abs
orbed with a estimated bioavailability of 60-70%. 5. Urinary excretion
data indicated that renal clearance of 4-MZ accounted for about 80% o
f total body plasma clearance. Based on the estimated AUC of metabolit
e and the estimated renal clearance of 4-MZ, the formation of metaboli
te and the renal clearance of 4-MZ appeared to be a saturable process.