THE METABOLISM OF 3-METHYLHEPTANE IN MALE 344 FISCHER RATS

3-Methylheptane (3-MH), a component of fuels and solvents, is found wi dely distributed in the environment. Male 344 Fischer rats, dosed by g avage with 3-MH yielded the following urinary metabolites, identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry: 3,5-diethyl-2,3-dihydrofu ran, 3-ethyl-6-methyl-2,3-dihydropyran, 3-methyl-heptanol, 3-methyl-2- heptanol, 5-methyl-2-heptanol, 2-n-butyl-1,3-butanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-h exanediol, beta-methyl-delta-enantholactone, 3-methyl-3,4-heptanediol, 3-methyl-3,4-heptanediol, 3-methyl-3,5-heptanediol, 2-ethyl-1,4-hexan ediol, 8-methyl-delta-enantholactone, 5-methyl-2,5-heptanediol, 2-ethy l-1,5-hexanediol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. Pathological evalution of t he proximal tubules of the rat's kidneys rated 3-MH as a moderate indu cer of the the hyaline droplet nephropathy induced by branched chain h ydrocarbons.