Metabolism of hexachlorobenzene by rat-liver microsomes.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was metabolized to dechlorinated and hydroxylated products by the mixed-function oxidase system of rat-liver microsomes (phenobarbital- or 3-methylcholanthrene-induced). Metabolites were identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. 14C-HCB was bound to microsomal protein. No explanation was found for the sex-dependent hepatotoxicity of HCB in rats.