Pharmacokinetics of T-2 tetraol, a urinary metabolite of the trichothecene mycotoxin, T-2 toxin, in dog.

1. The urinary metabolites of T-2 toxin were identified and analysed quantitatively after i.v. administration to dogs. 2. A new routine assay for T-2 tetraol was developed and a pharmacokinetic study was carried out on this final hydrolytic metabolite of T-2 toxin. T-2 tetraol was excreted in urine for 2-3 days. Its 'sigma minus' plot demonstrated a significantly longer apparent half-life than its precursors (T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin). This fact was explained by extraplasma binding causing prolongation of the metabolism and excretion of T-2 toxin metabolites. 3. The urinary metabolites of T-2 toxin were: HT-2 toxin, T-2 triol and T-2 tetraol. The metabolites were excreted in free and conjugated forms. In two dogs T-2 toxin was found in the urine in an amount which accounts for 3.2 and 16% of the administered dose respectively. The cumulative amount of the identified metabolites and toxins formed in the urine ranged from 9.7 to 17.3% in four dogs and 44.7% in one dog.