Protective effects of butylated hydroxyanisole and its analogs on the lung toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene in mice.

Dietary administration of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its analogs, 2-tert-butyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol resulted in complete protection against the lung toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in mice. The protective effects of these compounds could not be accounted for by their ability to enhance glutathione (GSH) S-transferase activity in the lung and/or liver.