Distribution and metabolism of 2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol in the everted rat gut preparation.

The distribution of BHA and its conversion to di-BHA in the everted rat gut preparation was monitored by GC/MS analysis of both compounds in the mucosal and serosal side solutions and in the ileum wall. Following 1 h incubation at 27 degrees C, BHA concentration in the mucosal side solution was found to decay from an initial value of 0.1 mM down to 0.033 mM, while in the ileum it reached a 0.35 mM concentration. The amount of di-BHA found at this time in the ileum wall accounted for the transformation of 5% of the amount of BHA present in this compartment.