Metabolite Profiling of [14C]hexahydro-1, 3, 5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in Yucatan Miniature Pigs

• Published in: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A Part A, 2007-01, Vol.70 (14), p.1191-1202
• Main Authors: Major, Michael A., Reddy, Gunda, Berge, Milan A., Patzer, Shari S., Li, Austin C., Gohdes, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Carbon Isotopes; Chromatography, Liquid; Explosive Agents - chemistry; Explosive Agents - metabolism; Explosive Agents - toxicity; Liver - metabolism; Mass Spectrometry; Molecular Weight; Soil Pollutants - chemistry; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; Swine; Swine, Miniature; Triazines - chemistry; Triazines - metabolism; Triazines - toxicity
• ISSN: 1528-7394; 1087-2620
• DOI: 10.1080/15287390701252717

The study reported herein examined the metabolism of 14 C-labeled hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) resulting from a single oral gavage of 5 ml/kg to male and female Yucatan miniature pigs (43 mg/kg, 56 μCi/kg in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose in water). Blood, urine, and feces were collected at selected times of 1, 6, 12, and 24 h postdose. At 24 h postdose, liver samples were collected. Blood, plasma, liver, and excreta were analyzed for total RDX-derived radioactivity and metabolites were identified. Urine was the major route of elimination of 14 C-RDX-derived radioactivity in both males and females. Relatively low levels of radioactivity were found in gastrointestinal contents and in feces, suggesting nearly complete absorption of 14 C-RDX following an oral dose. Analysis of urine by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) identified quantifiable levels of two ring-cleavage metabolites, 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal and 4-nitro-2,4-diaza-butanamide, as well as parent RDX. The 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal, was seen in earlier studies of aerobic metabolism of RDX. The 4-nitro-2,4-diaza-butanamide, an amide, was not previously reported but was tentatively identified in this study. Analysis by a more sensitive method (LC/MS/MS) also showed trace amounts of the RDX metabolites 1-nitroso-3, 5-dinitro-1, 3, 5-triazacyclohexane (MNX) (in both male and female urine) and 1-nitro-3, 5-dinitroso-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (DNX) (in male urine). Analysis of plasma by LC/MS/MS also revealed quantifiable levels of RDX and trace levels of MNX, DNX, and 1,3,5,-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (TNX). None of the liver extracts showed quantifiable levels of RDX or any identifiable metabolites. Most of the radioactivity was in the form of water-soluble high-molecular-weight compounds. RDX when given orally to pigs was rapidly metabolized by loss of two nitro groups followed by ring cleavage.