The toxicity of dimethoxyphenol and related compounds in the cat
Miller, J.J.; Powell, G.M.; Olavesen, A.H.; Curtis, C.G.
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 38(1): 47-57
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-008X PMID: 982472 Document Number: 104087
The metabolic fate of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, phenol and quinol (hydroquinone) were investigated in the cat. The nature of the urinary metabolic products was dependent upon the dose of the phenol administered, although in all cases the major detoxication products were sulfate conjugates. Hydroxylation of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and phenol to the corresponding quinols is a major pathway and at relatively high doses unconjugated quinols were found in the urine. Experiments with para-substituted phenols suggest that quinol formation is an obligatory step leading to poisoning in the cat. 2,6-Dimethoxyquinol and quinol had no effect on mitochondrial respiration in vitro whereas the corresponding quinones were potent inhibitors. Inhibition was not observed in the presence of L-cysteine. [2,6-Dimethoxyhenol is a hydrolysis product of the short-acting anesthetic 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl-2-morpholinopropionate hydrochloride, which produces toxic effects in cats.].