Increased acetone exhalation induced by metabolites of halogenated C₁ and C₂ compounds

Rats were exposed, in a closed desiccator jar chamber, to concentrations of various halogenated C₁ and C₂ compounds at which the metabolizing capacities were saturated (V_max conditions). Within the exposure period of 50 h concentrations of the xenobiotic and of exhaled acetone were monitored in the gas phase of the system. The quantitative extent of acetone exhalation was dependent on the individual compound examined. Acetone exhalation was stimulated in presence of vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, cis-and trans-1,2-di-chloroethylene, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and 1,1,2-trichloroethane. No stimulation of acetone exhalation occured with 1,1,1-trichloroethane and with the reference hydrocarbon n-hexane. Also, acetone exhalation was evoked by infusions of either fluoroacetate or chloroacetate, two anticipated or proven metabolites of some haloethylenes; the infusion rates of which were based on calculations of the metabolic rates of vinylidene fluoride and of vinyl chloride, respectively.