Biotransformation and toxicokinetics of the insect repellent IR3535® in male and female human subjects after dermal exposure

Toxicol Lett. 2013 Apr 26;218(3):246-52. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2013.02.002. Epub 2013 Feb 10.

Abstract

The absorption and excretion of the insect repellent IR3535(®) was studied in human subjects (five males and five females) after dermal application of approx. 3g of a formulation containing 20% IR3535(®), i.e. the amounts of IR3535(®) applied were between 1.94 and 3.4 mmol/person (418-731 mg/person). Blood and urinary concentrations of IR3535(®) and its only metabolite, IR3535(®)-free acid, were determined over time. In plasma, concentrations of the parent compound IR3535(®) were at or below the limit of quantification (0.037 μmol/L). IR3535(®)-free acid peaked in plasma samples 2-6h after dermal application. Cmax mean values were 5.7 μmol/L in males, 3.0 μmol/L in females and 4.2 μmol/L in all volunteers. Mean AUC values were 41.6, 24.5 and 33.9 μmolL(-1)h in males, females and all subjects, respectively. In urine samples from all human subjects, both IR3535(®) and IR3535(®)-free acid were detectable, however, only very small amounts of IR3535(®) were found. Concentrations of IR3535(®)-free acid were several thousand-fold higher than the parent compound and peaked at the first two sampling points (4h and 8h after dermal application). Overall, IR3535(®) and IR3535(®)-free acid excreted with urine over 48 h representing 13.3 ± 3.05% of the dose applied. Since IR3535(®) is rapidly and extensively metabolized, and IR3535(®)-free acid has a low molecular weight and high water solubility, it is expected that urinary excretion of IR3535(®)-free acid and IR3535(®) represents the total extent of absorption of IR3535(®) in humans. Based on the results of this study, the skin penetration rate of IR3535(®) is 13.3% in humans after dermal application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adult
  • Area Under Curve
  • Biotransformation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Repellents / administration & dosage*
  • Insect Repellents / blood
  • Insect Repellents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Insect Repellents / toxicity
  • Insect Repellents / urine
  • Male
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate
  • Propionates / administration & dosage*
  • Propionates / blood
  • Propionates / pharmacokinetics*
  • Propionates / toxicity
  • Propionates / urine
  • Skin Absorption
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Insect Repellents
  • Propionates
  • ethyl-3-(N-n-butyl-N-acetyl)aminopropionate