In vitro and in vivo evaluation of propylene glycol ethers metabolism in humans
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
09.2025
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Type
01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
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Series
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Volume
118
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
104795
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Elsevier
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Abstract
Propylene glycol ethers (PGEs) consist of a major α-isomer (secondary alcohol group) and a minor β-isomer (primary alcohol group). Animal studies have reported toxic effects of the β-isomer metabolites, but human metabolism of PGEs remains poorly understood. We aimed to characterize the metabolism of two common PGEs in humans. Nine participants were exposed under controlled conditions (4 h) to propylene glycol ethyl ether (PGEE) or propylene glycol propyl ether (PGPE) (<35 ppm). Blood and urine samples were collected, and the respective β-isomers metabolites; 2-ethoxypropanoic acid (2-EPA) and 2-propoxypropanoic acid (2-PPA) were quantified. The 2-PPA blood absorption rate was 0.0005 ± 0.0002 µg/mL/h*ppm followed by rapid urinary elimination (half-life: 2 h) and slower secondary elimination (half-life: 10 h). No dose-response was observed for 2-EPA; therefore, β-PGEE metabolism was investigated in vitro using human liver S9 fractions. We provide 2-EPA hepatic kinetic and enzyme kinetic parameters. We recommend using of 2-PPA as a biomarker for PGPE exposures.
Keywords
Toxicokinetics, Chemical exposure, Blood absorption, Urinary elimination, Organic solvents
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ISBN
ISSN
1382-6689
1872-7077
1872-7077
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Hybrid
License
Citation
De Luca, H. P., Borgatta, M., Werner, S., Wild, P., Gludic, S. L., Suter-Dick, L., & Hopf, N. B. (2025). In vitro and in vivo evaluation of propylene glycol ethers metabolism in humans. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 118, 104795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2025.104795