Disposition of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-nitrophenol (DBNP), a submarine atmosphere contaminant, in male Sprague–Dawley rats

The phenol 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-nitrophenol (DBNP) is a contaminant found onboard submarines and is formed by the nitration of an antioxidant present in turbine lubricating oil TEP 2190. DBNP has been found on submarine interior surfaces, on eating utensils and dishes, and on the skin of submariners. DBNP exposure is a potential health concern because it is an uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Adult male rats were dosed once by oral gavage with 15 or 40 mg/kg DBNP mixed with 14C-DBNP in kanola oil and 0.8% v/v DMSO (n=16/group). The distribution of 14C in major tissues was measured over time for up to 240 h post-dose. Unexpectedly, 6/16 (40%) of the rats gavaged with 40 mg/kg DBNP died within 24 h of dosing. Prostration, no auditory startle response, reduced locomotor activity, and muscular rigidity persisted in survivors for up to 8 days after dosing. For animals dosed with 15 mg/kg DBNP, radioactivity levels were significantly elevated in the following tissues 24 h after dosing: fat>>>liver>kidneys>heart>lungs>brain>striated muscle>spleen. Radioactivity levels were elevated for fat, liver, kidney, heart, and lungs of animals euthanized 144 h post-dosing and in the liver of animals euthanized 240 h post-dosing. These findings suggest that DBNP may accumulate in the body as a result of continuous or repeat exposures of short interval to DBNP.