The metabolic fate of [14C] benzoic acid in protein-energy deficient rats.

The metabolic fate of [14C] benzoic acid administered i.p. to marasmic-kwashiorkor rats has been investigated. Rats fed a normal diet with benzoic acid administered i.p. at 200 mg/kg, excreted the benzoic acid mainly as hippuric acid (99% of 24 h excretion), while marasmic-kwashiorkor rats excreted 62--85% as hippuric acid and 14--37% as the glucuronide conjugate. 2 weeks after repletion metabolism of benzoic acid by the marasmic-kwashiorkor rats on the stock diet had returned to normal; most of the benzoate was excreted as hippuric acid.