Invivo reaction between [60] fullerene and vitamin A in mouse liver

Abstract

An invivo biotransformation of [60] fullerene is observed that does not follow a usual redox metabolic pathway. Following the administration of a single dose of micronized C₆₀ to Swiss mice, C₆₀-retinol and retinyl palmitate adducts were identified in liver by UV/VIS spectroscopy and mass spectrometry after high performance liquid chromatography. NMR investigations of the main biotransformed compound, after invitro synthesis, show cycloaddition of retinol to C₆₀. The observed biotransformation, which proves that C₆₀ does not remain unchanged in the liver as believed previously, also shows that Diels–Alder-like reactions can occur invivo.