To evaluate the question of whether or not paclitaxel affects the distribution and metabolism of chemical carcinogens such as 2-aminofluorene (AF) on Sprague-Dawley rats were examined. The AF, acetylated AF and AF metabolites were determined and examined by using high performance liquid chromatography. After having received AF only, AF with paclitaxel at the same time and paclitaxel pretreated for 24 h then treated with AF for 24 h, urine, stool and tissues such as liver, kidneys, stomach, colon, bladder and blood were collected and assayed for AF and its metabolites. Compared to the control group, paclitaxel caused an increase of the metabolites excreted in urine and stool. The major metabolite excreted in urine and stool was 9-OH-AAF. The liver is the major metabolism center and the major residual metabolite of AF in the liver was also 9-OH-AAF.
