In polyacrylamide gels, glycerol is frequently added to stop protein-DNA complexes, including nucleosomes, from separating during electrophoresis. Particle mass and charge appear to be the main factors influencing fractionation, including that of glycerol. The separation properties of polyacrylamide gels are significantly impacted by the glycerol concentration used during electrophoresis [1]. Glycerol is an unavoidable byproduct of processing oil or fat, regardless of the method. The fermentation process of glycerol has been thoroughly investigated in a number of Enterobacteriaceae species, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter freundii. The biofuel sector has a viable path to economic viability through the utilization of anaerobic fermentation to transform the plentiful and reasonably priced glycerol streams produced during the synthesis of biodiesel into higher value goods [2].

In rat studies, glycerol causes acute renal failure. Acute renal failure caused by uranyl nitrate or glycoserol decreases the amount of some medications that are transported by the hepatobiliary system, modifies the way that pharmaceuticals are distributed to the central nervous system, and alters the activity of different hepatic microsomal enzymes [3].

Absorption, Distribution and Excretion
Well absorbed orally, poorly absorbed rectally. Studies in humans and animals indicate glycerol is rapidly absorbed in the intestine and the stomach
Approx 7-14% of dose is excreted unchanged in the urine within 2.5 hr.
Glycerin is distributed throughout the blood. Although glycerin generally does not appear in ocular fluids, it may enter the orbital sac when the eye is inflamed, with a consequent decrease in osmotic effect.
Data from studies in humans and animals indicate glycerol is rapidly absorbed in the intestine and the stomach, distributed over the extracellular space and excreted.
After hydrolysis of glycerol esters in the intestine, glycerol is readily absorbed.
Following rectal administration, glycerin and sorbitol are poorly absorbed; colonic evacuation of glycerin rectal suppositories or enemas occurs within 15-60 minutes, while colonic evacuation of oral sorbitol occurs within 24-48 hours.
Following absorbption from GI tract, glycerin is distributed throughout the blood. Although glycerin glycerin generally does not appear in ocular fluids, it may enter the orbital sac when the eye is inflamed, with a consequent decrease in osmotic effect.
For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for GLYCERIN (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

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Metabolism / Metabolites
Glycerin is a substrate for synthesis of triacylglycerols and of phospholipids in the liver and adipose tissue. When fat metabolized as a source of energy, glycerol and fatty acids are released into the bloodstream. Circulating glycerin does not glycate proteins and does not lead to the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). In some organisms, the glycerin component can enter the glycolysis pathway directly to provide a substrate for energy or glucose production. Glycerol must be converted to their intermediate glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate before being used in glycolysis or gluconeogenesis. Glycerol metabolism is regulated by the enzymes glycerol kinase, (cytosolic) NAD+-dependent G3P dehydrogenase and (mitochondrial) FAD-linked G3P dehydrogenase.
Glycerol is phosphorylated to alpha-glycerophosphate by glycerol kinase predominantly in the liver (80-90%) and kidneys (10-20%) and incorporated in the standard metabolic pathways to form glucose and glycogen. Glycerol kinase is also found in intestinal mucosa, brown adipose tissue, lymphatic tissue, lung and pancreas. Glycerol may also be combined with free fatty acids in the liver to form triglycerides (lipogenesis) which are distributed to the adipose tissues. The turnover rate is directly proportional to plasma glycerol levels.
Glycerol is endogenous in the human body. It enters the glycolytic pathway after its conversion in the liver to glycerol-3-phosphate by glycerol kinase. Glycerol-3-phosphate is then oxidized by glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase to yield dihydroxyacetone phosphate, which is then isomerized to glyceral-dehyde-3-phosphate, eventually yielding pyruvic acid.
Glycerol esters are hydrolyzed to glycerol and the corresponding carboxylic acids. The hydrolysis is catalysed by intestinal lipase, which attacks the ester bonds at carbons 1 and 3. The ester bond at carbon 2 is more resistant to hydrolysis, possibly because of its stereochemistry and steric hindrance. The beta-monoglyceride can, however, spontaneously isomerise to the alpha-form (3-acylglycerol), permitting further hydrolysis to yield glycerol.
Glycerol, pyruvic acid, and lactic acid are endogenous in humans. Glycerol and pyruvic acid are metabolized completely and are not excreted. ... Glycerol is metabolized via the glycolytic pathway after it has been converted in the liver to glycerol-3-phosphate.
For more Metabolism/Metabolites (Complete) data for GLYCERIN (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

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Biological Half-Life
30 - 45 minutes
Elimination half-life of glycerin is about 30-40 min.

[1]. Pennings S, et al. Effect of glycerol on the separation of nucleosomes and bent DNA in low ionic strengthpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nucleic Acids Res. 1992 Dec 25;20(24):6667-72.
[2]. Yazdani SS, et al. Anaerobic fermentation of glycerol: a path to economic viability for the biofuelsindustry. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2007 Jun;18(3):213-9.
[3]. Huang ZH, et al. Expression and function of P-glycoprotein in rats with glycerol-induced acute renal failure. Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Oct 20;406(3):453-60

Glycerine appears as a colorless to brown colored liquid. Combustible but may require some effort to ignite.
Glycerol is a triol with a structure of propane substituted at positions 1, 2 and 3 by hydroxy groups. It has a role as an osmolyte, a solvent, a detergent, a human metabolite, an algal metabolite, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite, a mouse metabolite and a geroprotector. It is an alditol and a triol.
A trihydroxy sugar alcohol that is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
Glycerol is a metabolite found in or produced by Escherichia coli (strain K12, MG1655).
Glycerin is a Non-Standardized Chemical Allergen. The physiologic effect of glycerin is by means of Increased Histamine Release, and Cell-mediated Immunity, and Increased IgG Production.
Glycerol has been reported in Microchloropsis, Ramalina usnea, and other organisms with data available.
Glycerin is a trihydroxyalcohol with localized osmotic diuretic and laxative effects. Glycerin elevates the blood plasma osmolality thereby extracting water from tissues into interstitial fluid and plasma. This agent also prevents water reabsorption in the proximal tubule in the kidney leading to an increase in water and sodium excretion and a reduction in blood volume. Administered rectally, glycerin exerts a hyperosmotic laxative effect by attracting water into the rectum, thereby relieving constipation. In addition, glycerin is used as a solvent, humectant and vehicle in various pharmaceutical preparations.
Glycerol is an important component of triglycerides (i.e. fats and oils) and of phospholipids. glycerol is a three-carbon substance that forms the backbone of fatty acids in fats. When the body uses stored fat as a source of energy, glycerol and fatty acids are released into the bloodstream. The glycerol component can be converted to glucose by the liver and provides energy for cellular metabolism.
Glycerol is a metabolite found in or produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
A trihydroxy sugar alcohol that is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is used as a solvent, emollient, pharmaceutical agent, or sweetening agent.
See also: Polyglycerin-3 (monomer of); Tobacco Leaf (part of); Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (monomer of) ... View More ...

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Drug Indication
It is used as a solvent, emollient, pharmaceutical agent, and sweetening agent.

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Mechanism of Action
When administered rectally, glycerin exerts a hygroscopic and/or local irritant action, drawing water from the tissues into the feces and reflexively stimulating evacuation. Glycerin decreases intraocular pressure by creating an osmotic gradient between the blood and intraocular fluid, causing fluid to move out of the aqueous and vitreous humors into the bloodstream.
Glycerin (glycerol) and sorbitol are hyperosmotic laxatives.
When administered rectally, glycerin and sorbitol exert a hygroscopic and/or local irritant action, drawing water from the tissues into the feces and reflexly stimulating evacuation. The extent to which the simple physical distention of the rectum and the hygroscopic and/or local irritant actions are responsible for the laxative effects of some of these drugs is not known. Only extremely high oral doses of sorbitol (25 g daily) or glycerin exert laxative action.
/Glycerin/ decreases intraocular pressure by creating an osmotic gradient between the blood and intraocular fluid, causing fluid to move out of the aqueous and vitreous humors into the bloodstream.
The physicochemical effects of a series of alkanols, alkanediols and glycerol on erythrocyte shape and hemolysis at 4 and 20 degrees C were examined. We calculated the dielectric constant of the incubation medium, Ds, and the dielectric constant of the erythrocyte membrane Dm in the presence of organic solutes. The ratio Ds/Dm = -38.48 at 20 degrees C defines the normal biconcave shape in a medium without hemolytic agents. A decrease in Ds/Dm favors externalization or internalization with consequent hemolysis. Alkanols and alkanediols convert biconcave erythrocytes into echinocytes, which is accompanied by an increase in the projected surface area. Glycerol converts biconcave erythrocytes into stomatocytes, which was accompanied by a marginal decrease in the projected surface area. Progressive externalization in alkanols and alkanediols or internalization in glycerol resulted in a decrease in the projected surface area and the formation of smooth spheres. The degree of shape change induced was related to the degree of hemolysis and the ratio Ds/Dm. A decrease in temperature reduced both the degree of shape change and hemolysis. .../Thus/ physicochemical toxicity may be a result of a temperature dependent hydrophobic interaction between the organic solutes and the membrane and is best interpreted by the ability of the solutes to change Ds and Dm.

C3H8O3

92.09

92.047

56-81-5

25618-55-7;26403-55-4

753

Syrupy, rhombic plates
Clear, colorless syrupy liquid
Clear, colorless, ... syrupy liquid or solid (below 64 degrees F) [Note: The solid form melts above 64 degrees F but the liquid form freezes at a much lower temperature].

1.3±0.1 g/cm3

290.0±0.0 °C at 760 mmHg

20 °C(lit.)

160.0±0.0 °C

0.0±1.3 mmHg at 25°C

1.490

-2.32

3

3

2

6

25.2

0

O([H])C([H])(C([H])([H])O[H])C([H])([H])O[H]

PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C3H8O3/c4-1-3(6)2-5/h3-6H,1-2H2

propane-1,2,3-triol

Glycerolum; Glyceritol; Glycerin

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

DMSO : ~100 mg/mL (~1085.89 mM)
H2O : ~100 mg/mL (~1085.89 mM)

Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.

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Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)
*Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil)
Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)]
*Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 5: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin : Saline = 50 : 50 (i.e. 500 μL 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin → 500 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 6: DMSO : PEG300 : castor oil : Saline = 5 : 10 : 20 : 65 (i.e. 50 μL DMSO → 100 μLPEG300 → 200 μL castor oil → 650 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 7: Ethanol : Cremophor : Saline = 10： 10 : 80 (i.e. 100 μL Ethanol → 100 μL Cremophor → 800 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 8: Dissolve in Cremophor/Ethanol (50 : 50), then diluted by Saline
Injection Formulation 9: EtOH : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 900 μL Corn oil)
Injection Formulation 10: EtOH : PEG300：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)

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Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium)
Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400
Oral Formulation 4: Suspend in 0.2% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 5: Dissolve in 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 6: Mixing with food powders

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Note: Please be aware that the above formulations are for reference only. InvivoChem strongly recommends customers to read literature methods/protocols carefully before determining which formulation you should use for in vivo studies, as different compounds have different solubility properties and have to be formulated differently.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)