title: Metabolism and distribution of 3,4-epithiobutanenitrile in the rat.
abstract: The metabolism and distribution of [2-14C]- and 35S-labelled 3,4-epithiobutanenitrile (4ETN), a thiirane occurring naturally in cruciferous vegetables, was studied in the rat. A dose of c. 11 mg 4ETN/kg body weight was rapidly transformed into water-soluble compounds and was mainly excreted in the urine, irrespective of the route of administration (oral or ip). The main metabolite in the urine was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as a mercapturic acid derivative. Low residual radioactivity demonstrated in organs 72 hr after administration was consistent with an earlier report that the thiirane may function as a weak biological alkylating agent.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008297:Male; D009570:Nitriles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D009570:Nitriles; C040640:3,4-epithiobutanenitrile