FATE OF DIPROPYL SULFIDE AND DIPROPYL SULFOXIDE IN RAT

1. Dipropyl [S-35]-sulphide and dipropyl [S-35]-sulphoxide were admini stered by gavage (4.24 mM/4 ml/kg body wt) to adult male Wistar rats f ollowing an overnight fast. 2. Urine was the major route of excretion for both compounds, with more radioactivity appearing during the secon d day (c. 43%) than the first (c. 26%). Only small amounts were found in the faeces (c. 5%). Biliary excretion played an important role with substantial amounts of the dose (c. 25%) passing through the bile duc t during 0-48 h. Following ingestion of the sulphide large quantities of radioactivity (18%) were detected in exhaled air. Near total recove ries were achieved for both compounds, although 13% of the radioactivi ty remained within the carcass 3 days after administration of the sulp hoxide. 3. Absorption and elimination half-lives were in the region of 5 and 8h, respectively, for both compounds, with the sulphoxide plasm a profile showing a prolonged plateau region. 4. Metabolism was limite d to oxidation of the sulphur with the formation of the sulphoxide and sulphone, and trace amounts of inorganic sulphate.