URINARY EXCRETION PRODUCTS OF MENADIONE (VITAMIN K3)

Abstract

Radioactive vit. K3 (2_methyl-Cl4_1,4_naphthoquinone) was administered to rats and the radioactive urinary products separated by paper chromatography and identified by u..v. absorption spectra and chemical analyses. Over the dosage range of 2.6 to 11.0 mg./kg. of body wt., 2_methyl-Cl4_l,4_naphthoquinone was excreted, in order of decreasing relative concns. as the diglucuronide, the monosulfate, and a partially identified derivative of the vit. Following the admn. of vit. K3, these products were excreted by normal rats, a dicumarol-poisoned rat, and a guinea pig. The relative concns. in the urine of the diglucuronide and the monosulfate varied directly with the size of dose of vit. K3. At these dosages, little or no vit. K3 is excreted in urine as such.