Studies in detoxication. 38. The metabolism of benzene. (a) The determination of phenylmercapturic acid in urine. (b) Mercapturic acid excretion by rabbits receiving benzene

Abstract

The presence of phenylmercapturic acid in rabbit urine after admn. of benzene was estimated by a specific turbidimetric method of estimation, based on the formation of phenylmercuric mercaptide from phenylmercapturic acid by alkaline hydrolysis. The iodometric method for the detn. of mercapturic acid was shown to be influenced by diet and by hydroxyquinol, a metabolite of benzene. It may give high results when small amts. of mercapturic acids are estimated in the urine. The turbidimetric method indicated that about 1% of the benzene fed at a level of 0.5 g./kg. and about 0.8% at a level of 1 g./kg. was excreted in the urine as phenylmercapturic acid 2-3 days after dosing. Some arylcysteines and mercapturic acids were synthesized and their u. -v. absorption spectra recorded.