The biochemistry of organotin compounds. The conversion of tetraethyltin into triethyltin in mammals

Abstract

Triethyltin was detected in the tissues of rabbits and rats given tetraethyltin intravenously. The chemical behavior of the compound found in the tissues is compared with a pure sample of triethyltin and the 2 are almost identical. Brain slices prepared from rats given tetraethyltin show a lowered metabolism in vitro similar to that of brain slices from rats given triethyltin. Tetraethyltin added to brain slices in vitro is without effect. Examination of various tissue slices for their ability to convert tetraethyltin into triethyltin shows the liver to be the most active organ. The converting system is in the microsomes plus soluble material of liver cells. It requires nicotinamide, Mg, SO4 and triphosphopyridine nucleotide for maximal activity and is inhibited by lack of O2 and by SKF 525-A (2-diethylaminoethyldiphenylpropylacetate hydrochloride).