Studies in detoxication. 17. The fate of catechol in the rabbit and the characterization of catechol monoglucuronide

Abstract

At dose levels of 100 mg./kg. 70% of orally administered catechol is excreted by the rabbit in 24 hrs. conjugated with glucuronic acid and 18% conjugated with sulfuric acid. A small amt., about 2%, is excreted in the free state. Some catechol is also oxidized to hydroxyquinol which appears in the urine as an ethereal sulfate. The catechol glucuronide was proven to be a monoglucuronide by conversion into crystalline o-meth-oxyphenyltriacetylglucuronide methyl ester which on hydrolysis yielded guaiacol. Evidence is also presented to show that the ethereal sulfate of catechol formed in the rabbit is a monosulfate,.