Diethyldithiocarbamic Acid‐Methyl Ester Distribution, Elimination, and LD50 in the Rat after Intraperitoneal Administration

Abstract

Following i.p. administration of 35S-diethyldithiocarbamic acid-methyl ester [used in the treatment of alcoholism] (35S DDTC-Me) to male rats, maximal total radioactivity (35S) in most tissues was found 1 h after dosing. Twelve h after i.p. 35S DDTC-Me, most of the total radioactivity was found in urine. The feces accounted for approximately 15% of the total radioactivity. No radioactivity was detected in the breath. The kidney exhibited the greatest uptake of radioactivity, while the least uptake was found in the brain and heart. Most of the radioactivity in the tissues was due to the inorganic sulfate. 35S DDTC-glucuronide was found in the gastrointestinal tract and feces. The LD50 for DDTC-Me given i.p. to male rats and mice was 167 and 263 mg/kg, respectively. Symptoms of toxicity preceeding death of the animals resembled those symptoms observed with disulfiram toxicity.