Some effects of administering ergothioneine to rats

Abstract
Methods for the detn. of ergothioneine in tissues and urine are described. Contrary to previous reports, when ergothioneine is administered to rats, either orally or subcut., some is rapidly excreted in the urine. Ergothioneine administered in the diet is rapidly accumulated in the liver and more slowly in the erythrocytes. No ergothioneine was detected in the plasma at any time during these expts. Ergothioneine does not exert any antithyroid action in the rat even when tested under conditions which would reveal slight activity.