Evidence for the Detoxication of Diphenyl Through a Sulfur Mechanism

Abstract

Naphthalene 1 , 2 and anthracene 3 as well as monohalogenated benzenes 4 , 5 fed to animals are converted in part to mercapturic acids. Increased neutral sulfur excretion following the administration of benzene 6 , 7 and phenanthrene 7 seems to indicate that these hydrocarbons are similarly detoxicated. Growth of rats fed a casein-low ration is inhibited by incorporation in the diet of bromobenzene, 5 naphthalene, 8 phenanthrene, 9 certain complex hydrocarbons—both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic, 10 or other substances. 11 , 12 This deficiency may be relieved by simultaneous administration of dl-methionine or of I-cystine and certain of its derivatives. Presumably hydrocarbons produce a deficiency in the sulfur-containing amino acids available to the organism, because of the preferential utilization of these acids for detoxication reactions. Thus added evidence is available for mercapturic acid formation by phenanthrene and certain of the more complex hydrocarbons.

The chemical relationship of diphenyl to bromobenzene, and to naphthalene, anthracene, and other aromatic hydrocarbons previously studied suggests the possibility that this substance may be handled similarly by the animal organism. Preliminary results from growth experiments obtained in a study of the fate of this hydrocarbon are now being reported.