Biological Conversion of n-Butyl Penicillin into a Chemotherapeutically Active Substance

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

1. A subcutaneous injection of butyl penicillin conferred marked protection against hemolytic streptococcal infections in the mouse. 2. Subcutaneous injections of 200 mg exerted no appreciable effect on gonococcal infections in 2 men. 3. Following subcutaneous injections of butyl penicillin into the dog, the monkey, and man, appreciable quantities of penicillin were not recovered in the blood or urine. 4. The subcutaneous injection of from 100 to 200 mg of butyl penicillin produced no evidences of marked toxicity in the dog or the monkey. Two men reacted with evidences of moderate toxicity. 5. The tissues of the mouse can convert the chemother-apeutically inactive butyl penicillin into a chemotherapeutically active substance, presumably penicillin. The tissues of man, the monkey, and the dog cannot effect this conversion at an appreciable rate.