Elucidation of dimethylsulfone metabolism in rat using a 35S radioisotope tracer method

Abstract The metabolism of dimethylsulfone was quantified for possible medical applications based on the hypothesis that the agent may be metabolized to yield methionine or its metabolites. The 35 S-labeled dimethylsulfone and methionine are orally administrated to rat. Over 80% of the administrated dimethylsulfone is metabolized in the rats tissues, and 59.7–79.1% of it is then excreted into the urine as 35 S-containing metabolites; 3.5–10.3% of the same remains incorporated in the tissues. The uptake of radioactivity, though different from the quantity of methionine in percentage at the retained site, is observed in the blood, spleen and hair, and over 80% of the administered [ 35 S] dimethylsulfone is excreted the same day. Meanwhile, the distribution of the 35 S concentrations of both agents in the rat system suggests that this compound had been metabolized to yield certain sulfur-containing compounds.