Metabolism of thiodiglycol (2,2′-thiobis-ethanol): isolation and identification of urinary metabolites following intraperitoneal administration to rat

Abstract

1. The metabolism of thiodiglycol, 2,2′-thiobis-ethanol, was investigated following i.p. administration to rat.

2. Approximately 90% of the administered dose was excreted in the 0-24-h urine. Four metabolites were isolated by h.p.l.c and identified by mass spectrometry. Structural assignments were confirmed by comparison with authentic synthetic standards.

3. Thiodiglycol sulphoxide was the major metabolite accounting for approximately ≥ 90% of the excreted radioactivity following i.p. injection of ¹³C₄, ³⁵S-thiodiglycol. Thiodiglycol sulphone, S-(2-hydroxyethylthio)acetic acid and S-(2-hydroxy-ethylsulphinyl)acetic acid were identified as minor metabolites.

4. Analysis for thiodiglycol by GC-MS indicated approximately 0.5-1% of the applied dose was excreted unmetabolized.