Skip to main content
Log in

Urinary mercapturic acid excretion as a biological parameter of exposure to alkylating agents

  • Published:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Mercapturic acid derivatives or other thioethers can be considered as the endproducts of the metabolic detoxification of possibly alkylating agents. It is proposed that the appearance of these metabolites in the urine can be used as an indicator of exposure of the organism to such toxic compounds. A simple, practical procedure for determination of thioethers in urine samples is described. Employees of chemical and metal industries have been compared with respect to their urinary thioether concentrations. It was found that chemical workers excreted more thioether compounds than persons engaged in metal industry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agrup, G., Falck, B., Fyge, K., Rorsman, H., Rosengren, A.M., Rosengren, E.: Excretion of 5-S-cysteinyl-dopa in the urine of healthy subjects. Acta derm.-venereol 55, 7–9 (1975)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boyland, E.: Mercapturic acid conjugation. In: Handbook of Exp. Pharmac. (Eds. B.B. Brodie and J.R. Gilette) Vol. 28, II, p. 584–608, Springer Berlin: 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Cagen, L.M., Pisano, J.J., Ketley, J.N., Habig, W.H., Jakoby, W.B.: The conjugation of prostaglandin A1 and glutathione catalyzed by homogeneous glutathione -S- transferases from human and rat liver. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 398, 205–208 (1975)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elce, J.S., Chandra, J.: Estrogen mercapturic acids in the adult male rat. Steroids 22, 699–705 (1973)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellman, G.L.: Tissue sulfhydryl groups. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 82, 70–77 (1959)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gorter, E., de Graaff, W.C.: In: Klinische Diagnostiek, p. 440, Leiden: Stenfert Kroese N.V. 1955

    Google Scholar 

  • Jerina, D.M., Daly, J.W.: Arene oxides: a new aspect of drug metabolism. Science 185, 573–581 (1974)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jocelyn, P.C.: Biochemistry of the SH-group. p. 216 New York: Acad. Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J.A.: Carcinogenesis by chemicals: an overview. Cancer Res. 30, 559–576 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, J.R., Jollow, D.J.: Role of metabolic activation in chemical carcinogenesis and in drug-induced hepatic injury. In: Drugs and the Liver. (Eds. W. Gerok and K. Sickinger) p. 395–416; 3rd Int. Symp. Freiburg, Schattauer Stuttgart: 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryser, H.J.P.: Chemical Carcinigenesis. New Engl. J. Med. 285, 721–734 (1971)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sims, P., Grover, P.L.: Epoxides in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism and carcinogenesis. In: Advances in Cancer Research (Eds. G. Klein and S. Weinhouse) Vol. 20, p. 166–262 New York: Acad. Press, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J.L.: Biochemistry of mercapturic acid formation. In: Metabolic conjugation and metabolic hydrolysis (Ed. W.H. Fishman), Vol. II, p. 261–299, New York: Acad. Press 1970

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seutter-Berlage, F., van Dorp, H.L., Kosse, H.G.J. et al. Urinary mercapturic acid excretion as a biological parameter of exposure to alkylating agents. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 39, 45–51 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381551

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381551

Key words

Navigation