Studies on the Change of Thioacetazone in vivo. III

On the Decomposition Products of Thioacetazone Excreted into Urine

Abstract

Separation was attempted of several compounds assumed to be the biological decomposition products of p-acetylaminobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (thioacetazone) by paper chromatography with butanol as a solvent. The separation of thioacetazone, p-aminobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, and semicarbazone was not sufficient. By spraying 10% copper sulfate solution over an area about 7cm. wide from the original spot toward the direction of development, drying in air, and developing the foregoing mixture, both the thiosemicarbazones remained in the original spot while the semicarbazone alone moved upward, giving a characteristic spot. Therefore, biological decomposition products of thioacetazone in the urine were examined by paper chromatography with butanol as a solvent and spraying copper sulfate solution. It was found that when thioacetazone powder is administered orally, p-acetylaminobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, and glucuronic acid thiosemicarbazone are detected in the urine, while the administration of enteric-coated tablets resulted in the detection of p-aminobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone in the urine, which was not found when the powder was administered, indicating that thioacetazone is deacetylated when absorbed through the intestines.