Studies on the Change of Thioacetazone in vivo. IV

On the Decomposition of Thioacetazone in the Intestinal Tract

Abstract

Decomposition of p-acetylaminobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (thioacetazone) in the digestive tract was examined by paper chromatography. Thioacetazone is decomposed into p-acetylaminobenzaldehyde and thiosemicarbazode in artificial gastric juice and is also deacetylated to form p-aminobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. Its decomposition in the intestines was examined with artificial enteric juice, duodenal mucous enzyme from a rabbit and bovine, and intestinal flora (Escherichia coli communior, Streptococcus faecalis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus). No change occurred in artificial enteric juice and Escherichia coli, but thioacetazone was deacetylated by intestinal mucous enzyme, Strept. faecalis, and Lact. acidophilus. p-Acetylaminobenzaldehyde was also found to be deacetylated by the Lactobacilli.