The effect of configuration of the sulphate moiety on the metabolism of potassium octan-2-sulphate in the rat.

1. A comparison was made of the metabolism of potassium D-(+)-octan 2-[35S]sulphate and potassium L-(-)-octan-2-[35S]sulphate in the rat. 2. Following administration of either enantiomer orally or i.v. the major proportion of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine within 24 h. When either enantiomer was administered i.v. to rats with bile-duct and ureter cannulae, the majority of the radioactivity was eliminated in the urine within six hours with only small amounts in bile. 3. Both enantiomers were extensively degraded in vivo. The metabolic products were identical with those previously reported (Maggs et al. 1982). 4. The major difference in the metabolite patterns was with respect to the relative amounts of hexanoate-5-sulphate: male and female urines contained approx. twice as much of this metabolite when the D-(+)-isomer was administered. In addition, isomer and sex-linked differences were observed with respect to the amounts of octanoate-7-sulphate.