Identification of a hydroxy metabolite of diflunisal in rat and human urine.

1. A new metabolite of diflunisal, a hydroxy derivative, has been identified in rat and human urine following administration of diflunisal. 2. This hydroxy metabolite of diflunisal is excreted in urine of both species as a polar conjugate, most likely a sulphate. 3. Attempts to isolate the polar conjugate in pure form were unsuccessful due to its rapid hydrolysis in the presence of acid, and organic solvents such as diethyl ether. Its breakdown product, however, was more stable and was isolated and purified by semi-preparative h.p.l.c. Unequivocal identification as 3-hydroxy-diflunisal (i.e. hydroxylation in position 3 of the salicylic acid ring) was accomplished by means of FAB-mass spectrometry and n.m.r. spectroscopy. 4. The contribution of this oxidative metabolic pathway to the overall elimination scheme of diflunisal is more important in rat than in man. Gunn rats excrete more of the hydroxy diflunisal conjugate in urine (20-30% of a 50 mg/kg i.v. dose of diflunisal) than Wistar rats. In healthy humans, hydroxylation of diflunisal contributes only to a small extent to the overall biotransformation of diflunisal.