The role of intestinal flora in metabolism of phenolic sulfate esters.

Arylsulfotransferase activity was found in the feces of human (14.74 +/- 2.674) and rat (7.37 +/- 1.126 mumol/hr/g wet feces). In the case of the rat, arylsulfotransferase activity was markedly and rapidly decreased by the treatment with antibiotics mixture, but restored to the original activity 3 weeks after stopping the administration of antibiotics. The excretion of the sulfate esters derived from p-nitrophenylsulfate was enhanced by the administration of acetaminophen but not by the treatment with antibiotics. Furthermore, in rats treated with antibiotics, inorganic sulfate excretion was severely decreased. When only acetaminophen was administered, the excretion of acetaminophen-O-sulfate showed a 10-15% decrease in rats treated with antibiotics compared with conventional rat.