Methanethiol metabolism in the rat.

Methanethiol is associated with hepatic failure in humans and the synergistic action of methanethiol, ammonia and octanoate is sufficient to account for the coma of experimental hepatic necrosis. The sulfur atom of methanethiol is eliminated from the body as urinary sulfate at a rate which is approximated by a hyperbola such that 94% is excreted within 21 h after administration. Rats in octanoate or hepatic coma excreted only little sulfate in their urine.