Comparison of the metabolism of oltipraz in the mouse, rat and monkey and in man. Distribution of the metabolites in each species.

4-Methyl-5-(2-pyrazinyl)-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (35 972 R.P., oltipraz) and its metabolites were extracted from human urine and from mouse, rat and monkey urine using Amberlite XAD4 resin. The metabolites were identified by GLC, TLC and HPLC and isolated by preparative TLC or HPLC. The structures of 11 compounds were determined by spectroscopic examination (MS, IR, NMR). Six of the principal metabolites isolated in sufficient quantity from human urine were administered to the mouse, confirming the metabolic pathways of oltipraz.