Urinary excretion of inorganic sulfate, ester sulfate, total sulfur and taurine in cancer patients.

The urinary excretion of inorganic sulfate, ester sulfate, taurine and total sulfur has been estimated in 18 patients with malignancy, and compared with those of an age-matched reference group. The absolute amount of inorganic sulfate was significantly lower in the cancer group, whereas an increased ester sulfate excretion was observed. Reduced excretion of total sulfate (inorganic plus ester sulfate) and increased excretion of "neutral sulfur" (total sulfur minus total sulfate) in the cancer group was calculated from these data. If these values were recalculated with respect to creatinine, no significant differences were found for inorganic and total sulfate between the two patient groups, whereas ester sulfate and the "neutral sulfur" fractions were still increased. The enlarged "neutral sulfur" could to a large extent be explained by an increased excretion of taurine. The mechanism behind these findings is discussed.