Pharmacokinetics and reversible biotransformation of sulfinpyrazone and its metabolites in rabbits. I. Single-dose study.

In rabbits receiving sulfmpyrazone (SO) and the sulfide metabolite (S) in four separate experiments, the biotransformation of SO into S was found to be reversible, which resulted in approximately parallel terminal disposition profiles for the three major substances in plasma, i.e., SO, S, and the p-OH-sulfide (OH-S). However, differences in disposition kinetics were observed between the intravenous and the peroral administration. The formation of OH-S was independent of both the administered compound and the administration route. The results obtained in the present studies, the previously documented enterohepatic recirculation, and the formation of S by hindgut flora may have implications for studies on sulfinpyrazone, which has been used as an antithrombotic agent.