Investigation on the metabolic degradation of the side chain of furazolidone.

The investigation was aimed at providing insight into the side chain metabolism of furazolidone in mice. The agents used in the experiments were furazolidone, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone, oxazolidinone, nitrofurantoin, 3-aminohydantoin and hydantoin, administered intraperitoneally at five equimolar doses ranging from 0.178 to 0.888 mmol/kg. The parameters investigated included ethane and ethylene expiration, formation of malondialdehyde and total glutathione content in the liver. Ethylene expiration was found to be strongly enhanced by aminooxazolidinone and slightly increased by furazolidone. Ethane expiration was increased after aminooxazolidinone administration. Malondialdehyde formation was not affected by any of the agents used. Total glutathione was decreased by furazolidone and nitrofurantoin. The above findings indicate that, in vivo, the azomethine linkage of the side chain of furazolidone hydrolyses to form 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone, subsequently cleaved to ethylene.