Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of penicillamine in rats -- an overview.

Penicillamine, a fairly stable mercaptoamino acid, undergoes virtually no metabolic degradation in mammals. The substance, especially the L-form, is taken up by most organs, in particular, by those with high collagen content. L-penicillamine shows more affinity for the mature collagen fraction than does D-penicillamine, which is distributed almost equally between the 2 immature fractions. Both enantiomers are bound to plasma proteins, especially to albumin, through S-S bridges. Penicillamine enhances renal copper excretion in normal, as well as in copper-loaded, man and animals. Results reported concerning other trace elements are contradictory.